April 1925

Seagoe Parish Magazine

APRIL, 1925.

The Consecration of Seagoe Graveyard, Tuesday, March 3rd, 1925

A very important event in the history of Seagoe

Parish took place on Tuesday, March 5th, 1925, when

the Lord Bishop of Down and Connor and Dromore

(the Right Rev. C. T. P. Grierson, D.D.) consecrated

the additions which had been made to the Graveyard

in 1874, and in 1914. The day was very fine, and a

large number of parishioners and others were present.

A procession was formed at the Church, in the

following order: —Members of Select Vestry preceded

by Messrs J. G. Gracey and D. W. Murray, members

of the Rural District Council; the Churchwardens,

Messrs T. H. Wilson and J. E. Lavery; the Clergy, Revs.

H. F. O. Egerton, M.A., J. Armstrong, B.Sc. from

St. Mark's; J. Dunlop, B.A. (Drumcree), G. C. Johnston,

B.A. (Shankill), G. H. Daunt (Knocknamuckley),

J. Smyth, M.A. (Ardmore), W. T. Wilson, M.A., and

R. W. Johnston, L.Th., Curates-Assistant of Seagoe;

Canon Archer, B.D., Rector of Seagoe; J. T. Belton,

M.A. (carrying the Pastoral Staff), the Archdeacon of

Connor (Ven. H. R. Brett, M.A.), and the Lord Bishop.

A Guard of Honour of the R U.C. under Captain Andrews

was drawn up at the graveyard gate. The procession

moved from the Church to the entrance to the graveyard,

and turned to the left after passing through the gate.

The service began where the Old Ground adjoins the

new. The Bishop and people read the verses of the Psalm

alternately; the Psalms said were Psalms xvi., xxvi.,

cxliii., xxiii. and xxiv. Mr. Samuel M'Cabe, the caretaker

of the graveyard, walked in front of the procession,

which first passed along the West wall to the railway,

then along the path parallel the railway, then along the

Eastern side (omitting a small rectangular plot), then

along the North side of the Old Burying Ground and

by the path passing the West end of the old Church.

When the procession reached the place where the

Service had begun it halted, and the Bishop said the

concluding prayers. The Deed of Consecration was then

submitted by the Diocesan Registrar (Archdeacon Brett)

to the Bishop for signature, and after it had been signed

the Bishop handed it to Mr. John George Gracey, a member

of Seagoe Select Vestry, and also Vice-chairman of the

Lurgan Rural District Council. The Deed is worded

as follows: —

DEED OF CONSECRATION

Of Additional Ground in Seagoe Graveyard.

In the Name of God. Amen.

WHEREAS the Rural District Council of Lurgan

have requested us to separate two portions of

ground, namely, that portion of the Seagoe Burial

Extension Ground recently added, and also the

portion added in 1874, from all profane and common

uses, and to dedicate, appropriate and consecrate

them as a place of Burial for the Dead:

THEREFORE, we, Charles Thornton Primrose,

D.D., by Divine Permission, Bishop of Down and

Connor and Dromore, being desirous of promoting

their pious and religious intentions, do hereby for

ever separate the said portions of ground from all

common and profane uses, and do Dedicate,

Appropriate and Consecrate them for a place of

Burial for the Dead in Christ.

In testimony whereof we have signed our name

this Third day of March, 1925.

CHARLES T. P. DOWN

Henry R. Brett,

Diocesan Registrar.

The procession then made its way back to the

Church in the same order. Tea was provided in the

Schoolhouse after the Service.

PHOTO

THE CONSECRATION OF SEAGOE GRAVEYARD

The Bishop presenting the Deed of Consecration to

Mr. John George Gracey in the Graveyard after the

Consecration on March 3^rd, 1925

Seagoe Parochial Mission.

The Parochial Mission held in the Parish Church

from March 21st to March 29th by the Rev. Canon

Forrester proved, we are thankful to record, a great

success. A large number of the Parishioners attended

the Services, and as the Mission went on the

numbers steadily increased until at the concluding

Service on Sunday evening, March 29th, the Church

was crowded. Canon Forrester followed a definite

course in his addresses. The Mission began on the

evening of Saturday, March 21st, with a short Service

in the Church for Church workers. On the Sunday

morning, March 22nd, the Missioner began his

series of Addresses by preaching on “The Fact of

God," the fundamental principle on which all Religion

is based. His second subject on Sunday evening was

“The Fatherhood of God." Then on each succeeding

evening of the week he gave addresses on "Jesus Christ,

the Incarnate Son of God," "Sin which Separates us

from God," "Forgiveness of Sin," “Judgment," “The

Means of Grace." On Saturday, March 28th, he gave

an address to Communicants, and on Sunday (29th)

he spoke in the morning on “Holy Communion," and

at Evensong on “What we must do." On each Sunday

afternoon Canon Forrester held a Service for Men at 3.30.

His subject on Sunday (22nd) was “Self-control, the way to

Power," and on Sunday (29th) "The Church in Work and

Home." There were two celebrations of Holy Communion

on each Sunday at 8 and 11.30, and also two early

Celebrations at 8 on the Wednesday and Friday. A large

number waited at the close of the last Service of the

Mission to receive Memorial Cards. The Mission has,

we believe, been productive of much spiritual benefit to

the Parish, and many among us will look back to that week

of quiet meditation on the great truths of the Christian

revelation as a time when their faith was deepened, their hope

confirmed, and their love for eternal things warmed

and strengthened.

Thanks.

We acknowledge with thanks the receipt of 10s towards

the Recreation Room from “Anon," and from Mrs. Bond.

We also desire to thanks the Misses Dawson, who very

kindly gave a generous gift of splendid Oranges for the

Edenderry Sunday School Fete last month.

The Easter Vestry.

The Easter General Vestry for Seagoe Parish will

be held (D. V.) on Thursday, April 16th, in Seagoe

School at 8 p.m. A full attendance of all the members

of the General Vestry is requested. At this meeting the

Churchwardens will be appointed and elected, and also

the Select Vestry for the coming year. The Annual Statement

of Accounts will be submitted by the Hon. Treasurers

Holy Week and Easter.

LIST OF SPECIAL SERVICES.

During Holy Week there will be a Service in the

Parish Church on each evening except Saturday, at

8 p.m. The following is a list of the Services and

subjects of the Addresses: -

Monday, April 6th—"Gethsemane."

Tuesday, April 7th—"The Betrayal."

Wednesday, April 8th—"The Trial."

Thursday, April 9th—"The Last Supper."

Good Friday, April 10^th —11.30 a.m.—Morning

Prayer and Litany. 8 p.m.—Evening Prayer

and Sermon.

Easter Day, April 11th—8 a.m.—Holy Communion.

11.30 a.m.—Morning Prayer, Sermon and Holy

Communion. 7 p.m.— Evening Prayer and

Sermon.

On Good Friday the Offerings will be given to the

Jews' Society, and on Easter Day at all the Services

the Offerings will be on behalf of the Sunday Schools

of the Parish.

Parish Register for March.

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish

Church on March 7th, 1925

M'Murry—Mary Anna, daughter of Thomas and

Sarah M'Murry, of Hacknahay.

Sponsors—Elizabeth M'Knight, Sarah M'Murry.

Hamilton—Allen Norman, son of Robert and Margaret

Jane Hamilton, of Upper Seagoe.

Sponsors—Edith Florence Richardson, Margaret Jane

Hamilton.

Gracey—Joseph, son of Joseph and Martha Jane

Gracey, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Lily Clarke, Isabella Gracey.

Robinson—Thomas Kenneth, son of Johnston and

Sarah Robinson, of Drumgor.

Sponsors—Frances Mary Irwin, Johnston Robinson.

Kearns—Samuel James, son of David and Ellen

Kearns, of Killicomaine

Sponsors—Mary Rachel Neill, Ellen Kearns.

Guy -Alfred, son of Samuel James and Anna Bella

Guy, of Derryvore.

Sponsors—Millicent Coulter, Anna Bella Guy.

(We regret that in last month's issue the names of

the Sponsors—Elizabeth Hunniford and Josephine

Webb—were omitted from the notice of the Baptism

of the twin daughters of Mr. Wm. Jas Campbell, of

Balteagh.)

Burials.

Joyce—9th March, at Eden Villa, Edenderry, Thomas

John Joyce, late of Cincinnati, U.S.A., aged

82 years.

Date of Confirmation.

The Lord Bishop will (D.V.) hold a Confirmation

in Seagoe Parish Church on Tuesday, June 30th, at 8

p.m. All those who have reached the age of 14 are

eligible to join the Confirmation Classes, which will

be held in Seagoe School on Mondays for Girls,

and on Thursdays for Boys. The Classes will begin

on Monday, May 4th, at 8, and on Thursday, May

7th, at 8 p.m. A Class for Adults will be held on

Sunday afternoons at 4 p.m. in Seagoe School,

beginning on Sunday, May 3rd.

The Mothers' Union.

The next meeting of the Mothers' Union will be

held (D.V.) in Seagoe School on Tuesday, May 5th,

at 4 p.m. A very pleasant gathering was held on

the Tuesday of the Mission Week in Edenderry

Parochial Hall, and Canon Forrester addressed those

present. Tea was kindly provided for the members by

some of our helpers.

Emigrants.

Mr. and Mrs David Johnston, of Carrickblacker

Road, left on Saturday, April 4th, by the liner

Scythia for America. They will reside at

Thompsonville, near Springfield. They will be

much missed in the Parish, where they were ever

ready to assist in all kinds of Parish work. The

thoughts and prayers of many among us will

accompany them to their new home.

A School Address.

An Address, accompanied by the gift of a Gold

Fountain Pen, was presented to John Johnston by the

pupils of Edenderry P.E. School before he left for

America. The Address contains the following

interesting sentences: —

Edenderry P.E.S.,

Portadown, 26th March, 1925.

Address and Presentation to Master John Johnston

on the occasion of his departure for the States.

Dear John—We are all very sorry that you are

leaving us for the States, especially as you have

always been one of our cleverest boys, and an example

to the rest of us in steadiness and perseverance.

We are sure you will do us credit among the

Yanks, but we hope that you will never acquire the

nasal twang so common out there. It is scarcely

necessary for us to add that we wish you every

success in the land of your adoption, and we hope

that whatever may be your lot you will not forget

the chums you left behind you. As an aid in this

direction we ask your acceptance of the accompanying

Fountain Pen, which we hope you will find useful.

Again, we wish you all happiness and prosperity.

We are, on behalf of the class,

Signed,

S. M'COLLUM.

H. WALLACE.

A handsome Brooch was presented to Miss Annie

Johnston by the Edenderry Choir on her departure

for America.

Canon Forrester.

Many in Seagoe would, we are sure, like to know

more about Canon Forrester, who so kindly came to

help us in the Mission, and whose words will be

treasured for many a long day in our hearts and

consciences. Canon Forrester was born in Cork, but

in early life moved with his parents to Dublin. His

grandfather lived in Belfast, and Canon Forrester's

parents are buried in the Old Clifton St. Burial

Ground in Belfast. Canon Forrester had a distinguished

Mathematical Scholarship. He was ordained in 1899,

and having served as a Curate in St. George's Church,

Dublin, for some years, he volunteered for Missionary

work in India, and in 1907 joined the staff of the

Dublin University Mission in Chota Nagpur in the

North-east of India. In 1912 he was appointed Chaplain

to the Bishop of Chota Nagpur, and also Head of the

Dublin University Mission, a post which he held until

1921. He was elected a Fellow of Patua University in

1917. On his return from India in 1921 he was

appointed Chaplain of Trinity College, Dublin, and

also Lecturer in Divinity and in Mathematics in Dublin

University. Canon Forrester has conducted Missions

in many parishes in Ireland and England, and his work

is everywhere greatly appreciated. The Offertories on

the last Sunday of the Mission amounted to £14 19s 0d,

and this sum is being forwarded to the Chota Nagpur

Mission in which Canon Forrester is deeply interested.

The Diocese of Dromore.

An important work has just been published by the

Ven. Archdeacon Atkinson, Rector of Rostrevor. The

Archdeacon is already favourably known by his

History of the Parish of Donacloney, published some

years ago. He has now attempted a bigger work

with much success. He has written the History of

the Diocese of Dromore, the Diocese in which the

Parish of Seagoe is situated. The first part of the

book deals with the general History of the Diocese

from the 6th century until its union with the Diocese

of Down and Connor on the death of Bishop Saurin

(father of Archdeacon Saurin) in 1840. The second

part of the book deals with the Parishes of the

Diocese. A short account is given of each Parish

together with the succession of Clergy as far as it can

be ascertained. The book is illustrated by photographs,

one of which is that of the Cloch-Bann or the cracked

Bell of St. Patrick, or the Bell of Seagoe, which in

former days was carried in front of funerals in Seagoe

Parish. It is now in the Kildare Street Museum, Dublin,

having been purchased in 1839 by Archdeacon Saurin

for £50 from its guardian, Peter Hennon. Five pages

of Archdeacon Atkinson's History are devoted to Seagoe

Parish. The price of the book is 15s. It is published by

Tempest of Dundalk.

ITEMS

Will those who have grave plots in Seagoe Churchyard

kindly get them into order. A little attention bestowed

just now will keep them nice all through the summer.

***

The Offertories on the second Sunday of the Mission

amounted to £14 9s 0d, which is being sent to the

Dublin University Mission to Chota Nagpur, with which

Canon Forrester was associated for many years.

***

Seagoe School was in use as a polling station at

the General Election held on Friday, April 3rd.

***

Dynes Atkinson, for many years sexton of Seagoe,

has entered his 90th year. He has a great memory,

and can tell many stories of the good old days. He

served in the Armagh Militia during the period of

the Crimean Campaign. When a small boy he worked

about Seagoe Rectory under Archdeacon Saurin,

and in later years acted as gardener under Dean

Dawson and the present Rector. He continued too

work until he reached his 80th year.

***

Who will be the first to notice the coming of the

Swallow, Cuckoo, and Corncrake? We will be glad

to publish particulars in our next issue if they are

supplied to us by observers.

***

Photographs of the Consecration of Seagoe Graveyard

appeared in many newspapers, including the "Daily

Mail " and "Daily Chronicle," also in the Portadown

News". Seagoe has seldom been so well advertised

as it was by the cameras of the Pressmen on that occasion.

***

We record with regret the death of Mr. Thomas

John Joyce, of Eden Villa, who passed away after a

long illness on March 6th at, the advanced age of

82 years. Mr. Joyce had resided for many years in

Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A. In his early days he attended

Seagoe Church, and lived at Drumlin House. In recent

years he had paid frequent visits to his native land,

and returned for the last time only last year. He was

always interested in Seagoe Parish, and when on visits

here was a regular worshipper in the Parish Church.

On Monday, March 9th, his remains were interred in

Old Seagoe Graveyard in the plot belonging to the

Joyces' of Drumlin. Mr, Joyce was a brother of

Mrs. W. R. Atkinson, of Eden Villa.

[The List of Services and Classes is omitted this

month owing to pressure on our space.]