December 1913

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

DECEMBER, 1913.

A Happy Christmas !

We wish all our readers at home

and abroad a very Happy Christmas.

CHRISTMAS is the season of Peace and Goodwill

because we commemorate then the Birth into

this world, in the Manger of Bethlehem, of the

Prince of Peace. Let us try to make this season a

time, not merely of social enjoyment, but of sacred

memories and of devout worship.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES IN SEAGOE CHURCH.

Sunday evening, December 21st, Christmas Carols

will be sung by the Choir after Evening Prayer.

On Christmas Day— 8 a.m.—Holy Communion.

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

Communion.

The offerings at these services will be in aid of the

Clothing Fund for the Poor of the Parish.

The Beehive Bazaar.

The Beehive Bazaar will be held (D.v ) in the

Town Hall, Portadown, on Thursday, December 11th,

1913. The Opening Ceremony will take place at 3

o'clock. The Committee of Ladies in charge of the

arrangements have been working with great energy

for many weeks past, and a large quantity of most

useful goods have been gathered together for the

furnishing of the various stalls.

The Town Hall, where the Sale takes place, has

recently been renovated and decorated, and owing to

its central position, forms a most convenient place for

a Bazaar.

Various competitions and amusements have been

arranged, and we anticipate a crowded attendance of

parishioners and friends. An interesting feature of

the Bazaar is that gifts for the stalls are being sent

by old Seagoe friends from places very far distant,

some from the United States, some from Canada, and

a valuable parcel from Japan, kindly sent by our

old friend and former Curate, the Rev. W. T. Grey,

There is now but little over a fortnight before the

Bazaar so all our workers would be well advised to

concentrate all their efforts on their preparations for

it, so that it may be a great success. It will last but

one day, and those who have Collecting Cards should

strive to increase their Collections, and then, without

delay, hand in their Cards with the amount collected

to the " Queen Bees " from whom they received them.

The charge for admission to the Bazaar will be

Sixpence.

Sunday School Examinations.

Examinations in the work done during the past

year will be held on the following dates —

December 7th, Carne. December 14th, Edenderry

(afternoon). December 2 1 st, Hacknahay. December

28th, Drumgor. January 4th, Levaghery. January

11th, Seagoe (afternoon).

Examinations will be held in Seagoe Morning

Sunday School, and in Edenderry Morning Sunday

School, on Sunday morning, December 14th. Prizes

will be awarded to those who answer well at the

examinations.

PARISH REGISTER FOR NOV,

Baptisms

“ A little child shall lead them.'

Baptized on Saturday, November 1st, 1918.

Hill—George Alfred, son of James and Margaret Anne Hill.

Sponsors—Margaret Anne Hill, Ellen Jane McKane.

Maginnis—James, son of Thomas Edward, and Mary Adelaide Letitia Maginnis.

Sponsors—Sarah Charity Gilpin, Thomas Edward Maginnis.

Burials.

" Till the day break."

Robinson —November 15th—Mary Jane Robinson, Interred at Knocknamuckley. aged 66 years.

Wright—November 16th—Margaret Jane Wright of Edenderry, aged 73 years.

Brennan—November 22nd—Robert Brennan of Edenderry, aged 60 years. Interred at Milltown.

Gilpin—November 26th—Sarah Gilpin, of Kernan, aged 38 years.

Offertories for November.

" Give and it shall be given unto you."

Sunday—Mornings £6 0 1

Evenings £1 9 9

Week-days £0 4 1

Total, £7 13 11

On November 23rd, the Offertory for the Hibernian

Bible Society (included in above) amounted to

19s 7d.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

Advent.

On Sunday, November 30th, we enter upon the

season of Advent. The word means " Coming," and

during the ensuing four weeks the Church brings

before us the great and solemn subject of Our Lord's

Second Coming. The thought of the Master's

Coming should never be absent from our minds, but

during Advent attention is specially directed towards

it.

Special Addresses will be given on the Sunday

evenings in Advent on the following subjects ;—

November 30th—" Death."

December 7th—" Judgment."

December 14 th—" Hell."

December 21st—" Heaven."

Three Special Addresses will be given on the

Wednesday evenings in Advent on Three Missionary

Heroes as follows :—

Dec. 3rd—" Henry Martyn, of India."

10th—" Bishop Hannington, of Africa "

17th—“ Bishop Bompas, of Labrador

Presentations

Two Presentations were given to Miss M. Dickson

on the occasion of her departure from Seagoe Parish.

The pupils attending Hacknahay School where Miss

Dickson had taught for the past five years showed their

appreciation off her services by giving her a handsome

Handbag and Umbrella. The Presentation

was made in the School by the Rev. J. E. Archer, on

October 15th, The Members of the Choir also

signified their regard for Miss Dickson by presenting

her with a Gold Brooch at a Social Meeting, held in

Seagoe School, on Monday, October 13th. On both

occasions Miss Dickson feelingly expressed her regret

at leaving Seagoe.

The Day Schools.

The New Class Room in Seagoe School is rapidly

approaching completion, and will prove a valuable

addition to the existing premises. It will accommodate

80 additional pupils. The present Classrooms

are not sufficient for the number of pupils attending

the School. On Monday, January 5th, 1914, at 3-30,

the Opening Ceremony will take place. Who will

help towards the furnishing of the New Class Room ?

We are anxious that it should be furnished as a

Kindergarten Room for Infants. Desks, Pictures,

Kindergarten Apparatus, and everything necessary

for the adequa,te equipment of an Infant School will

be required.

Seagoe Literary and Debating Society.

The weekly meetings of this Society during

November have been well attended, and of great

interest. On November 4th, the President gave an

account of a Visit to the Field of Waterloo, and a

description of the incidents which occurred during the

famous battle. A most useful and lively Debate took

place on November 11th. Mr. Mason took up the

cudgels On behalf of Tariff Reform, and Mr W.

Clow argued in defence of Free Trade. Many other

excellent speeches were made, and in the end the

Tariff Reformers won the day. An essay by Mr. Sam

Reid, B.A , of Belfast, on " Moral Ideals," occupied

the attention of members on November 18th. A

large number of members spoke on the paper. Mr.

Reid expressed his views in a very clear and forcible

manner, and the paper gave rise to an interesting

discussion.

One of the most useful and also amusing subjects

was discussed on November 25th, when the Improvement

of Portadown from a Municipal point of view

held the undivided attention of members for more

than two hours. Three members sought election to

municipal office. The Offcial Candidate was Mr.

James Twinem, while Messrs. H. E. Doherty, and

J. J. Dobson sought once respectively as Labour and

Independent Candidates. The official candidate was

subjected to a running fire of criticism which he bore

with his usual good nature. During the Debate

many important questions of local interest were

discussed.

The programme for December is as follows:—

Dec. 2nd—Paper by Mr. W. Clow, J.P. on " Some

Elements of Success."

9th—Debate—" Are Strikes Justifiable." ?

16th—An Evening with Wordsworth.

[The works of Wordsworth, will be

considered by the Members.]

23rd—No Meeting.

30th—No Meeting.

The Society meets in Edenderry Parochial Hall on

Tuesday Evening at 8.

Public Lecture.

The Rev. G. Bloomer, B.A. Curate of Seagoe delivered

a most interesting Lecture on A Holiday in

Switzerland " in Tamnificarbet Hall on Thursday

November 27th at 8 p.m. The Lecturer recounted

his experiences during a recent visit to the Alpine

regions and provided his hearers with an admirable

series of views of Swiss scenery. There was a good

attendance and Mr. David Murray kindly presided at

the Lantern. The Proceeds were in aid of the Carbet

Harmonium Fund.

Seagoe Amateur Athletic Club.

This Club has been started in Seagoe Orange Hall

for the purpose of encouraging Physical Culture

among the young men of Seagoe. Mr David Guy

has kindly consented to train the members. The

Club meets on Tuesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. We

heartily recommend the men of the district to join

this club, and so gain the advantage of healthy

mind in a healthy body.

Seagoe Harriers have a cross-country run every

Saturday afternoon frorn Seagoe Orange Hall.

Cross-country running is one of the best and

healthiest sports.

SEAGOE

Hymns for December.

" Sing ye merrily unto God our strength,"

PARISH MAGAZINE.

[The congregation are asked to join heartily in

the singing of the Hymns.]

Dec. 7^th 32, 357, 73. E.—44, 369, 71, 77, 633;

Dec 14^th M 234, 605, 594. E.—577, 579, 136, 520.

Dec 21^st M. 476, 76, 137, 77. E.—75, 632, 166, 279, 557.

25th—Christmas Day—83, 87, 79.

Dec 28^th M 90 (ii), 401, 92, 376. E.—479, 377, 399, 381, 285.

Church and Sunday School

Attendance Cards,

3RD QUARTER.

SEAGOE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

1ST RANK AND GOLD SEAL—65.

Isabella Best 65 ; Mary Best G5 ; Mary J. Atkinson 65.

1ST RANK WITHOUT GOLD SEAL 60—65.—None.

2ND RANK 55—60.—None.

3RD Rachel Turkington 53; Maggie Mathers 52 ;

Minnie Hara 52 ; Bella McKerr 51.

4TH RANK 45—50.

Eva Webb 48 ; Rebecca Turkington 48 ; Elixa J.

McCormick 46.

EDENDERRY SUNDAY SCHOOL.

GOLD SEAL AND 1ST RANK 65.

Annie Walker 65 ; Sarah Walker 65 ;

Agnes Johnston 65.

1ST RANK Without GOLD SEAL 60-64.

Sarah Coulter 64 ; Maggie Rainey 64

Emma Martin 62 ; Bella Magee 62.

2ND RANK 55—60—None.

3RD RAMK 50—55.

Jemima Matchett 52; Hannah Johnston 52; Emma

Best 52; May Crawford 52; Dinah M'Nally 52; Sam

Magee 52; Arthur Allen 52; Wm. H. Best 52; Willie

Best 52; Isaac Clayton 52; Thos. Pickering 52.

4TH RANK 45—50.

Wm. Coulter 48; May Best 46; Alex Graham 46;

Emily Cox 45.

CARNE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

1ST RANK AND GOLD , SEAL —65.

Hannah Bella Caddell 65.

1ST RANK WITHOUT GOLD SEAL— -60—65.

Agnes Costello 62 ; Annie Costello

62 ;

Teresa Ramsay 61.

2ND RANK—55—60.—None.

3RD

James Simpson 51.

4TH

William J, Costello 48 ;

William J. Connelly 47.

Anna B. Coulter 48;

ITEMS.

Extensive alterations which will occupy seven

months, are being made at Portadown Station.

Some changes should be made to relieve the continual

block of vehicles at the entrance to the station.

We hope the Railway authorities will also erect a,

bridge in the station so that passengers will not have

to walk the whole length of the Station to get to the

farther platform.

The Rev. W. Bryan Brown's visit to Seagoe was

much appreciated and we trust will result in much

spiritual advantage.

Remember Thursday December 11th—The Beehive

Bazaar.

The Afternoon Sunday Schools are now graded into

Primary, Middle, and Senior Classes.

The trees have retained their leaves longer this

year than for many years past.

Those who have promised subscriptions towards

the painting of the Church, and who have not yet

paid them in, are asked kindly to do so without delay

to Mr. W. R. Atkinson.

Three notable stars close to each other in a line in

the East are Castor and Pollux and the planet Mars.

On December 10th, a shower of meteors may radiate

from Castor and Pollux. December 21st is the

shortest day.

The total sum collected at the Harvest Services

this year amounts to £22 7s 6d.

32 Potatoes dug on Mr. Lyness's Farm at Carne,

weighed half a hundredweight.

There have been many cases of serious illness in the

Parish last month. The inclemency of the weather

no doubt was the cause.

Mr. Liddell L. D.S. has been in attendance regularly

at Seagoe National School examining the teeth of

the children.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Death of Mr Robert Brennan

We regret very much to record the death of Robert

which took place after a long and trying illness

at his residence in Edenderry, on November

19th. He had been for many years a teacher in

Edenderry Sunday School, and was most diligent and

attentive in the fulfilment of his duties. He was also

a member of the Edenderry Men’s Bible Class and

while his health lasted he was scarcely ever absent

from it. He had a bright faith, and bore his long

illness with great courage and patience. His example

of steady Christian service will be long remembered

by those who had the pleasure of his friendship.

Our deep sympathy goes out to his bereaved relatives

in their affliction.

Harvest Services.

Harvest Thanksgiving Services were held during

November in Edenderry Parochial Hall, and in

Levaghery School. The hall had been very tastefully

decorated, and the congregations both on Sunday and

on Monday were very large, At the Sunday service

the Rev. H, Rennison, B.A., curate of Drumcree

spoke on " The Tares and the Wheat." The

offerings in aid of the Parochial Hall Fund amounted

to £3 6s 10d. On Monday the Rev. A. Cook gave an

address. The offerings were in part given to Foreign

Missions. The services at Levaghery on Sunday,

November 9th and Monday, 10th were well attended.

The Rector gave an address at the Sunday service,

and on the Monday evening the Rev. W. R. Crichton,

gave a stirring address. The Schoolroom was

crowded, and the Offerings were given to Foreign

Missions. The decorations were very bright and

pleasing, making the' old Schoolroom look prettier

than ever.

Carne Church Hall

The following is a List of the sums recently

collected for a new Stove in Carne Church Hall: —

Walter Curry 1s ; Joseph Reid 6d ; j. Russell Is 8d ;

George Simpson 2s 6d ; Agnes Costello 1s; Annie

Costello 9d ; Hannah Coulter 2s 6d ; H. B. Caddell

3s 3d ; R. Burrell 2d ; Willie Reavy 2s ld; W. J.

Caddell 2s ; Ellie Hewitt 2s 6d u, Jas. Simpson Is ;

Freddie Gilpin 9d; Abraham Caddell 8d; Walter

Reid Is 9d; W. J. Connolly Is 8d ; T. Simpson 1s;

1. Murray 3s 6d. Total, £l 10s 7d.

Old Seagoe Notes,

Seagoe Parish in the year A.D., 1444.—In the

year 1444 the population of Seagoe and the surrounding

neighbourhood was much smaller than it is at

present. At that time the country was still under

tribal conditions, and although Parish boundaries had

been carefully marked, church work was not carried

out under the same settled conditions as in the

present day. Inter tribal conflicts had not yet ceased,

and life was not safe in the open country. The

Church was not largely endowed with this world's

goods, and many of the Parishes were poor. It

happened then, as sometimes now in the case of

Parishes in the South and West of Ireland, that a

Union was formed of several Parishes. In the

middle of the 15th century such a Union was formed

in Seagoe. Bishop Reeves in his " Antiquities of

Down, and Connor, and Dromore." gives us some

interesting particulars regarding it. He says—' In

the year 1444 the perpetual Vicarages of Teach-a-

ghawa and Enachloisgy being at a moderate distance

from each other, and the population not being

sufficiently large to support each separately were

united by the Primate with the consent of the Chapter

of Dromore." The identity of the latter Parish is not

quite clear, but Teach-a-Ghawa is easily identified

with Teg-da-Goba the house or abode of Goban,

now known as Seagoe. What Parish is represented

by Enachloisgy ? " Bishop Reeves thinks that it

was the Parish of Seapatrick or Banbridge, but that

is more or less a guess on his part as there is not

much evidence to go upon. It seems almost as if it

might have been some Parish in the Diocese of

Armagh, more immediately under the jurisdiction of

the Primate whose consent. to the Union was

evidently necessary.

An Old Vestry Record of Seagoe, 1725.—At

Vestry held in the Parish Church of Sego on Easter

Monday, the 29th of March, 1725, held for ye said

Parish, it was enacted, concluded, and agreed upon by

the Minister, Churchwardens, and Parishioners then

present, that the sum of £8 17s 2d sterling, be levied

of ye Parish for the uses following :—

For Ellements and providing

Ellements for ye Insuing year £1 16 0

For George Ramsay for Ringing

ye Bell and keeping ye Church

clean £2 0 0

Articles and Charges of the

Churchwardens and Sidesmen £0 16 0

For Washing the Surplice £0 7 6

For Washing the Table Linnen £0 2 0

Due to the Old Churchwardens,

viz., Robert Wilson and Geo.

Ruddil £3 14 8

Of which sum there is due to

Woollsey Smurphet for washing

and mending ye Surplices

this lost year £0 7 6

To George Ramsay £2 0 0

And to Woollsey Smurphet for

Writing done £1 0 0

and to Mr. Campbell £0 4 9

Certificate of Exclusion from Hearth-money,

1705.—Wee do Heerby Certifie that K. R. of the

Parish of Sego, is a verry poor man, and lives upon

Almes, and is not able to get his Living by his work

or Labour, and soe not Lyable to be charged with the

payment of Hearth-money by neither of the Acts.

Dated ye 3rd day of Apral, 1705.

An Interesting Baptismal Entry, 1720.—

1720, Margaret daughter of Edward Harrison, a,

Souldier in Major Dunbar's Company, and Mary, his

wife. Baptized privately, February ye 18th.

Erratum —In last month's Old Seagoe Notes the

Christian name of Mr. Atkinson in the " First Select

Vestry" should have been "Thomas David."

the children.

Erratum —In last month's Old Seagoe Notes the

Christian name of Mr. Atkinson in the " First Select

Vestry" should have been "Thomas David."