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the evening was from the works of the great masters – Beethoven, Mozart, Mendelsohn, Handel, Haydn, and Schumann – the concert was very much enjoyed by all. The amount raised at the door was £8 and doubled later with donations. The total amount realised would support a child for a year in one of the “Homes” connected with the Mission. The proceeds of the latter went to Dr Barnardo’s Home. The sermon of the month “Rescue the Perishing”.
The March magazine 1877 Vol VII3 of Home Words. Lord Bangor wished to have a library with instructive books religious and secular. In some future numbers we propose making a few observations on the “Objects of Reading”. The books can be obtained from Mr Lugate at the School House Ballyculter. Wrecks and Casualties Under this heading “The Times” daily records the fate of many vessels and their crews, and with the still more alarming notice of “Disasters at Sea”, we read of numbers of ships leaving their ports and never afterwards being heard of. It is sad to reflect upon all the hearts and hearths which are thus left anxious and mourning. The Psalmist truly says, “They that go down to the sea in ships, and do business in great waters, these see the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep”. Such accidents have been more than usually prevalent this winter in consequence of the continuous and excessive storms of wind and rain, surrounded as this locality is by the sea, we can, alas! not reckon our shores as exempt from these wrecks, which happily however have caused no loss of life. Amongst those was that of a large German vessel on voyage from China to Glasgow with a valuable cargo of sugar. She had been out 115 days, and although provided with a pilot, taken on board at Queenstown, went ashore early in the morning on Kearney point, and three hours afterwards the ship and cargo were totally lost. The crew numbering fourteen were gallantly and providentially rescued by five men from Tara coastguard station, who risked their own lives through a tremendous sea in a small boat, which on its return from the ship almost sank with the additional weight. A coasting vessel went ashore near Killard Point, and another German vessel was lost close to the entrance of our Lough, the owner of which said that she had been wrecked on account of there being no light although a lighthouse tower was there. Frequent casualties and loss of lives have occurred from the same cause. This structure on Rock Angus was erected at a large cost in 1853, but still is in darkness though earnest endeavours are constantly being made in vain, by the shipping interest with the Board of Trade and other authorities, to obtain for the entrance of this important harbour of refuge the suitable light. Within the eight years ending December 31st 1874, 3,357 vessels have entered this harbour for trade and 1,577 for shelter, in tonnage amounting to 137,952. Notwithstanding this fact, Strangford Lough and harbour are not of sufficient consequence to be properly lighted; but all those persons who are competent to judge in the matter, affirm that it is absolutely necessary for the preservation of ships and lives that the demands of our harbour should receive the same attention as is granted to almost every other one in this maritime country. Sad Case of a Distressed Family. We are often called upon to show prayerful sympathy for those who toil on the great deep. They are exposed to the fury of the storm and the dangers of the sea; and the 31