April 1928

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

APRIL, 1928.

CLERGY:

Rev. Canon Archer, B.D., The Rectory, Seagoe,

Portadown.

Rev. W. A. Henry, 21 Edward St., Portadown.

CHURCHWARDENS:

Rector's—Thos. E. Maginnis, Breagh.

People's—John R. Reid, Portadown.

The Christian Year.

The orderly succession of the seasons of the

Christian year has brought us from Advent to Holy

Week, Good Friday, and Easter. It is a solemn

season for Christian people when they are called

upon to contemplate the sufferings of their Blessed

Lord as He passed through the trials and afflictions

which preceded the Death on Calvary. It will be

good for us to turn aside from the world for even

a few days and to seek spiritual strength in quiet

worship. With that object in view we have arranged

to hold special Services in the Parish Church each

evening this week (except Saturday), at 8 o'clock.

Special Services,

GOOD FRIDAY.

11.30 a.m.—Morning Prayer and Litany.

8 p.m.—Evening Prayer and Sermon.

The offerings on Good Friday will be given to

the Church of Ireland Jews' Society.

EASTER DAY.

8 a.m.—Holy Communion.

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

Communion.

7 p.m.—Evening Prayer and Sermon.

The offerings on Easter Day will be given to the

Parochial Sunday School Fund.

The Easter Vestry.

The Annual Meeting of the General Vestry of the

Parish will be held (D.V.) on Thursday, April 12th,

at 8 p.m. in Seagoe Parochial School. A punctual

attendance of all the members of the General

Vestry is requested. Business—Election and

nomination of Churchwardens, election of Select

Vestry, Statement of Accounts by Hon. Treasurer.

Death of Mrs, Alan Bell.

We deeply regret to announce the death of Mrs.

Alan Bell, which took place at Bath on Saturday,

March 24th. Her death occurred almost on the

anniversary of the tragic death of Mr. Alan Bell,

who was done to death in Dublin on March 26th,

1920. Mrs. Bell had never been very robust in

health but the awful tragedy of Mr. Bell's death

made her life a misery and although she struggled

hard against her overwhelming sorrow yet it wore

her down in health and spirits until death has come

as a merciful release. Mrs. Bell had until recently

resided with her brother-in-law, Dr. Bell, at

Gloucester, but when she found her health failing

she went to Bath, the climate of which agreed with

her better. Mrs. Bell was very fond of Seagoe,

where she and Mr. Bell and her sister, Miss Nicholl,

spent five very happy years, the last five years of

Mr. Bell's life. While residing among us she was

greatly beloved by everyone. Her care for the sick

and the poor was wonderful. She and Mr. Bell

and Miss Nicholl were always thinking out some

way of helping those who were in distress. They

took a great interest in Seagoe Church and Parish

and were most regular in their attendance at Public

Worship. Their time of residence here coincided

with the years of war and they were unwearied

in helping the wounded and war-stricken soldiers,

often entertaining them at their own house. The

Rector when in France received a succession of

most useful gifts from Mrs. Bell for distribution

to the soldiers in his camp at Zeneghem. The

generous gift of £500 which Mrs. Bell gave to

the Parish in memory of Mr. Alan Bell was a

proof of the kindly interest she took in the people

of Seagoe Parish. Our sincere sympathy is

extended to Miss Nicholl in the loss she has

sustained in the death of her sister. The people

of Seagoe will for long cherish the sacred memory

of Mr. and Mrs. Bell for their lives of generous

Christian sympathy and sincere friendship.

Protestant Orphan Society.

We acknowledge with thanks the receipt from

Miss Agnes Guy of the following sums for the Co.

Armagh Protestant Orphan Society: - Cards - Mr.

Arthur Allen, 10s; Miss M. Coulter, 13s 3d; Miss

A. Guy, 12s 6d; Miss Edna Forde, 9s 0d;

Subscription—Mrs. Joyce, 2s 6d. We also acknowledge

with thanks a card collection of 17s 6d from Mr.

Alphonso Kirk. The above sums have been forwarded

to the Secretary of the Co. Armagh Protestant Orphan

Society.

A Week of Missions.

Mr. Gracey has just concluded a week of Mission

Services in various centres in the Parish. Beginning

on Monday, March, 26th, at Hacknahay School,

he gave addresses on successive nights at the

following centres—Edenderry Parochial Hall,

Drumgor, Levaghery, and Seagoe School. At all

the services there were large attendances and the

services were very impressive and devotional.

Mission in Carne.

Mr. Robert Gracey (late of the Church Army)

conducted a fortnight's mission in Carne Church

Hall, from Sunday, March 11th, to Sunday, March

25th. His earnest and impressive words brought

conviction home to many hearts and we believe

that, under God, much real and lasting spiritual

work has been accomplished. The room was

crowded every night and overcrowded on several

occasions. No less than 195 persons were present

at the closing service of the Mission on March

25th. We thank Mr. and Mrs. David Murray, of

Ballynery, for most kindly providing hospitality

for Mr. Gracey, and we also thank Mr. and Mrs.

Conolly, of Carne, for giving the use of their room

during the Mission.

Mission in Hacknahay.

The Rector has asked Mr. Gracey to conduct a

Mission in Hacknahay School, beginning on Sunday,

April 15, at 4 p.m. The Services will be held on

the evenings of the week (except Saturday) at

8 p.m. The Church Army Hymn Book will be used.

Parish Register for March.

Baptisms

Lester—March 3rd, 1928, Quentin Stanley, son of

Quentin and Adeline Lester, of Lisniskey.

Sponsors—Quentin Lester, Adeline Lester.

Heyburn—March 3rd, 1928—William, son of William

James and Mary Jane Heyburn, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Sarah Fleming, Mary Jane Heyburn.

Marriage.

Benson and Malcomson—March, 3rd, 1928, William

John Benson, of Portadown, to Florence

Malcomson, of Edenderry.

Burials.

Ruddell—March 17th, George Ruddell, of Balteagh.

Gracey—March 20th, Howard Donald Gracey, of

Balteagh, aged 15 months. Interred in Old

Shankill graveyard.

Best—March 24th, James Best, of Drumlisnagrilly,

aged 84 years.

Currie—March 24th, Annie Currie, of Ballymacrandle,

aged 18 years.

Sympathy.

Death has been busy in our midst and has carried

off three from amongst us. One just entering on life,

another in early youth and another at a good old age.

Howard Donald Gracey was called away after an

illness of a few weeks; a dear and much loved child.

Annie Currie had suffered for some years with much

patience and a confident trust in her Heavenly Father.

James Best passed away in the fullness of years after

a brief illness. Many are plunged into grief by these

sad losses and we express our sincere sympathy with

them. We desire also to express our deep sympathy

with Mrs. John Gracey, of Balteagh, in the death of

her brother, Mr. George Ruddell.

Jews Society.

We acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the

following sums for the Church of Ireland Jews'

Society, per Miss S. Halliday: —Boxes—Mrs. Rennix,

£1 11s 6d; The Misses Montgomery, £1 5s; The Misses

Hawthorne, £1; Miss Gretta Atkinson, 14s; Miss

Woolsey, 11s 9d; Master Harry Hynes, 11s 4d; Mrs.

Hynes, 10s; Miss M'Kinstry, 8s 5d; Mrs. Arthur

Allen, 7s 4d; Miss Lily M'Kerr, 6s 9d; Mrs, Robert

Magee, 7s 4d; Miss Florrie Hynes, 5s 6d; Mrs. W.

Hewitt, 4s 3d; Mrs. Flannigan, 4s 2d; Miss Amy

Cox, 3s; Miss Hannah Martin, 7s 8d; Miss Halliday,

Subscriptions—Miss Armstrong, £2; Seagoe

Mothers' Union, £I; Miss E. Halliday, 10s; Mrs.

Vance, 10s. Total—£14 18s 0d.

ITEMS.

Two accidents have recently occurred to cyclists

in Seagoe Parish. Those who ride push bicycles

should be very careful, especially after dark.

***

A couple of months ago a rat got an entrance into

Seagoe Church and being apparently as hungry as

the proverbial church mouse attacked a newly

purchased kneeling pad and ruthlessly tore the

stuffing out of it. It then turned its attention to a large

chant book belonging to Mr. T. H. Wilson, the

organist, and gnawed the leather binding off it.

Eventually its destructive raids were brought to an

end by Robert Richardson, the sexton, who judiciously

placed some poisoned bread in the aisle, and the next

day the hungry rodent was found beside it stretched

and dead.

***

The Rector has had a picture post-card from Tom

Webb, of Railway Street. He is enjoying the mild

yet bracing air of Florida, U.S.A.

***

Mrs. David Johnston, of Thompsonville, U.S.A.,

hopes to re-visit all her old friends in Edenderry

and Seagoe next June. She is bringing with her

her youngest son, David.

***

Several of our young parishioners are leaving for

Australia and New Zealand next month. The Rector

will be glad to give letters of reference to any who

may contemplate emigrating to the Colonies.

***

The Rev. F. J. Halahan, Rector of Drumcree, has

had to construct a raft in order to visit a sick

parishioner, who is isolated by the floods.

***

A kind friend has made it possible to purchase a

new silver-mounted glass flagon for use in Holy

Communion in the Parish Church.

AN OLD SEAGOE CIRCULAR.

This circular was issued for the opening of Seagoe Parochial School in the year 1859. A pretty woodcut of the School was printed at the head of it. The circular is reproduced almost exactly as it was printed 70 years ago by the Portadown News.

GRAND FANCY BAZAAR.

SEAGOE, PORTA DOWN

A Bazaar will be held on Wednesday, 2 ^nd May, 1859,

IN THE

SEAGOE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL HOUSE,

IN AID OF THE FUND FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE BUILDING,

Under the Patronage of Rt. Honourable Lord and Lady Lurgan; Lt.-Col. Ellison and the Officers of the Royal North Lincoln Militia; Stewart Blacker, Esq., Carrick-Blacker; Ven. the Archdeacon of Dromore and Mrs. Saurin; Rev. Wm. and Mrs. St. George; Wolsey Atkinson, Esq., Eden Villa; Mrs. Wolsey Atkinson and the Misses Atkinson; Mrs. Little and the Misses Little; Mrs. Walker, Miss Walker, &c., &c.

The numerous Contributors who have generously exerted themselves in behalf of the Bazaar have spared no pains to render it as attractive as possible.

Ladies in the neighbourhood will preside at the Stalls. Abundant Refreshments will be provided.

The choice Band of the Royal North Lincoln Militias have been kindly tendered by Lt.-Col. Ellison, and will be in attendance.

THE DOORS BE OPEN AT ONE 0’CLOCK.

Seagoe School House is within a very short distance of the Portadown Railway Station, where

Carriages, &c., will be in attendance.

Printed at the "Portadown News" Office.

The Musical Festival.

Great interest was displayed this year in the

Portadown Musical Festival and Seagoe School as

usual took a prominent and successful part in the

proceedings. The first competition in which the

Seagoe children took part was that for girls and boys

under 14 years of age. Five out of the 20 who competed

were from Seagoe School. The test piece was

Rudyard Kipling's “If." The competition was very

keen and the recitation was extraordinarily good.

The marks awarded by the judge, Mr. St. John Ervine,

were very high. Although the Seagoe children did

not reach the top of the list they came very near it.

The following is a list of the marks won by the

Seagoe competitors: —Martha Girvan, 88; Emma

Walker, 86; Sadie Hara, 86; Kathleen Livingston, 85;

Sophia Porter, 84. The first prize-winner got 90

marks and the second 89, so our Seagoe children

were very close up. Some of the criticisms of the

Seagoe children were: —" Clear and distinct”,

“great intelligence,” “too high-pitched,"

"needs deeper breathing. " On Friday morning the

children entered as a Sunday School Choir. Three

other choirs competed against them. Seagoe choir

sang with great expression and taste. The pieces sung

were "Come let us all" by Bach, and "The Sabbath

Morn," by Mendelssohn. The result of this competition

was that Seagoe Choir took second place, with the fine

total of 82 marks for the "Bach" and 84 for "The Sabbath

Morn"—total 166. The winning Choir, Railway St.,

Lisburn, scored 169. The judge, Dr. Whittaker, of

Newcastle-on-Tyne, a very distinguished musician in

referring to the singing of the Seagoe S.S. Choir, said

"There was a little uncertainty in some parts, also I

noticed some absent “h’s”. They were also somewhat

too reticent and timid, but they had quite a nice tone;

the details were well observed, and they gave us very

good, refined singing.

On Friday evening the Seagoe P.E.S. Choir entered

for competition in the School Choirs Section. The

pieces sung by the choir were—"Water of Tyne"

by Dr. Whittaker, the judge of the singing, and "A

Lake and Fairy Boat" by Dunhill. There was also a

sight-reading test. The result of the competition

was that Seagoe Choir again won the Cup for the

fifth time. The judge awarded them 84 plus 84 plus

11 marks—total 179, a very high figure. He said they

sang with very beautiful tone and with fine swing

of the lines. It was all very charming.

Seagoe Mothers' Union.

A meeting of the Mothers' Union will be held (D.V.)

in Edenderry Parochial Hall on Tuesday, April 17th,

at 7.30 p.m. Miss Lillie Jackson, a Missionary of the

Zenana Missionary Society, who has just returned

from the province of Fuh-kien, in China, will give

an account of her work in China. Miss Jackson

will bring with her many curios from that interesting

country. The recent civil war has, of course, greatly

hindered Missionary work, but that work is still

faithfully carried on wherever possible. We anticipate

a very interesting gathering of the Mothers' Union on

this occasion.

Temperance Examination.

An examination in the "Temperance Handbook"

was held in Seagoe P.E. School on Wednesday,

March 28th. The examination is held in accordance

with the regulations of the Ministry of Education.

The senior children were examined by papers, and

Standards I and II by an oral examination. The

oral examination was conducted by the Rector and

the results were very satisfactory. The following

are the names of the children who obtained over 90

per cent: —George Fiddes, 100; Wm. N. M'Loughlin,

100; George Montgomery, 100; Margaret Porter, 100;

Peggy Caddell, 100; Annie Magee, 100; Carrie Guy,

100; Walter Caddell, 95; Fred M'Knight, 90; Sam

Freeburn, 90; Peggy Brownlee, 90; Norah Porter, 90.

The results of the Senior examination will be made

known when the papers have been examined in

Belfast.

Two Choir Socials.

Two very pleasant socials took place last month,

the first on Tuesday, March 20th, and the second on

Thursday, March 29th. The choir wished to show

their regard and esteem for Mr. and Mrs. James

Ruddell on the occasion of their marriage. There

was a full attendance of the members and after a

hearty tea, games of various kinds were engaged in.

During a pause some songs were sung with great

taste and ability, then more games followed and in

an interval the Rector took the chair and announced

that a presentation was about to be made. He spoke

of the good work done by the choir and of its present

efficiency. On behalf of the choir he then presented

to Mr. and Mrs. Ruddell a Dinner Service, at the

same time expressing the hope that Mr. and Mrs.

Ruddell would have much blessing and happiness

in their future life. Mr. Ruddell suitably replied,

thanking members of the choir for their valuable

gift and good wishes. Several other members

spoke, all testifying to the popularity of Mr and

Mrs. Ruddell and to the good work they had done

in Seagoe choir. The second social was arranged

at short notice to bid farewell to Mr. William Robb,

of Tarson, who is leaving for South Manchester next

week. Mr. Robb has sung in the choir as tenor since

he came from Glasgow two years ago. He has also

given much kind help at our social gatherings, being

an expert violinist and banjoist. The choir felt that

they could not let him go without a tangible expression

of regret and regard. After tea and games and some

music the presentation was made by Mrs. T. H. Wilson

to Mr. Robb. It consisted of a pocket Bible and a

travelling rug. The Rector spoke of the great help

Mr. Robb had been in the choir and wished him on

Behalf of all present much success in his new sphere

of life. Other speeches were made by Messrs. Rennix,

Murray, Dermott, Gracey and the Rev. W. A. Henry.

Mr. Robb thanked the choir for their valuable and

useful gifts.

The Confirmation.

A large number of young people have already sent

in their names as desirous of confirmation and many

others have signified their intention of joining the

classes as soon as they are started. Mr. Robt. Gracey

has held a preliminary class for candidates in the

Parochial Hall for some weeks and it has been

largely attended. The date of the Confirmation as

announced last month is Friday, June 8th, at 8 p.m.

The Rector preached a sermon on Confirmation

in the Parish Church on the morning of Sunday,

March 25th. The regular confirmation classes will

begin (D.V.) in the week commencing April 22nd.

Confirmation Classes.

The following classes will be held

For Girls, in Seagoe School, beginning on Monday,

April 23rd, and on each succeeding Monday.

For Boys, in Seagoe School, beginning on Thursday,

April 26th, at 8 p.m., and on each succeeding Thursday.

For Adults—A class for adults will be held in

Seagoe School on Sundays at 4 p.m., beginning on

Sunday, April 30th. Will intending candidates

please take note of these dates.

Death of Mr. Joseph Macoun.

We record with much regret the death at an

advanced age of Mr. Joseph Macoun, which occurred

at his residence, Oakfield, Antrim Road, Belfast, on

March 2nd. The interment took place in Old Seagoe

graveyard. Mr. Macoun had been in failing health

for some years but revisited Seagoe and spent an

afternoon at the Rectory some eighteen months ago.

In his earlier years Mr. Macoun, who then resided

in Tamnifiglasson, filled many important positions

in the Parish and was a close and trusted friend of

Archdeacon Saurin. He had many amusing and

interesting things to tell of these old days. He was

a member of the first Select Vestry formed in Seagoe

Parish after Disestablishment and was elected to

that office on Easter Monday, April 18th, 1870. On

leaving Seagoe, Mr. Macoun went into business at

Donaghcloney and after some years took up his

residence in Belfast. He had always a great affection

for Seagoe and never tired of sounding its' praises.