Seagoe Parish Magazine.
DECEMBER, 1920,
How the New Legislation will affect
Seagoe Parish.
[We have received the following important letter from Lt.-Colonel Blacker.
It explains
very clearly how the Parish will be affected by the New Church Acts passed at the
General Synod, held in Dublin, on November 9th —13th, 1920. Colonel Blacker's
suggestions. as to how the new responsibilities may be met, deserve the serious
consideration of the Parishioners.]
The Act, entitled the Minimum Clergy Stipend Bill, recently passed by the General Synod
is of such far-reaching importance, and affects so vitally the future existence of Seagoe Parish, that
I am convinced that its provisions, and what they entail, should be plainly put before all the
members, of the Church in Seagoe.
Briefly this Bill enacts that in ,the event of a vacancy occurring in the incumbency or curacy off
any parish, no clergyman will be appointed to fill such vacancy, until the Diocesan Council are
satisfied that a minimum Stipend of £400 a your nd a free house for the Rector, and £200 a year
(with annual increase of £5 for each year's service) for the Curate is guaranteed.
Let us consider how this affects Seagoe :—At present the Rector's stipend is £300 a year, out
of which he has to pay £30 on the glebe. The payment of this stipend is assured from Endowment,
consequently all the money raised by the Sustentation Fund is available for the Curate.
Last year the Subscriptions to the Sustentation Fund came to about £175. To bring the Stipends
of the Clergy up to the requisite minimum,a further sum of £130 for the Rector and about £45 for the Curate will have to be found, making an increase of £175. Thus the Parish will have to raise
annually £350 instead of £175.
What is the alternative ?
Should the present Rector be transferred, or become non effective, the Parish of Seagoe, containing
some 3,000 Church people would probably be amalgamated with neighbouring Parish, and
thus lose its identity. I cannot think that anyone in Seagoe would desire this to occur.
The remedy is in our own hands. We must increase our Subscriptions to the Sustentation Fund.
I made an appeal last year with little practical result. I again earnestly entreat each parishioner, if
he is a Subscriber to the Sustentation Fund, to double his Subscription this year; and if he is not a
Subscriber to become one.
For a Parish of 3000 church people the raising of £350 annually for the Sustentation Fund
should present no difficulties. I do not think there is any Parish in the Diocese whose contributions
to the Sustentation Fund are so small in proportion to the Church Population. This is surely a blot
on Seagoe.
As a practical basis to work on I would suggest the following plan to determine the amount
each should subscribe—
For Farmers—1s 6d for each acre held.
For Workers—3d a week (or say 4s year) for each £1 a week wages.
Thus a farmer holding 20 acres would give 30s a year, and a worker getting 80s a week
6s a year.
Roughly about 1/200th instead of 1/ 10th, which we are enjoined by scripture to set apart for
the Service of God.
Now some may contingency has not yet arisen : It will be quite time enough to
worry when the occasion arises." To such I would reply—Surely if the increased Stipend is necessary for future Incumbents, it is quite as essential for the existing clergy, who are the only class in the community who have had to bear the greatly Increased cost of living with no increase of income.
I would ask each member of the Church to carefully consider the situation as outlined in this
letter, and do whatever lies in his power to help to keep our Old Parish of Seagoe as a separate
unit in the Diocese.
Marlfield, Winchester, Nov, 20th, 1920.
STEWART W. BLACKER, LT.-COLONEL.
SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE
Christmas, 1920.
We wish all our Readers a very happy Christmas and a bright and prosperous new year.
Advent Services,
A special Advent Tract has been widely distributed
through the Parish. It will remind the Parishioners
of the duty which Advent impresses upon us of
Watchfulness and Prayer. On Advent Sunday the
beautiful Hymns and Music from the New Hymnal
Were well sung,and a fair number of the Congregation
were present at Holy Communion.
During this season at all the Services there will be
special prayers and hymns, suitable to the time.
Christmas Day.
On Christmas Day, Saturday 25th December, the
following Services will be held—
8 a.m.—Holy Communion.
11-30 a.m.—Morning Prayer, Sermon and Holy
Communion.
The offertory alms at both services will be for the
Poor Fund of the Parish, on which many calls are
being made just now.
PARISH REGISTER for NOV,
Baptisms.
The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish
Church on November 6th, 1920.
Glassey— George Charles, son of William John and Rosina Glassey Of Portadown
Sponsors—Mary Marchesi, Rosina Glassey
Stanfield—William John, son of Thomas Edward and Mary Jane Stanfield of Edenderry
Sponsors —Thomas Edward Stanfield, Mary -June Stanfield.
Ellis—Samuel, son of James and Agnes Ellis, of Killicomaine.
Sponsors—Lily Ellis, Agnes Ellis.
Partridge—Margaret, daughter of Benjamin and Olivia Partridge, of Kernan.
Sponsors—Sarah Mary Porter, Olivia Partridge.
Burials,
Hewitt—November 8th, Emma Jane Hewitt, of Tarson. aged 88.
Simpson—November 17th, George Simpson, of Ballinacorr, aged 59 years.
Atkinson —Nov. 25th, Mary Margaret Atkinson, of Edenderry, aged 79 years.
McCoo—Nov. 26th, Mary McCoo, Of Edenderry, aged 51, years. Interred at Vinecash.
We regret to record the death of Mr. George
Simpson, of Ballinacorr, which occurred with great
suddenness. He passed to his rest after but a few
minutes illness.
Death has also removed from our midst one who was
very well known to many, Miss Mary Margaret Atkinson
of "Newstone," sister of Mr. Wolsey Atkinson. Miss
Atkinson had been in failing health for some time,
and gradually getting weaker, passed away on Nov.
23rd. She had spent almost all her long life in
Seagoe Parish, and was greatly attached to it. She
loved to worship within the walls of the Parish Church,
which she had known ;from childhood. On behalf
of the Parishioners we express our sincere sympathy
with the bereaved in their trouble.
Seagoe Kalendar.
The Few Seagoe Kalendar will be ready on Dec.
llth—price Sixpence. It will be a Red, White and
Blue Kalendar. It will contain the names of "Our
Fallen Heroes," printed in a handsome and appropriate
setting. It will contain a fine half tone Block
of Seagoe Church, and an interesting photograph of
the Ulster Volunteer Camp of 1914, at Carrickblacker.
It will also contain "The Story of Seagoe," printed for
the first 'time, also the Parish Motto for 1921, and
complete Calendar for the New Year. The number
of copies will be strictly limited, so secure your copy
early, if you want to get one, unlike last year when
so many were unable to get a copy. The Kalendar
will be on sale at Kyle's Grocery Stores, 16 Bridge
Street, and may also be had from any of the Sunday
school superintendents throughout the Parish.
The Rev. T- H. Scanlon.
The Rev. T. H. Scanlon paid a visit to Seagoe last
week. His many friends were delighted to see him.
Mr. Scanlon played a very courageous part in the
recent Tempo Raid, and was twice shot at by the
raiders, When he was trying to carry Sergeant Lucas
(who has since died Of his wounds) into the Rectory,
Mrs Scanlon also acted very bravely. Mr Scanlon has
been personally thanked by the Military and Police
authorities for his action. Mr Scanlon has been
Rector of Tempo for the past year. The Rectory is
beside the police barrack in the village, and Sergeant
Lucas fell wounded at the Rectory door. Mr Scanlon
gave evidence at the inquest in Belfast. We congratulate
Mr and Mrs Scanlon on their courage.
Presentation.
Mr. &.Mrs. Thos. England have arrived in Canada.
Before he left Mr England received several practical
expressions of goodwill from the Parish. The Choir
presented him with a Bible. The presentation was
made at a social in Seagoe School, most generously
given by Mr and Mrs T. H. Wilson. A most enjoyable
evening was spent. The members of Seagoe Girls'
Bible Class presented him with a handsome suede
Wallet,and the Teachers & Children off Seagoe morning
Sunday School gave him a Fountain Pen. We hope
soon to hear from Mr and Mrs England from their
new home beyond the sea.
SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.
WITH THE "NINTH" IN FRANCE,
By Lieut.„C01. W. S. BLACKER, D.S.O.
Thursday, Jan. 13th, 1916.
I had to send in a Junior Officer's name for attachment
to 1ll Army for probable appointment to
Staff. I asked "G" if he would go and he said he
would sooner stay with the Batt. I was rather
pleased. I believe they have had great games the
last night of the old year. Band out playing "Auld
Lang Syne,” and Fergie in his element !
Friday, Jan, 14th.
Lovely sunny day. Busy inspecting Billets all
my, and gave Lecture on "Battle of copy
of one given by a man who was there on X Corps
Staff.
Saturday, Jan. 15th.
Sunday, Jan. 16th.
We had service with the Downs this a.m. It
then came on to drizzle, but cleared up after 'lunch,
-when Pratt, Padre, and I walked to R—, about 2
niles, and went to see our former landladies, who
were delighted to see us. Came, round by Brigade
Office, and saw the Gen. for a short time. He had
been out to a village where Ensor is trying to erect
Huts, without wood.
We are to get our 2nd lot of M.G. is, and the 1st
lot from each Battalion form a M.G. Company—a
separate Unit. Just had a nice bath first since
Euston Hotel. Berry returned Tuesday. I expect
the Primate will be here next Sunday. I see Going
has been promoted Brevet Lt.-Col. in Res. of Offcers.
Curious reward. I suppose he has been in some push.
Oliver made a regular Maj,-Gen., and Griffths a
Brevet-Colonel.
Monday, Jan. 17th.
Rode out to-day to see if I could get any cool.
Can't get any from A.SAC. A problematic 9 cwt a
week for 1,000 men ! I bought 1,200 lbs. this p.m.
for 42 francs, not too dear, but double What they
Charged a week ago, They have posted two officers
from G.H.Q. School for Officers to join on 30th. I
wonder what they will be like. Pratt very keen about
his coffee shop. A fine a.m. turned to rain all p m.
Laundry and Baths going strong. The rest Of A
Company go off to-morrow,about 10 miles from here,
to build huts, etc. Got 'four waggon loads of coke
today for 120 francs. It only lasts a week in the
laundry. 1b takes 7 braziers going night and day in
the drying room to dry the clothes,
Tuesday, Jan. 18th.
'This a.m. I rode over to the village Ensor is
improving, about miles away. Found him rather
forlorn. The rest of his Company went to him today,
and I luckily struck the C.R E. there and squared
things for him, so I hope now he will be all right.
Griffiths came here in my absence and wandered
round laundry. recreation rooms, etc. I believe he
was quite pleased with everything. A Constant drizzle
SII day. Don't notice much lengthening of days
at either end. George Bruce -has been made GS.O. in
Richardson's place. I'm every glad, as I'm convinced
he's a staff brain, The Brigade were foolish to miss
him. I fried hard to get Griffth to forward application
to promote Fergie Captain, but he wouldn 't.
said he had already tried -one case and been refused
by the Div. Fear it's no good. They say it would be
very bard on Regular Qr. Masters, many of whom
have been out since beginning Of and have
good deal of commissioned service—I quite see the
point.
Wednesday, Jan. 19th.
Berry returned last night —a horrible journey.
C' Viper" no cabins, a walk of two miles from steamer
to train in dark and wet, 17 hour journey in 02nd
class, with only one chance of a meal. 'Mess cart met
him at rail head, 7 miles, and got him here at 8-30
wearied and tired ; 'he is bright as ever to-day.
Thursday, Jan. 20th
Spender full of rumour about the Britigh taking
over French bit between 2nd and 3rd Armies, which
up to now they (the French) have always opposed.
If 'we do,we shall go up into that bit of line, but When
I don't know. Failing that, or till that, we shall stay
here making huts and such like rot. Lovely day.
turned colder to-night, and blowing hard. Brig has
sort of Field Day to-morrow for Officers, no men—
a trench attack—ought 'to be instructive. Staff grouse
at their poor quarters. I told them it's time they
did a little roughing it. Got in coal yesterday.
and, bought another 1200 lbs at 84 francs ton.
Nugent came round this morning when I was
Cather took him to the bombing, but he was in
hurry. Griffith came yesterday. Am sending
Scott out to 'GA" Company, as Medical Adviser. Ho
is still waiting orders. The Havre journey home
out is a nightmare.
Friday, Jan. 21st.
We had long morning at G's scheme—-slow but
instructive. Didn't get back till 2-45, cold wind, but
no grain luckily. Lots of hanging about which was
boresome. G is off on leave on Sunday, I hear.
Primate holds a Service here at 11 am., Sunday, for
us, 18th ;and 12th. We had to send 15 miles for
wood to-day. Stronge borrowed a country
put in 6 horses, and brought in 4 tons of wood. We
also unexpectedly got about & ton Of coal It takes 4
waggons of coke to last a week. So we are going to
try country waggons next week. Pratt tried suppers
here but the men won't look at 'them,funnily enough.
Coffee shop taking 170 francs a day. It's very
SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.
to get things out of the Ordnance, and they say there
is a serious shortage of such things as knives. forks,
spoons, badges, clasp knives, and other metal goods,
and strict economy must be exercised ; the things
cannot be got. Leather also, and repairs of boots, I
cannot extract out of them,and we are getting behind
with the repairs of boots. Can't get any men on
parade. "A" Company away, large numbers of other
Companies employed on hutting schemes, for which
we can't get any materials—wood. nails, canvas, or
tools. Tried to get some hammers and saws in A—
yesterday. You never saw such stuff—toy saws, feeble
hatchets, and ponderous hammers. The Band has
bad a great furnishing up under the Padre. New
instruments,music, and drums painted,and new cords,
at an outlay of £25—about. They have improved
enormously on their playing.
Saturday, Jan. 22nd.
A busy day, tho' the Primate never came. Ho
mg got hung up at Folkestone, owing to submarines.
Fergie says a pal Quarter Master of his, at Dover,
told him we had got two Hun Subs (taken one and
sunk one), and that he saw the taken one at Dover,
one of their newest,whose machinery had gone wrong
and could neither move nor sink. Our New Corps'
Commander insists on training being carried out, so
we are to begin on Monday with Company training,
and then two weeks Brigade and Division Training
after that, about the middle of March, we are to go
into the line, relieving the VII Corps. Cavan, I
believe, is excellent, but it's quite impossible to build
huts and do regular Company training at the same
time. Our men have been at it for 18 months. We
Lave also to find Officers for the New Armies. At
present I have 10 Officers away on duties, leaving one
Captain and one Sub with each Company! I am to
dine at Div. H.Q. on Friday, to meet the Primate.
Sunday, Jan. 23rd.
The Primate, Sir J. Stronge, and Cavan turned
up for Parade Service. P walked round and talked
to each Officer ; did not preach a good sermon ; very
disappointing. I thought Padre far better: Sir J.
came on to lunch ; seemed astounded to see how well
all the men looked. Luckily beautifully fine up to
2 p.m., when a cold fog came on. I asked Cavan
after Edgar Lambert. He said he'd tried France but
was too old, had gone to Egypt, I think. Heard
from Going, He came out in July, and in August
to Ypres where he had been till a few weeks ago,
when they were sent out of the line to near G.H.Q.
to rest. Casualties—10 Officers, 275 men, Primate
and J.B. stay till next Saturday, when J returns
home, and P passes on to Pulteney, 16th Division
and 107th Brigade for a week, I believe.
Monday, Jan. 24th.
Your letter of Friday came to-day, quite quick !
Had a tiring day—Umpire at stupid Field Day. Left
here 8-45 a.m. Got back very wet at 2-30 and had
to go to the Pow wow at 3-30,which lasted till 5 p.m.
What was the reason for the Field Day I cannot
imagine, as we all had to begin Company Training
today. Blackwood is excellent. "Carry on" life like.
Think we shall stay here for a bit. I'm afraid its
doubtful if we get the Guards. Cavan said yesterday
he feared he'd lost them. On the other hand Smyth
says he came over with some G.H.Q. fellow who said
they were coming to the XIV Corps. Primate comes.
to see us in the morning. Another Officer, a Captain
in A S C, posted last night from G H Q. They all
join about end of month.
Tuesday, Jan. 25th
There doesn't appear to be coal available in the
country. No one has it; Primate came this a.m.
Fine and sunny Stayed 2 ½ hours, -walking round
and seeing men. Fergie presented him with a gas
helmet as a souvenir. About 12-45 scheme for
tomorrow's Field Day came in—in which I am opposed
to Bull, he having a convoy, and I to attack it. I
had at once to ride out and see the ground, and have
my orders in Brigade Office by 4 p.m. Rather a rush.
Berry's name has been sent in for D.A.D.M.S, so if
sanctioned we shall lose him. Last night sanction
came for general leave. Pratt and Stronge and two
privates go to-morrow. then no one .to February 16,
when 20 all ranks go, and then none again till
March 11. It will take some time to get through the
Battalion at, the rate of 40 a month. These Field
Days every other day, amid other distractions, are an
awful nuisance. They don't teach us anything
will be useful to us in the warfare we shall be doing,
Seal pattern old Aldershot Field Days they are. What
we want to learn is the attack of trenches, and all the
details to be attended to, Repington's article the
other day I thought was excellent. He said he firmly
believed the war would be decided on the West Front
and that it would be Trench Warfare to the end, and
the massing of Cavalry to dash through the gaps was
rot.
Wednesday, Jan. 26th
I managed to capture Bull's convoy by rather a
fluke. Didn't attempt to strafe me, though he was in
an evil mood, and refused to let the men go home, but
kept the mout for an hour while he laid down the law to
Officers on tactics. Still any amount of comforts, as
we managed to bring everything here. Sand bags we
shan't want till we go up into the line. "At”
handled the Battalion capitally. I was in command
of the side. I believe these blessed days are coming
off thrice weekly !
(To be Continued.)
Presentation,
Another Presentation took place on Thursday,Nov.
25th, at Levaghery school, when Mr John Alexander
McDowell, a member of the Sunday School, was
presented with a Leather Travelling Bag on the occasion
of his leaving for South Manchester, U.S.A. The
Rev. H. G. Singleton presided, and made the Presentation.
Mr McDowell suitably replied, and Miss
Agnes Guy, superintendent of the Sunday school,
expressed the regret of the Teachers and Children at
Mr McDowell's departure.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.