December 1915

Seagoe Parish Magazine

DECEMBER, 1915.

The Sustentation Fund.

To Our Readers.

We wish all our Readers at home, and at the front,

a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous and Victorious New Year

ADVENT, 1915.

No season of the Christian Year brings to us so

impressive a Message as Advent.

It speaks to us of

Sin, Death, Judgment, and Eternity

In the presence of this awful War which is hurling into Eternity

every moment so many of our bravest and best, the

lesson of Advent, should come home to Christian

hearts with a new force. It calls for Special Prayer

and Preparation, and a fuller realisation of the greatness

of the Spiritual as compared with the Material.

' The things which are seen are temporal, but the

things which are not seen are Eternal."

We invite the Parishioners to attend the Parish

Church with special regularity during Advent. At

all the Services by special Prayers and Hymns, we

will learn to think more constantly and seriously of

that Day when God shall judge the world in

Righteousness.

The Vacant Curacy,

The Rev. G. Bloomer having taken up his work as

Curate of St. Mark's, Portadown, the Curacy of Seagoe

is vacant. The Rector hopes that before long he may

be able to obtain the assistance of a curate. Owing to

the fact that a large number of Divinity Students,

and also of the Junior Clergy have joined the New

Army as Chaplains and in other capacities, the supply

of Assistant Clergy has been greatly diminished and

the task of filling a vacant Curacy is by no means an

easy one.

Roll of Honour,

The following names were added to our Seagoe

Roll of Honour, during November. We congratulate

these lads heartily on their desire to service " King and

Country " in this great crisis.

Samuel Best, Canadians.

David Boyce, 10th R.I F.

David Webb, 10th R.I.F.

William G. Gracey, (Cadet) 10th R.I.F.

Protestant Orphan Society.

We acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the

following sums from Carne Sunday School

:—Collecting Cards—Pearl Grimshaw, 3s 3d; Hannah

Coulter, 5s ; Hannah Caddell, 14s ; Theresa Ramsey,

5s 6d ; total, 7s 9d ; also from Dorothy Stevenson, 2s 6d.

The Annual Collection for the Sustentation Fund

is now being made through the Parish. The

Collectors would esteem it a great kindness if

contributors would please have their subscriptions ready

when they call. We hope also that our subscribers

will endeavour to increase the amount they

give. Although we are in war time, there is really

more money in circulation than before the war broke

out. The Government has dealt very liberally with

the wives and families of those who have enlisted,

and the Farmers also as a class, have had the

advantage of good markets and high prices. The Old

Church of Ireland which has weathered so many

campaigns needs your loyal and generous help.

The Late Private F, Currie,

Many of our readers

will be glad to have a

portrait of the late

Private F. Currie, formerly

resident in Ballymacrandle, and a

member of our Seagoe

Church Lads' Brigade

He died in hospital at

Alexandria from wounds

received at the Dardanelles in August.

Malta's Tribute to a Seagoe Hero.

The Rector has received a kind letter from the

Rev. Maurice A. Farren, Chaplain to the Forces at

Malta, who attended Private Clayton before his death

from wounds last month at Malta, as reported in our

last issue. He says, writing on November 19th.

Private Clayton was admitted to Tigne Hospital on

September 11th, and died on October 2nd. He had

a gunshot wound in chest and back and also

pneumonia. He was buried in the Military Cemetery

here. A photo of the Cemetery has been or will be

sent to his Mother. He was buried with full Military

honours. The coffin was covered with a Union Jack,

and on the coffin rested a Helmet, Belt, and Bayonet.

and a Wreath with the following inscription,

Malta's Tribute to Dead Heroes."

P.S.—The delay in answering your letter was due

to the fact that there are 25 Hospitals in the Island.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Hunting Turkeys at the Dardanelles.

Private Arthur Allen, of Florence Court, Edenderry,

writes from Gallipoli, under date 12/9/15, as

follows :—

We are getting along fairly well these last two

weeks, as we are not doing much fighting. We are

still in the Trenches, but I can stand it all right, It

is just the same to me as

GOING OUT FOR A HUNT.

It does not annoy me in the least, only when the

shells and the bullets are flying. But I can tell you

I have been very lucky so far, and I hope I will be

always. I hope David is well. I was dreaming

about him falling down stairs. I suppose Arthur

will soon be able to do some fishing now, and as for

Bob and Lizzie I suppose they could eat them. I

hope Bob and his granda have some old yarns to tell

one another yet.

Again. under date 26/9/15, he writes—

I received your papers all right, and also the

Magazine. I see a few names in it of the wounded,

and I can tell you there is a great; lot not in it. We

have lost the half of the Battalion, if not more. I

may tell you we have not done much fighting since,

but I can tell you we shell each other very hard

every day, and I would not mind

To HAVE ANOTHER DIG

at them if it would finish it, but I think it is going

to last a good while yet.

We can see plenty of them

NICE TURKEYS RUNNING ABOUT

here, but we are waiting until they get fatter and

nearer Christmas,

Under date 1/10/15 he writes—

We are in a place they call Salonika. It belongs

to Greece. We are not in the firing lines yet, so we

are safe for a while longer. I can tell you I am a

happier man than the Kaiser. I never worry about

nothing.

Under date 30/10/15 he writes—

I got the " Portadown Express " all right. We are

now at Salonika, and we will be getting a shot at the

Bulgarians next. I had a letter from Wm. James,

and he was telling me I was reported killed, but

there is

NOT A DROP OUT OF ME

yet, Do not be uneasy, I am all right. Never get

down-hearted.

Hacknahay G.F.S.

The opening meeting of the G.F.S. at Hacknahay,

was held on Tuesday, November 9th, at Miss

Calvert's house in Breagh. There was a large attendance,

The Rector presided, and, after prayer, gave

a short address on " The Word of God."

Three new members were admitted, The meetings are

held on alternate Tuesdays.

Christmas in Seagoe.

Christmas in Seagoe will be very different this year

from other years. So many of our men are at the

Front, that our thoughts will be turned away

from home rather than towards home. Perhaps the

result of this will be, that our Christmas will this

year partake less of Social Mirth, and more of deeper

Christian feeling. The Birth of our Lord with its

significant accompaniment of promised Peace, will

touch a chord in many a heart saddened by the

anxieties of War.

On Christmas Day there will be Celebrations of

Holy Communion at 8 a.m., and after Morning

Prayer (11-30 a.m).

The offerings on Christmas Day at both Services

will be given to the Clothing Fund for the Poor of

the Parish.

Women's Emergency Corps.

SEAGOE BRANCH.

The following gratifying results have been

accomplished between Sept. 1st and Dec. 1st :—

Amount received in Boxes for Comforts, £20 Os 9d.

71 Pairs of Socks.

60 Pairs of Mittens.

5 Mufflers.

Quilt Squares, Nightshirts and

2 Full Kit Bags.

Miss I. Atkinson acts as Hon. Sec. of the Branch.

His Last Letter.

[A pathetic interest is attached to this letter from

Private Isaac Gilpin of Florence Court, Edenderry,

who was killed in action in France, on September

19th. It was his last letter. Private Gilpin was

in " C " Company, Durham Light Infantry. The

letter was addressed to his sister, Mrs. Tate, 25

Railway Street, Edenderry.]

Dear Sister,

Just a few lines, hoping this finds you all

well, as this leaves me at present. I received your

little present, and was very thankful for it, and I

have got George's address also. This is by return of

post.

26/7/1915.

Dear Sister, I am in the firing line with the Battalion,

doing my little bit with the rest of them. It

is a bit noisy out here just now, but we will have to

beat them. I will write to George later, This is all now.

Yours,

ISAAC.

Seagoe Parish Almanac.

The Parish Almanac for 1916, Price One Penny,

is now on sale throughout the Parish, and at Mrs.

Collins, 18 Bridge Street.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

ITEMS,

Mr. Devine, of Knock, has very kindly offered to

visit in the Parish as Voluntary Helper during the

vacancy in the Curacy. Mr. Devine for many years

gave valuable help in assisting the Rector of

Charlemont in his Parish work.

Mr. Thomas Carroll, National Board Inspector,

made his Annual Inspection of Seagoe School on

Thursday, November 18th. He expressed himself

very much pleased with the progress of the pupils,

and the comfort and complete equipment of the

School buildings.

During the past month Messrs. George Locke,

David Best and John Greene have taken the services

in Tamnificarbet Hall at 7 0'clock on Sunday evenings.

The children of Seagoe Day School, both boys and

girls, are busily engaged working for the soldiers.

The following girls have already done useful work ;

Amy Holmes (Muffler), Henny Porter, Isabella Best,

Martha Ellis, Lily Lewie, May Best, Mary Wilson,

Mary J. Atkinson (Socks), Mary Coulter, Eva Magee,

Pearl Reid and Amy Reid (Mittens). These gifts

will be sent to the Soldiers at the Front at Christmas.

When writing to the 9th Battalion don't put

' Ulster Division " on the address.

We offer our hearty congratulations to Mr. and

Mrs. David W. Walker on their recent marriage.

Mr. Walker has always shown a keen interest in

Seagoe Parish. We wish him and Mrs. Walker

much blessing and happiness, and we hope often to

see them amongst us, although for the present,

owing to the claims of business, they have to reside

in Belfast.

The 9th Battalion has emerged from a second

period in the front trenches without a single casualty,

although we hear they inflicted some serious losses

on the enemy.

We regret to record the death, in October last, of

John, the infant son of Mr. Thomas E. Maginnis, of

Breagh, aged 9 months. The Interment took place

at Knocknamuckley. Much sympathy has been

expressed with Mr. and Mrs. Maginnis in the loss of

their little child.

Offertories for November.

Sunday – Mornings £3 12 9

Evenings 1 10 0

Week days 0 5 4

£5 8 1

A Relic from the Trenches

Private Samuel Gracey (Canadians), Carrickblacker

Road, picked up the following German letter

in a captured German trench. It has been translated

by Miss Amy Walker, of Seagoe :—

My dearest Auguste,

21-4-15.

In this beautiful evening hour I take up

my pen to answer your loving letter, which I have

been expecting for so long a time. I was glad to

learn that you are still well. You are in my dreams

both night and day. Everybody here is talking

about peace, and how happy should I be if it were

true We shall hope that things will soon be changed.

Write and let me know if W. and H. Kassinck are

well. Give them my kindest regards.

I remain,

Your ever loving

LINIE.

Farming in France

[Mr. George Calvert has received the following very

interesting letter from a Parishioner of Seagoe now

serving in France with the 9th Batt. R.I.F.]

14/11/15.

Dear Mr. Calvert,

You might like to know how we are getting

along out here. Well, we are enjoying the best of

health, though the weather this last fortnight has

been very cold and wet. At the first when we

arrived in this country we could not understand the

language of the people, so when we wanted to buy

anything we had to use signs to get them to know

what we wanted. But now we are able to ask for the

most of things. There are no houses scattered

through the country like at home. Every two and

three miles there are small villages, which are very

old. The walls of the houses are built with mud,

and the roofs are a kind of very thick slates. The

best buildings are the Chapels, which are fine

structures. There is one in each village.

The farmers all live in the villages, some of them

having to travel as far as three miles to their farms.

They have wheels made for carrying all their

machinery to and from their farms. They store

their mangold and potatoes in cellars below their

houses. The apples are very abundant: there are

trees growing everywhere. Sometimes when we are

out marching we see apples lying thick along the

roadsides, but the Irish apples are the best flavoured.

The people make cider for their own use ; they don't

seem to care much for eating apples raw.

The horses are the very best, and ore well-trained.

They plough with teams of three, and have only a,

single rein to the hand horse for driving. I can

never find out how they get them to turn to the

right ; it must be by speaking to them. The majority

of the horses are grey ones.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

I suppose the Government bought up all the dark coloured ones for the

war. The most of the farmers thresh their grain

with the old fashioned windmills. The small

farmers and bakers use something like the old

treadmill ; the horse is started to walk up an endless

staircase, which is boxed in very narrow. It seems

funny to see him walking as hard as he can and

getting no further, as the weight of himself makes

the stairs revolve. The cattle are the shorthorn

type, and are fine animals ; they are all a deep red

colour. I have not seen a single beast a bad colour.

The women and children lead the cows to the fields,

as many as four cows being tied to the one rope.

There are few young calves or bullocks to be seen.

The pigs are much the same as Irish. Whenever they

are killing one, they tie its hind legs to a cart wheel,

tumbles it and bleeds it the same way as ours, then

covers it over with straw, and sets the straw on fire,

and burns the pig until the skin begins to come off,

then wash it in water.

One thing Chat seems very strange is the people

going on with their everyday work and the war so

near their homes. The farmers are sowing corn and

wheat, and ploughing the land for the spring crops,

all within the sound of the big guns.

Rev. F. J. Halahan is one of the Chaplains

attached to our Brigade. He holds a service twice on

Sunday for us in an old barn ; our Colonel reads the

lesson. We have got a choir of men started, and it

greatly improves the singing at the services. The

people are very pleasant and agreeable. Eatables

are all very dear. Eggs are 2d each ; milk, 4d a

quart ; bread, 10d a loaf ; butter, 1s 3d a three-quarter

pound print.

This will be a very tiresome letter to read, as I

have written it in a very rambling style.

Baptisms,

Baptized on November 6th, 1915 :—

M 'Kerr—James, son of James and Sarah Anne M'Kerr, of Portadown.

Sponsors—Emily Neill, Sarah Anne M'Kerr.

Tate—George, son of Thomas and Sarah Tate, of Portadown.

Sponsors—Mary Watson, Sarah Tate.

M'Loughlin—Martha Jane, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Anne M'Loughlin, of Killicomaine.

Sponsors—Martha Smartt, Elizabeth Anne M'Louglin.

Received into the Congregation :—

Smith—Margaret, daughter of Aaron and Sarah Anne Smith, of Edenderry,

having been Privately Baptized, through illness, on September 26th, 1915,

was publicly " received into the congregation of Christ's flock " on November 6th, 1915.

Sponsors —Margaret Hawthorne, Sarah Anne Smith.

Marriages.

Magee and McNeill—13th November, 1915, Alfred David Magee, of Kernan

to Judith McNeill, of Ballymacrandle.

Simpson and Livingston—19th November, 1915, George Simpson, of Carne,

to Susanna Jane Livingston, of Killicomaine.

Burials.

Magee—Nov. 10th, 1915, Margaret Anne Magee, of Kernan, aged 42 years.

M 'Cormick — Nov. 13^th 1915, M'Cormick, of Drumnagoon, aged 7 years.

Old Seagoe Notes.

Levaghery Girls' School, 1845.—Miss Rachel

Magee, of Breagh, sends us the following lines which

she learned from a Mrs. Millar when coming home

one day from Levaghery Girls' School (taught by

Miss Burrell), over seventy years ago. We regret we

have only space for a few lines :—

MY BANKER.

I have a never failing Bank,

A more than golden store ;

No earthly Bank is half so rich,

How can I then be poor.

'Tis when my stock is spent and gone,

And I without a grot,

I'm glad to hasten to my Bank

And beg a little note.

I know my Bank will never break,

No, it can never fail ;

The firm, Three Persons in One God,

Jehovah, Lord of All.

Seagoe Surnames, 1898-1912.—An Index has

recently been compiled of the Baptismal Register of

Seagoe during the 14 years ending in 1912, The

total number of Baptisms for that period numbered

1,056. The section under the letter M is by far the

largest, containing over 200 names, " W " makes a

good second, The names beginning with B rank

third. Among the surnames which occur most

frequently are Best, Coulter, Dickson, Gracey, Magee,

Neill, Porter, Thompson, Webb, Wilson. The

Christian names most in favour for Boys are—

William (always with a second name following),

Samuel, Thomas (with second name), Joseph, Robert

and for Girls—Mary, Elizabeth, Anne, Sarah, Elizabeth

Charlotte. No surnames begin with the letters O or I.

Schools and Classes,

SUNDAY SCHOOLS -Morning, at 10 a.m., in Seagoe

Parochial School and in Edenderry Parochial Hall.

Afternoon, at 3 p.m., in Seagoe, Edenderry, Hacknahay

Levaghery, Carne. At 3-30 p.m„ Drumgor.

Infant School—Wooden Hall, Edenderry, at 3 p.m.

BIBLE CLASSES—Sunday Morning, at 10 p.m.

For Men—Edenderry Wooden Hall.

Seagoe Orange Hall.

For Women—Edenderry (Anchor Cafe).

Seagoe Parochial School.

Sunday Afternoon, Edenderry Parochial Hall, at 3 p.m.

Week-day Classes are held from October to May in

Carne and Drumgor at 8 p.m., and in Hacknahay at 7-30.

The Girls' Friendly Society meets in Edenderry.

Hacknahay, and Drumgor each week from October to May

DAY SCHOOLS—Seagoe National School, 9-30a.m.

Principal : Mr. S. R. Chambers.

Hacknahay School, 9-30 a.m.

Principal : Miss M. Wilson.

Men's Recreation Room. Edenderry Wooden Hall, is

open each evening from 7-50 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Band Of Hope meets each month at various Parish centres.

Parish Services.

Holy Communion—Ist Sunday of Month, after Morning

Prayer; 3rd Sunday at 8, and on Chief Festivals.

Holy Baptism 1st Saturday of Month at 3, and at any

Public Service of the Church. if due notice is given.

N.B. Two sponsors at' least are required in the case of

each child brought for Baptism.

Churchings before each Baptismal Service.

Sunday Services—Morning Prayer, 11-30 a.m.

Evening Prayer, 7 p.m.

Services are also held in Hacknahay School, Drumgor

Church Hall, and Tamnificarbet Orange Hall, at 7 p.m. on

Sunday evenings.

Week-day Services—Every Wednesday evening, in

the Parish Church at 8 p.m.

Marriages may take place in the Parish Church between

8 a.m and 2 p m. Fee, 5/- and upwards.

The Very Rev. Dean O' Loughlin, D.D, Rector of Lurgan,

issues Licences for this Parish.

Funerals will be attended by the Clergy, if due notice

be given.

FOR

UP-TO-DATE

JOB PRINTING

CALL AT THE

Portadown News Office,

YOU CAN SAVE MONEY ON EVERY PAIR OF BOOTS

Bought at

McCREA'S.

Novelties in Ladies' and Children's BOOTS & SHOES.

here isn't a Boot or Shoe handled by us that we

cannot highly recommend. We buy the products of the

best manufacturers, and Sell at Lowest Cost Price.

BETTER VALUE IMPOSSIBLE.

JAMES TWINEM,

General Draper and Outfitter,

2, MANDEVILLE STREET,

Begs to remind his numerous Friends and Customers that he holds a large and varied

STOCK OF FIRST-CLASS DRAPERY AND OUTFITTING,

Which he is Selling at the Lowest Prices. He desire; thank them for their patronage, soliciting

a further continuance of the same. and heartily invites all those who have not already called,

to do so, assuring them of the very Best Attention and Value procurable in the Trade.

His Motto of Advertising is: Good Value, combined with Excellence of Quality.

A TRIAL SOLICITED.

MRS. METCALF,

No. 72

BRIDGE STREET,

first-Class

Confectionery, Sweets,

toys,

Tobacco.

DEPOT FOR

SEAGOE PARISH PUBLICATIONS.

Ye Anchor Cafe,

First-Class Restaurant Upstairs.

AT THE BRIDGE.

five minutes walk front Station.

Breakfasts.

Luncheons,

Teas.

HOT LUNCHEONS DAILY

From 1 to 3 0'eloek.

PRICES

VERY MODERATE . . .

Separate Rooms for Country Weddings

if Notiee is given,

THOMAS KERR,

Sanitary and Heating Engineer, Plumber,

Gas and Steam Fitter. and Bell Hanger.

BEST WORKMANSHIP GUARANTEED.

All work entrusted to my care shall have prompt

and careful attention.

SEWERS TESTED AND REPORTED UPON.

44, CASTLE STREET, PORTADOWN.

SICKNESS.

If you have a Bad Cold try a Bottle

of SANDFORD'S COMPOUND

ESSENCE OF LINSEED.

When run down in health, a Bottle

of SANDFORD'S MALT AND

COD LIVER OIL set you right.

Why be troubled with Skin Eruptions, Pimples, &c., when

Certain Cure—SANDFORD'S BLOOD PURIFIER

—can be had for A Shilling.

Have you Indigestion? If so, exchange it at Sandford's

for a Bottle of DR. JOHN'S DIGESTIVE AND

CURATIVE SYRUP.

JOHN SANDFORD,

CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST,

8 HIGH STREET,

POSTADOWN.

Robert Wallace,

General

Ladies' & Gents'

Tailor,

and

Breeches maker.

10 BRIDGE STREET

PORTADOWN.