April 1909

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

APRIL, 1909.

(Photo of)

REV. CAPEL WOLSELEY,

CURATE OF SEAGOE, 1847—1859.

Through the kindness of Mrs. Wolseley, of Finchley, London, widow of Major Wolseley, and daughter of the late Rev. Capel Wolseley, we are enabled to present our readers with this interesting photograph.

The Rev. Capel Wolseley was Curate of Seagoe from March, 1847, to March, 1859, a period of twelve years.

He was preceded in the Curacy by the Rev. Simon Foot, and was succeeded by the Rev. Wm. St. George.

The photograph was taken at the time when Mr. Wolseley became Curate of the Parish. The present Sir Capel Wolseley, Bart., is a grandson of the Rev. Capel Wolseley. Mr Wolseley was born in the year 1811, and died at Southsea, England, in 1885. During his tenure of the Curacy of Seagoe he established a most efficient Sunday School, which in later years developed into our present system of Morning and Afternoon Sunday Schools. The following interesting records of Mr. Wolseley's stay in Seagoe have been kindly supplied by Mrs. Wolseley and by Mr. Atkinson, of Bannfoot.

13th July, 1852

DEARLY BELOVED PASTOR,

We, the Teachers of Seagoe Sunday School, beg most respectfully to present you with this Bible, as a small tribute of our affectionate regard for you, and although we have ample space for eulogizing, yet we forbear; for we know that whatever of good is done on the earth, the Lord Himself doeth it, therefore, most heartily, give we the praise and glory to Him only to whom it is due.

Unitedly do we offer our devout prayer to the Great Head of the Church, that He may bless your

household with continual peace, and grant you many and happy days over us, “the sheep of His pasture," and that He may so recognize and bless your ministerial labours amongst us, that we may be your “Crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus.” Amen.

We remain, dearly beloved Pastor, yours most respectfully,

THE TEACHERS OF SEAGOE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

[The Rev. C, Wolseley's reply to the above Address from the Teachers of Seagoe Sunday School.]

Seagoe Cottage, 14th July, 1852.

MY DEAR FRIENDS,

To meet with kindness in word and deed from the Teachers of the Sunday School could not have surprised me at any time, because I have so often experienced it. But I could not have anticipated so costly an expression of it as that which I have now received. Permit me to offer you my sincere thanks for your precious gift of the "Word of Life." May the Lord of Heaven and Earth hear your prayer in my behalf that your gift may be twice blessed. May He fill the fountain that yourselves may drink. May the Book be a lantern to my feet, that the light may be a guide to your footsteps also. May the blessed Saviour strengthen the golden cord that binds us to Himself and to one another, that we may love Him more and serve Him better for His own Name's sake. Amen - I remain, your affectionate friend in Christ,

CAPEL WOLSELEY, Curate of Seagoe.

EASTER, 1909.

Services during Holy Week

Services will be held in the Parish Church each evening during Holy Week beginning on Monday, April 5th. The Services will be at 8 p.m, and the following are the subjects of the addresses to be given:—

Monday “Gethsemane."

Tuesday “The Betrayal."

Wednesday “The Last Supper.’,

Thursday "The Purple Robe.',

Good Friday - Services, Morning 11-30 a.m.,

Evening 8 p m.

Subject, "The Crucifixion."

Easter Day - 8 a.m. Holy Communion.

11-30 a.m. Morning Prayer and Holy Communion.

3-30 p.m. Children's Service.

7 p m. Evening Prayer.

N.B. - The Collections at all the Services on Easter Day will be in aid of our Sunday School Funds.

Small Penny Collecting Cards, each holding One Shilling when filled, will be issued to the Children of the Sunday Schools, on Sunday, April 4th, and will be placed on the Plates by the children and presented at the Offertory at the Afternoon Children's Service on Easter Day.

Our Afternoon Sunday School Lessons for April are on the subjects of Palm Sunday, The Resurrection and The Captivity.

Baptisms.

“There's a Friend for little children

Above the bright blue sky."

Mar. 1^st - Joseph, son of James and Alice Jane Craig.

“ 6^th - George. son of Wm. Edward and Elizabeth McCann.

“ 6^th - Maud, daughter of Richard and Margaret Best,

“ 23^rd - Hannah Jane, daughter of William and Hannah Jane Thompson,

Burials,

"And oh! when in the hour of death,

I bow to thy decree,

Jesus receive my parting breath;

Good Lord, remember me.”

Mar. 7^th - George Brown, Lurgan, aged 54 years.

“ “ James Pollock, Drumgor, aged 60 years.

“ 15^th - Mabel R. Cordner, Edenderry, aged 20 years.

“ Margaret Jane Warnock, Edenderry, aged 68 years.

“ 20^th - lsabella Stoops, Belfast, aged 48 years.

We announce, with much regret, the death of Mrs.Warnock, of Bridge Street, who passed to her

Eternal Rest on March 13th, and was interred in Drumcree Churchyard. Mrs. Warnock had been ill

for a long time, but bore the burden of her suffering with a cheerful and uncomplaining patience. Her faith in her Divine Redeemer sustained her to the very end. We sympathise deeply with her bereaved husband and family.

We have also to mourn the loss of another parishioner, Mabel Cordner. She has been called away just on the very threshold of Life. Her peaceful trust in the merits of her Saviour brightened the dark hour of sickness and death,

We would offer here our sympathy also to Mr. Stoops, of Victoria Street, Belfast, on the death of his wife, who was interred in Seagoe Churchyard, on Saturday, March 20th. Mr. Stoops, though not a resident in Seagoe Parish, has many relatives here, and much sympathy has been expressed with him in his bereavement.

Offertories for March,

“Whatever, Lord, we lend to Thee,

Repaid a thousand fold will be."

Morning. Evening.

£ s. d. £ s. d.

March 7^th - 2nd S. in Lent, 1 0 5 0 8 10

“ 14^th - 3rd S. in Lent, 1 16 8 0 8 9

“ 21^st - 4th S. in Lent, 1 10 4 0 9 9

“ 28^th - 5th S. in Lent, 1 6 3 0 13 9

Week Days 0 4 1 0 17 2

Total £4 17 9 £2 18 3

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Auxiliary Fund,

[The Hon. Treasurer of Seagoe Select Vestry, Mr, W. R. Atkinson, sends us the following important notice for insertion.]

The first collection for this fund was in 1905, consequently this is the fifth and last year. In the interval a number of subscribers have not maintained their full payments, and some have dropped out after making one or more payments. The Assessment on the Parish is £300 and the original promises just covered this, so that there is no room for defaulters, and it is expected that all who have omitted payments in the yearly collections will arrange with the Collectors to make up the deficiencies when called on this year. The Lord Bishop recently expressed the hope that the contribution to the fund from this diocese would be fully completed. This year's collection is now due and should be paid, together with arrears before 1st June.

The Easter Vestry,

The Annual Meeting of the Registered Vestrymen of the Parish will be held (D. V.) on Thursday, April 15th, in Seagoe School at 7.30 p.m. Every man in the Parish who has subscribed at least 2/6 to the Sustentation Fund and has signed the declaration of Church Membership is eligible to attend the meeting and to vote for the election of the new Select Vestry for 1909-10. We hope a very large number will attend this important gathering of the Churchmen of Seagoe Parish and show by their presence that they are actively interested in the welfare of the Church,

Hacknahay School.

The application made to the Commissioners of National Education on behalf of Hacknahay School has, we are glad to say, been favourably received, and we believe that before long the school will be

recognised by the National Board. The Church of Ireland in Seagoe Parish numbers 75 per cent of the Protestant school-going population and possesses at present but one National School. However it seems as if this anomalous state of things will soon be partially remedied.

Concert in Edenderry-

On Thursday, March 25th, the children of Seagoe School gave a repetition of the Programme of their recent Concert in Edenderry Parochial Hall. Every item was splendidly done, and called forth loud applause. The Rector at the close thanked the Teachers and Children for their efforts, and congratulated them on their success. Mr. Chambers, Principal of Seagoe School, presided at the organ. The proceeds of the Concert, which was largely attended, are for the support of the Parochial Hall.

Band of Hope-

Hacknahay.

On March 4th the second Temperance Meeting, for which the school children provided the programme, was held in Hacknahay School, and both the quality of the entertainment and the attendance of the public were admirable. The children attending the school showed the careful teaching they had received under Miss Wilson's able tuition by contributing the following songs

"Go and seek the wanderers," “Chiming Bells," “A Sunbeam," " Come and join the Temperance Army." Recitations and dialogues were also given by some of the boys and girls of the school,

In addition to these, we enjoyed songs by Miss Neill and Miss Dickson, and recitations by Miss

Templeton, Miss Best, Miss R. and Miss J. England. During the meeting an address emphasizing the chief aspects of the work was delivered by the Rector. At the close of the evening votes of thanks were passed to all who helped to provide programme, and especially to Miss Wilson, who spared neither time nor pains in training the children.

Edenderry.

The closing meeting of Edenderry Band of Hope was held on March 19th. At the beginning of the programme the keynote of all our Band of Hope work was struck by 13 little boys reciting "Dare to do right," After this songs, recitations and dialogues followed in rich profusion. Lack of space forbids us to give each item the notice it deserves, but a high level was reached by every performer. Songs were rendered by C. and M. Shanks, M. Dickson, M. Flannigan, H. Wright and M. Magee, and Mr. Chambers. A duet was sung by Miss Armstrong and Mr Murray. To the Seagoe School Children we were indebted for two songs, in which they showed decided musical talent. Recitations were given by M. Cox, M. Killow, A. Wilson, M. Livingston, A. Killow, N. Livingston, M. Livingston, Mr. R. Montgomery, Dialogues were done by T. Smith and C. Killow, D. Livingstone, and J. M 'Nally, and M. Livingstone, L. Magee and M. Livingstone. In the course of the proceedings an inspiring address was given by the Rev. F. J. Halahan in which he pointed out the advantages and duties of the "pledge" Votes of thanks to those who had devoted much time and energy to the work of the Society in the past winter, brought this most successful meeting to a close.

Confirmation Cards-

Those who were confirmed at the last Confirmation held in Seagoe Church and who have not yet received their Cards can have them at the Church after the Service on Wednesday evening, April 7th.

We heartily congratulate the “Portadown News" on reaching its fifdieth anniversary.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Old Seagoe Notes.

The "Black" Rain. The Rev. Canon Lett. Rector of Loughbrickland. who is our local leader in

all Antiquarian and Natural History subjects has written a most interesting letter to the “Belfast News Letter" on the recent “black" shower. He says the black matter in the water was most probably soot from the Lancashire Factories and Foundries which hung in a cloud over that district until carried by the easterly wind in the direction of Portadown. On its journey it was mingled with the moisture of the atmosphere, was then carried upward into a region of intense cold where it became frozen and then drifting again into a warmer and lower atmosphere fell in the form of black rain. It does not seem to have fallen south of the Mourne Mountains or much farther east than Lough Neagh. A correspondent says that it fell at Omeath on Carlingford Lough.

Some of our Parishioners going to their work at 5.30 on the morning of the Rain could scarcely find their way owing to the intense darkness. One or two returned home unable to proceed, another instead of turning along the main road at the end of the lane in which he lived walked into the ditch at the far side of the road.

Old Roads.

An interesting method of learning the age of Roads is by observing whether the hedges on each side correspond. If they do, as on the Lurgan Road, the road is of comparatively recent date, if they do not as on the Killycomaine (old Lurgan) Road then the road existed before the country was inhabited by settled people, in fact it must date from the days when the country was inhabited by wandering tribes.

An Interesting Map.

The Government has recently published a very ancient survey Map of Ireland dating from about 1630. It is published by permission of the French Government, the French having captured the only existing copy of it over 200 Years ago, Seagoe Parish is marked on it and the townland of Kilvergan. A remarkable feature in the map is that the River Bann enters the Lough beyond Lurgan instead of flowing between the Parishes of Drumcree and Seagoe. Could the river have changed its course since then or has the surveyor made an extraordinary blunder?

A Curious Name.

ln 1743 a farmer named Janobin Eneas had a holding of 11 acres in Lower Seagoe, but his name does not appear in any of the Seagoe Parochial Registers.

Seagoe Day School.

Seagoe Day School may claim to be the oldest in the country. It was founded by the Rev. Arthur Fforde, Vicar of Seagoe, in the year 1735. It has existed continuously for 174 years,

(A later entry is as follows “see note January 1929, school records from 1713”)

Nature Notes.

The Swallows are due here on April 25 ^th, and the Corncrake on April 28th, but if your eyes and ears are alert you may hear or see them sooner. The Cuckoo comes on April 23rd.

The following are the usual dates on which the summer birds arrive - they are forty in number - but we have only room for a few:- Willow Wren, April 14th; Whitethroat, April 1st; Sandmartin, May 1st; Redstart, May 1st; Chiffchaff, April 28 ^th; Sedgewarbler, May 1st; Sandpiper, April 27th.

We hope none of our boys will rob the birds' nests when they find them. We would remind them that the destruction of young birds at this season is an offence punishable by law.

Primroses and Violets are the flowers of the month. There are 5 kinds of wild Primrose, but these include the Cowslip which is a variant of the Primrose family, The old plants bloom first, and the young much later Primroses growing in dry soil have narrow petals.

Items.

All copies of last month's issue were sold.

A Cricket Club has been formed in Portadown.

Copies of Seagoe Sunday School Calendar can now be had. Price ½d per copy.

A handsome Teacher's Desk has been made for Seagoe Day School.

A Service was held in Levaghery School on Monday, March 29th.

Church Attendance Cards for the new quarter will be issued on Sunday next.

The Seagoe Harriers are training for the Easter Monday Sports.

Next month in our Old Seagoe Notes we hope to give some interesting particulars regarding Seagoe during the Commonwealth, 1650.

The Rev E. P. Riddall preached in Seagoe Church on Sunday, March 28th, at Morning and Evening Prayer on behalf of the Hibernian Bible Society.

Brighten your homes by sowing flower seeds in your gardens. Virginia creepers and climbing Roses can be had very cheap at McGredy's Nurseries.

The Standard carried behind the King's carriage at his Coronation, has been presented by Lord Clanwilliam to Dromore Cathedral.

The Tuesday Men's Bible Classes in Hacknahay, Drumgor, and Carne concluded on Tuesday, March

30th.

Miss Mullin, the newly-appointed Principal of Breagh School (Drumcree Parish) kindly assisted in Hacknahay School during Miss Wilson's absence Owing to a severe cold.