April 1912

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

APRIL 1912,

Easter Services, 1912.

THE approach of Easter brings to the minds of

Christian people many sacred and solemn events

in the earthly life of our Lord. During the week

before Easter we commemorate the Last Supper, the

Betrayal, the Agony in Gethsemane, the Trial, and

the Crucifixion. Each day in that week marks a

successive stage in the Suffering and Passion of our

Lord. In order to help our people to realize all

that these events mean and to assist those amongst

us who desire to spend this solemn time in the spirit

of worship, a Service will be held in the Parish

Church, on each evening of the week (except

Saturday) at 8 o'clock; and addresses will be given

on special subjects connected with our Lord's Passion

as follows:—

Monday, April 1st, “The Garden."

Tuesday, 2nd, “The Upper Room."

Wednesday, 3rd. “The High Priest's House,"

Thursday 4th, “The Hall of Judgment."

Good Friday, 11-30 a.m., "Calvary."

8 p m., “The Sepulchre."

EASTER DAY.

8 a.m., Holy Communion.

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

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

7 p.m., Evening Prayer and Sermon.

The offerings at all the Services on Easter Day

will be given to the support of the Sunday Schools

of the Parish. There are two Morning Schools and

seven Afternoon Schools held every Sunday, attended

by 700 children. There are nine Superintendents

and 60 Teachers in charge of the Schools, which are

held in seven centres in the Parish. 450 Books and

Prizes were awarded 'this year to the pupils attending

the Morning and Afternoon Schools, of which 400

were given to children who had attended over 40

Sundays during the year 1911. Special Courses of

Lessons are taught each Sunday in the Morning and

Afternoon, and each Teacher receives outline notes

of each Sunday's Lessons. The attendance of the

children of the Parish at the Parish Church are encouraged

by a special system of Church Attendance Cards.

On the Sunday before Easter, March 31st, a special Sermon

on “Missionary Aspects of Holy Communion” will be

preached by the Rev W. O'Connor at evening prayer.

At Morning Prayer on the same day Mr. O’Connor

will preach on " The Church in Canada” a subject

which ought to be of much interest to those have

relatives in that country.

At the District Services in Drumgor and Tamnificarbet

on Easter Day special addresses will be given

and collections will be made on behalf' of the Parish

Sunday Schools. These services are, held at 7 o'clock.

Hacknahay Day School.

The Rev. Canon Clarke, M.A., Rector of Killead,

Church Education Inspector for the Diocese, visited

Hacknahay School on Tuesday, March 5th, and

carefully examined the children in all branches of

knowledge, both sacred and secular. Inspector

Clarke has had a long experience in the examination

of Schools in the North of Ireland, and his kindly

manner and searching questions revealed a very

satisfactory standard of knowledge among the pupils

present. The examination extended over three

hours. The Rector and the Rev. G. Bloomer were

present, and the children were in charge of Miss

Dickson, the Principal of the School, who has now

been engaged in teaching in the School since it was

re-opened in August, 1908. The examination proved

that the children have been carefully taught in all

branches of knowledge, and the work displayed by

some of the more advanced pupils would bear favourable

comparison with that of the most efficient of the

National Board Schools.

The Lent Services,

The special services held during Lent were well

attended. and the special subjects dealt with on

Sunday evenings proved very useful. The preachers

On Wednesday evenings were the Rev. A. Miller

(Clonduff), Rev. A. J. Murray (Belfast), Rev. F. J.

Hackett (Kildollah), Rev. J. Bloomer (Stewartstown),

and the Rev. Bedell Stanford (Belfast).

Condolence.

We offer sincere sympathy to those families in the

Parish who have suffered bereavement during the

past month. Jane Mayes, John Malcomson, and

William Simpson have passed to their eternal rest.

Mrs. Mayes, of Levaghery, had been ailing for a long

time, and had suffered much. John Malcomson, of

Joseph Street, was also called upon to endure much

pain. He had for many years been a worker on the

G. N. R, and was much respected.

The death of William Simpson, of Foundry Street;

was very sad. He had been engaged at his work up

to within a week of his death. The serious illness

of his little boy had caused him much anxiety, and

possibly made him more susceptible to the illness

which proved fatal. He had been up to recently a

regular attender at the Men's Bible Class in Edenderry,

and was very popular with all who knew him.

There is much sympathy with Mrs. Simpson in her

double affliction, the illness of her child and the

death of her husband at an early age. William

Simpson had years in the Army, both in

India and South Africa, and was every inch a

soldier.

As we go to press, we learn with regret of the death

of Ephraim Guy, of Tarson. At an early ago he has

been called to his eternal rest, regretted by all who

knew him.

Rev. W. T. Grey.

The following is an extract from a letter recently

received from the Rev. W. T. Grey

“Last month has seen a very interesting development

here in connection with the Governmental

attitude towards religion. Hitherto the Government

has stood aloof from religion, giving to no form of it

any official recognition, In the Schools for instance

which are practically all under Government no

religious teaching of any sort is allowed. Now,

however, there are signs that the Government is

awakening to the fact that the result of its policy in

seeking to do without religion is not satisfactory. A

few weeks ago, the Vice-Minister for Home Affairs

announced that he was about to summon a Conference

of the representatives of Shintoism, Buddhism,

and Christianity. The primary intention in holding

this Conference is he declares "to direct attention

to religion as a necessary means to the highest

spiritual and moral welfare of both the individual and

the nation. For a number of years this matter has

has not been given the importance that properly

belongs to it; and the primary purpose of the proposed

Conference is to reassert that importance.

At present moral doctrines are inculcated by education alone,

but it is impossible to inculcate firmly, fair and upright ideas

in the minds of the nation, unless the people are brought into

touch with the fundamental conception known as God,

Buddha or Heaven, as taught in religions. It is necessary

that education and religion should go hand in hand to build

up the basis of the national ethics, and it is therefore desirable

that a scheme should be devised to bring education and religion

into closer relations to enable thein to promote the national

welfare."

The proposal to hold this Conference has aroused considerable

interest and much criticism in the Japanese Press (though it is

officially declared that there is no intention of seeking to unite the

adherents of the three religions in one body, even were we to do

so a possibility). The Buddhists are strongly opposed to the idea,

chiefly, I think, because they consider it gives to Christianity

a place as one of the recognised religions of the Japanese people.

Altogether the situation is most interesting, and one can only

pray that the movement may be guided from Above. I have been

appointed to take charge of St. Barnabas Church, Tokyo, and

it is a position of exceptional difficulty and responsibility.

Remembrances to everyone."

Items.

The members of Drumgor Unionist Club hope

shortly to take part in a Parade Service on a Sunday

evening in Drumgor Church Hall. The Club

numbers some 70 members.

***

The Church attendance cards with coloured seals

are very popular with our Sunday School children.

In Carne Sunday School they are proving very

Useful.

***

The Rev. W. J. Connor, a native of Seagoe Parish,

has recently been appointed Rector of Ailsa Craig in

the Diocese of Ontario, Canada.

***

Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Wilson kindly entertained the

members of the Choir to a Social in Seagoe School

on March 1st and a most enjoyable evening was

spent.

***

The sum of £7 18s. 3d. has been sent from the

Parish to the South American Missionary Society

this year from boxes, cards and Church collections.

***

“John Barleycorn" was performed by some of our

Eskey friends on Thursday, March 7th. It was very

interesting and amusing. The proceeds were for a

new Orange Hall at Eskey in the Parish of Ardmore.

***

The Rector would be glad to give a letter of

recommendation to any of the Parishioners who may

be intending to emigrate. The Church is now so

well organised in all parts of the world that it is

possible no matter where an emigrant goes to, to

commend such a one to the pastoral care of the

clergyman in charge of the district.

***

We are glad to hear that George Cartmill, of

Edenderry, is rapidly recovering after his serious

illness.

***

On St. Patrick's Day, March 17th, special sermons

were preached in Seagoe Church on the Life and

Work of the Apostle of Ireland.

***

Remember the service in the Parish each evening

in the week before Easter at 8 o'clock.

***

The Rev. J. Bloomer, B.A., Curate of Stewartstown,

and brother of the Rev. G. Bloomer, B.A„

Curate of Seagoe, has just been appointed to the

important Curacy of Cookstown (Derryloran).

***

The first day of the General Synod which meets in

Dublin on Tuesday, April 16th is to be devoted to

consideration of the coming Home Rule Bill. The

Primate will preside.

***

A large contingent of Seagoe men will be present

at the approaching demonstration against Home

Rule in Belfast on Easter Tuesday.

***

We believe three of the local factories are running

On peat owing to the scarcity of coal due to the

strike.

***

Portadown Foundry is forging ahead. It is one

of the most progressive firms within the bounds of

Seagoe Parish, and is at present engaged in constructing

three steel lighters for the Bann trade.

.

Letter from Mr. Jas. MacKenzie.

St David's Episcopal Church, Delta, Pennsylvania,

York co, U.S.A., 2nd Jan., 1912.

Dear Mr. Archer,—By this time you will be

wondering how I am getting along. At present I

am in charge of the Parish of St. David. The town

of Delta is a great slate mining town, and has a

population of almost 3,000. The Church of which

I am in charge is not large, but a very unique

building. It has 7 beautiful stained glass windows

and a mahogany pulpit and communion table. Since

my arrival here the congregation has increased

considerably, but will take some little time before I get

everything to my wish. The week before last I

elected a Select Vestry of 6 men and a Ladies'

Auxiliary, consisting of 10 ladies. By the aid of

these committees it will enable me to work things in

a thorough Church-like manner. On New Year's

eve I held a Watch Night Service. The Church

was crowded, and after putting seats up the aisles a

number of people had to remain standing. Previous

to my coming here I lived with the Bishop, and

acted as his Secretary and Chaplain. My times

with him were splendid, as it meant a considerable

lot of travelling every week. He took me to a great

number of parishes, where I preached and took part in

special services. It was my duty to carry his pastoral

staff, which he authorised me to do. The Bishop

of Harrisbury is one of the finest men I ever met. A

few weeks ago I went with the Bishop as chaplain to

a great convention in the City of Baltimore. There

were 6 Bishops present and about 200 clergy. It

gave me a fair idea of the American Bishops and

clergy, which to my idea are a fine body of men.

Time will not permit me to write any more now,

as I am very busy this week, as my committees are

meeting, and also I have started a confirmation class.

Remember me to the Drumgor people, and also

to the Carbet friends. With every good wish

I am

Yours very faithfully,

JAMES MACKENZIE.

Parish Register for March

Baptisms.

“Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent,

and hast revealed them unto Babes."

March 2^nd —Sarah Mary, daughter of William James and Sarah Mary Fryers.

,, ,, Charles James, son of Samuel James and Emma Olivia Hall.

,, ,, Emily Mayes, daughter of Leonard and Sarah Jane Mayes.

,, ,, Margaret Anna, daughter of William and Margretta Sherman.

Marriages,

"Heirs together of the Grace of Life."

March 5^th —George Porter, Lower Seagoe, to Evelyn Wilson, Drumnagoon.

,, 12^th —Henry Gardiner, Foymore, Parish of Drumcree

to Margaret Montgomery, Levaghery.

Burials

“The Master is come and calleth for thee."

March 11^th —Jane Mayes, Levaghery, aged 84 years.

,, 12^th —John Malcolmson, Edenderry, aged 61 years.

,, 19^th —William Simpson, Edenderry, 43 years,

,, 29^th —Ephraim Guy, Tarson, aged 20

Offertories for March.

(Four Sundays.)

“My son, give Me thine heart."

Sunday Mornings £4.13.10

Sunday Evenings £3.10.3

Wednesdays £0.15.8

£8.19.9

The sum of £1 4s 6d (included above) is given to

the Protestant Orphan Society from the Unionist

Parade Service on March 24th.

The Easter Vestry.

On Thursday, April 11th, the annual meeting of

the General Vestry of Seagoe Parish will be held in

Seagoe Parochial School at 8 o'clock. The Registered

Vestrymen of the Parish according to the last Revision

are 166 in number, and are drawn from all parts of the

Parish. We hope to see a large attendance at the meeting.

At this meeting the General Vestrymen elect the People's

Churchwarden, the Select Vestry, and Sidesmen for the

ensuing twelve months. The names of the outgoing

Church Officers are:

CHURCHWARDENS.

Andrew Costello, Rector's.

Robert Gracey, People's.

SELECT VESTRY.

1. George Calvert,

2. Thos. J. Montgomery.

3 Thos. J. Atkinson.

4. John Montgomery.

5. Chas. J. Collins.

6. Thomas Martin.

7. Thos. Ed. Maginnis.

8. John G. Gracey,

9. W. R. Atkinson.

10. David Rock.

11. Joseph Murray.

12. Joseph Monroe.

SIDESMEN.

1. C. J. Collins.

2. T. R. Reid.

3. J. H. Stevenson.

4. W. R Bickett.

A meeting of the existing Select Vestry will be

held on the same evening as the General Vestry at

7-30 o'clock for the purpose of closing the accounts

for the past year,

Congratulations.

We Offer our hearty congratulations to Mr. and

Mrs. George Porter and to Mr. and Mrs. Henry

Gardiner on the occasion of their marriage as

announced in the Parish Register for this month.

Mrs. George Porter (Miss Eva Wilson) has been for

a long time a member of Seagoe Choir, and has also

acted as a Sunday School Teacher in Seagoe

Morning Sunday School. Mr. Porter has had great

experience as a traveller, having been in many parts of

the world. Five years ago, when 16 years of age he

left Seagoe for North Queensland, and resided there

for three years. A year ago, be returned to Seagoe,

and almost immediately started off to Arizona,

U.S.A., to see his father, Mr, David Porter.

Returning few weeks later to Seagoe, he took up

his residence amongst us again, and has now on the

occasion of his marriage started off again with Mrs.

Porter to North Queensland. The bride and bridegroom

left Seagoe on last Wednesday, 27th inst., on their long

journey. We wish them all happiness and blessing in

their new home.

Mrs. Henry Gardiner (Miss Margaret Montgomery)

has for long been a useful helper in the Parish. She

is a daughter of Mr. John Montgomery, of Levaghery,

a highly respected member for many years of Seagoe

Select Vestry. Mrs. Gardiner will in future reside

in the Parish of Drumcree, at Foymore. We hope

often to see Mrs. Gardiner back in the old Parish

with which her family has so many connections,

Nature Notes.

April is a very interesting month to observers of

Nature. It is the month when the swallows, the

cuckoo, and the corncrake arrive in our Northern

regions. The cuckoo usually arrives here on April

13th, the swallow on April 14^th, and the corncrake

on April 26th. The first butterflies should be seen

about April 4th. We should like to insert in next

mouth's MAGAZINE the names of Parishioners who

are the first to notice the new arrivals. A great

deal depends on the quarter from which the wind is

blowing. A steady wind from the South brings our

visitors quickly to our shores. The swallows have

in past years been first seen usually in the south end

of the Parish near Breagh.

Hymns for April.

“Sing ye praises with understanding."

7th M. 187, Anthem, 461, 357

E. 188, Anthem, 631, 185, 12

14^th M. 189, 468, 261, 44

E. 268, 310, 284, 196, 26

21th M 476, 541, 464, 319

E 39, 199, 50, 42, 492,

28th M 52, 198, 112, 339

E 53, 289, 466, 251, 25

Old Seagoe Notes

Lurgan——the Spade Town.—Perhaps some of

our readers can tell us why Lurgan is called the

Spade Town." It has been suggested that in the Old

days it was famous for the manufacture of that

useful implement. The Lurgan spade was evidently a

very long one, possibly for cutting turf in the bogs

along the shores of the Lough. We gather this

from an expression which used to be very common

and is still sometimes heard in this neighbourhood.

Whenever anyone looks gloomy and sullen he is

said to have "a face as long as a Lurgan spade."

Schoolmasters of Seagoe 200 years ago .

The first schoolmaster of Seagoe of whom we have

any record was John Ward, who, according to the

Episcopal Visitations of Dromore, was

"to be Lycensed Schoolmaster on the Vicar's

recommendation" from May 13th, 1735.

On June 2nd, 1736, Jas. Willson was lycensed to

be Schoolmaster in 1741. Lawrence Maguire and

Bryan Campbell were appointed Schoolmasters of

Seagoe, and at the Bishop's Visitation in this year

it was arranged that an English "Schoolmaster

was to be appointed in each Parish in the Diocese of

Dromore, including Seagoe.

Churchwardens of Seagoe (Continue ).—

1766 Richard Johnston.

Francis Dynes.

1767 Henry Waite.

John Robinson.

1768 Robert Bradshaw.

Meredith Jones.

1769 William Lutton, jun.

John Donalson.

1770 Thomas Gardener.

John Buller.

1771 William Gilpin.

James M'Murey.

1772 William Harrison.

William Hickland.

1773 George Shepherd.

John McMurry.

Pope Innocent VIII and Seagoe.—At one

period in the long history of Seagoe the Pope began

to take an interest in the internal affairs of the

parish, In the year 1492, on July 11th, Pope

Innocent VIII issued a Bull for the union of the

three Parishes of Taydagoha (Seagoe), Kylmilan or

Killmilcon (Shankhill, Lurgan), and Acadle (Aghalee)

The Archdeacon of Dromore and Rector of Seagoe

in July, 1492, was Donald or Donatus Maginn. The

spelling in the Bull is very incorrect Dromore, e.g.,

is spelt “Themen." The Bull was first discussed on

January 7th, 1492, but not issued until July 11th,

of that year. The union of the Parishes was never

apparently carried into effect, and strange to say the

Pope died a few days after he issued the Bull, on

July 25th, 1492. If the year 1492 has an interest in

local history it has also an interest in European

politics as the year of the Conquest of Granada,

and in world politics as the year Columbus

set out on his voyages of discovery.