December 1921

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

DECEMBER, 1921.

Christmas„ 1921.

WE WISH ALL OUR READERS A

VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND

A BRIGHT AND PROSPEROUS

NEW YEAR.

The Magazine,

The price of this copy of the Magazine is 2d. With

our next issue we enter on our Seventeenth year, a very

respectable age, for a Parish Magazine. We have outlived

many of our contemporaries. The past year was

the most difficult of all years for a Magazine owing to the

high cost of paper and printing. expense of publishing

has now been somewhat reduced. We have arranged to

publish Seagoe Parish Magazine on the first

Saturday of each month during 1922 at the price of Three

Pence for each number. A new feature of great interest

will be introduced. Each month we will print a block

or photograph illustrating the past or present history of

the Parish. This will, we believe, add greatly to the

interest of the Magazine and to its value as a historic

record.

We thank very sincerely all our readers who so faithfully

clung to the Magazine through the past year, even

though it cost fourpence a number. The sales were quite

as large as ever—a good proof of the hold which the

Magazine possesses over the Parishioners.

We owe especially a debt of gratitude to those who so

kindly distribute the Magazine month by month. Without

their help, so willingly rendered; the circulation of

the Magazine would be greatly reduced, and its usefulness

diminished.

This number will be read by Seagoe people in the

United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa; New

Zealand, Egypt and India, not to mention places nearer

home as England and Scotland. As they read it they

will think of the old Parish and of the Church where

they and their fathers worshipped in bygone days. May

the thought of the old place across the seas hallow and

sweeten their lives and draw them nearer each day to

the Throne of Grace.

Advent, 1921.

We have already entered the season of Advent which

begins the round of the Christian year. Its message is

Watchfulness' '—' 'Lest coming suddenly He find you

sleeping. " We watch for the second coming of the Master

Worship will help us to be watchful. We will meet together

in the House of Prayer and kneel together around

His Holy Table and experience there the blessedness of

those who wait for their Lord. Advent and Lent are the

two great Mission Seasons of the Church. Let us mark

this Season by an earnest and prayerful effort to be

more faithful in our Service of Christ.

Special Advent Services.

Four great subjects will be considered on each of the

four Sundays in Advent. Advent Sunday, November

27th—"Foreign Missions ;" Sunday, December 4th—"Bible

Study ;" Sunday, December ;" Sunday, December 18 ^th

—"Sunday Observance ;" and special

subjects will also be considered on Wednesdays.

Christmas Day Services.

Christmas Day this year falls on Sunday, and the following

Services will be held in Seagoe Parish Church :

8 a.m.—Holy Communion.

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

7 p.m.—Evening Prayer and Sermon.

The offerings at 8 a m. and 11.30 a.m. will be for the

Christmas Clothing Fund for the Poor of the Parish.

The Sustentation Fund.

The Collectors are making the Annual Collection for the Sustentation Fund.

Much depends on this year's Collection, and we hope the

Parishioners will give increased subscriptions.

The Envelope System of Weekly Contributions has

worked well during the past year, and the Select Vestry

have decided to still further extend it during the coming

year. The upkeep of the Parish Church and its Services

have hitherto fallen on those Parishioners who worship in

it, but this does not seem quite fair, and in future it is

felt that the Parish as whole should share the burden.

Band of Hope.

A most successful Band of Hope Meeting was held in

Edenderry Parochial Hall on Thursday, November 10th.

The Hall was crowded, and every item was loudly

applauded. Some nice choruses were sung and amusing

dialogues, each enshrining an important, Temperance

truth, were performed. The Rev. A. O. Draper gave a

stirring address to the children on the Evils of Intemperance.

Church Parade.

A well attended Church Parade took place in Seagoe

Church on Sunday evening, November 13th The Parish

Scouts and Girl Guides were present under their officers.

The Rev. F. J. Halahanx M.C., Rector of Drumcree,

preached from the text "Look unto the Rock whence ye

are hewn," and spoke on the value of Christian Training

in youth. The offerings were on behalf of the Scouts and

Girl Guides

Old Seagoe Graveyard.

We are glad to see that an effort is being made by a

Committee in Portadown to improve the condition of old

Seagoe Graveyard. We hope they will persevere in their

efforts until Seagoe Graveyard is brought into such order

and neatness as becomes the resting place of our Dead.

Money will be needed, but we are quite sure that most

of those who have burial rights in the Graveyard will be

prepared to subscribe. A new caretaker's house and a

waiting room or shelter are urgently needed. More

stringent regulations are also required as to the admission

of young children to the Graveyard unless accompanied

by adults.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Armistice Day in Seagoe.

On November 11th a special Service was held in Seagoe

Church at 10.30 a.m. At 10.55 those who were present,

with the Clergy, proceeded to the Memorial Gates, where

the children attending Seagoe Day School were drawn up

with their Teachers. Prayer was said, and at 11 the two

minutes "Silence" was after which all joined

in the singing of the National Anthem. The Union

Jack was held by Ernest Allen, whose father, W. J

Allen, fell on the 1st July, 1916.

Chota Nagpur Mission.

On Thursday, November 3rd: Miss Henry (who has

recently returned after five years' work in Chota Nagpur,

(India) gave a very interesting address to a large

gathering of Seagoe people in Seagoe School. The habits and

customs of the Indian people were described, and a number

of curios which Miss Henry had brought from Chota

Nagpur were explained by the Lecturer. The children

present sang a nice Missionary hymn and showed much

interest in the proceedings. Cards were taken by many

in support of the ' 'Seagoe Cot" in the hospital in India

Seagoe Man's Adventure.

Dr. Victor Walker writes under date 1st July, 1921,

on board the S.S. have been to Port

Chalmers, Lyttleton, Christchurch, and Auckland. I took

a trip to a place called Rotorua. There are hot springs

with boiling water spurting out. You catch a fish in a

stream and pop it into a hot spring two feet. away and

then make your dinner off it. I bathed in the warm

sulphur water as it issued from the earth. Three nights ago

I was in an Earthquake.

It, woke us all up at 1.30 in the morning. 'It lasted three

minutes and shook the house, but did no damage.

We had a nice run from the Panama Canal. We had

time to go ashore at, Panama. It was very hot. While

crossing the Pacific Ocean we had Fancy dress da ices

and Bridge parties every night. I dressed up in a

Lampshade and Window Curtain and was the Belle of the

Ball. Our voyage lasted seven weeks and! I was very

glad to get, on shore again."

Seagoe School Concert.

On Thursday, November 17th, Edenderry Hall was

packed, even the gallery was filled. A splendid Programme

had been arranged, all the items being performed

by the pupils of Seagoe National School. There were

23 items on the Programme and every one of them was

well done. Where so much was excellent it is impossible

to single out any for special mention, but the merriment,

high water mark when in "The Barber's Shop"

the servant girl (Jack Hill) fainted at the sight of blood.

Mr. McCourt's 'Awkwaid Squad" was also most amusing

and useful too as illustrating the value of a Scout's training.

Both girls and boys took part, in the Entertainment.

We congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Rennix and Mr. Dickson

on the success of the Concert and the evidence of careful

training shown by the children. Miss Greene, of

Dungannon, proved a most efficient accompanist at. the Piano.

The proceeds, which to the net sum of £13 10s

6d, go towards the Seagoe School Equipment, and Expenses Fund.

Parish Register for Nov., 1921.

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish Church

on November 5th, 1921

Cull—Louisa, daughter of William and Emma Cull, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Louisa Beattie, Emma Webb.

Thornton—Edna, daughter of William John and Louisa Thornton, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Elizabeth Green, Eveline Fox

Neill—David Bell, son of James and Sarah Neill, of Killicomaine.

Sponsors—Mary Rachel Neill, Sarah Neill.

Russell—November 16th, 1921, Margaret, daughter of Joseph Thomas and Hannah Bella Russell,

of Tarson.

Sponsors—Joseph thomas Russell, Priscilla Caddell, Hannah Bella Caddell.

Burials,

Weir—November 6th, Isabel Weir, of Portadown, aged 1 ½ years.

Gilpin—November 16th, Robert Gilpin, of Belfast, aged 79 years.

Burns—November 21st, Mary Burns, of Edenderry, aged 68 years.

Obituary.

Mr. Robert Gilpin, whose Burial in Seagoe we record

this month, was always very much attached to the old

Parish. He was born on the 29th January, 1842, and was

the youngest of nine, four boys and five girls. They

originally came from the Blue Stone, and belonged

the Parish of Seagoe. His death severs a long link with

the past, being the last of his family, extending from

1816 to 1921. deceased spent about 36 years in

Leeds, and on retiring some ten years ago came to Belfast,

where he resided at 5 Donegall Square South. His

death took place on 13th November, 1921. Some years

ago he came to Seagoe and made sure that a burial place

would be reserved for him in the old graveyard. His

nephews, who were present at his funeral, carefully

followed his wishes. Mr. Gilpin was a constant reader of

Seagoe Magazine, and especially enjoyed the Old Seagoe

Notes.

Parish Report for 1920 (Continued).

HACKNAHAY SUNDAY SCHOOL ACCOUNT.

Monthly Collection up to December, 1920, £5 16s 9d ;

Rent of Garden, 15s; Rent of House, £2 12s Od ; Balance

in hands from 1919, £3 4s 11d; Received for Prizes,

4s Od.—£14 12s 8d.

Paid for Books, £6 13s bd ; Oil. 2s 5d; Caretaker, 15s ;

Coal, £2 5s Od; Rates, 11S Od ; Repairs, 15s Od ; Balance

in hands, £3 10d.—£14 12s 8d.

District Harvest Services.

The following sums were collected at the District Hare

vest, Services recently hen—Hacknahay, £3 Is 2d and

£1 13s 4d; Drumgor, £1 9s 2d and 19s Carne, £1

10s 5d and 16s ; Levaghery, £1 6s 4d and 4s O 1/2;

Edendery £3 0d and 10s 11d.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

The Misses Dawson .

Miss Mary and Mies Cherry Dawson have returned from

South America and have recently been staying with Miss

Forde, near Lurgan. We hope soon to see them at some

of our Services and gatherings in Seagoe. They have

had a long experience of work in the Foreign Mission

Field amongst the Indians of the Chaco. Their many

friends in Seagoe will be glad to see them once again.

They had a very eventful voyage out when retaining to

Chile in 1918 They came in for the Revolution in Lisbon

and were chased by submarines in the South Atlantic.

Almanacs .

Seagoe Kalendar, Price 3d, is now on Sale at Mr.

Kyle’s, 16 Bridge Street, and may also be had from the

Sunday School Superintendents. It is printed on Art

Paper and contains a beautiful Coloured Picture “The

Boyhood of Christ.” Only 150 copies of it have been

printed so an early purchase is essential.

Seagoe Parish Almanac, price 3d, will also be on sale

in a few days. It contains a text of Scripture for every

day of the year, and many bright coloured pictures.

Mission Week.

The House-to-House Collection for Foreign Missions was;

in aide in the Parish during the week November 6th—13th.

We thank all the Collectors who did their work so efficiently.

If they have not yet handed in their Envelopes:

will they please do so without delay so that the returns

may be printed in our January number.

in France

The following from Seagoe Parish were present at

Thiepval on Saturday, November 18th, for the Dedication

of the Memorial to the Ulster Division—Mrs. Gerrard,

Miss Isabel Atkinson, Mr. Joyce, and Mr. James Shepherd

of Levaghery. Miss Atkinson writes from Amiens

underdate November 18th—“ The weather was perfect

clear and cold, but sunshine , and everything went off

well except for the absence of the two leaders. There

was a large gathering of French as well as British to

take part in the ceremony, and a great many Famous

people, civil as well as military. General Weygand is.

such a small neat little man. The lunch was a wonderful

affair, and such a distinguished crowd! We start at 9

a.m. on Monday in a motor to visit the Cemeteries at

Hamel.”

WITH THE NINTH" IN FRANCE.

By Lieut.-COL. S. W. BLACKER, D.S.O.

(Continued from October-November Magazine.)

Monday, March 6th.—Wounded were all only slight,

I'm thankful to say, so far. 2 last time in. They seem

to have got on all right, but had rather a bad time. Send

all socks and keep making more. I'm quite warm and

have never felt cold in day time. Reason why they

relieve every 48 hours at Ypres is the trenches are so awful.

Berry returned to-day all right again. Tuesday—Such a

sharp frost, the sharpest we have had, yet. Hard to keep

warm in bed. Yes, Byng got the X V 11. Corps. We are

now in X. Corps, commanded by Morland. Had a long

trek round the Trenches with Fergie this p.m. In places

they are bad and will be worse when the thaw comes.

A man in 'C.' was badly wounded near us by Whizz

Bang, 4 shrapnel wounds in his 'head. Fear he will not

recover. Stewart is his name. I had a long talk with

our new Battery Commander, Selag-Montefiore (our own

gunners have taken over the line) a most capable fellow.

Came out as a Sub in F. He says t,he men are coming

on fast and have done a lot of shooting. We still have

our old Heavies, only new Field Gunners. We relieve the

2 Coys in the line by the other 2 tonight. I relieve Pratt

Thursday. We come out Sunday now. but another Coy

goes in Thursday, as we take over more of the line. This

bit of the line is more convenient both as to relief and the

shorter distance to carry supplies. Better dug outs, a

good deal, and with fine weather will soon. be all right. I

believe we go out, to rest at Hedauville about 2 miles

back from this. Wheatley is Lt. -Col. of the R.A. Bde.

I knew him in India, and Oky—a fine fellow. He was

commanding 7th Baty in 29th Div. at Gallipoli, so has

seen a bit

Keep Sending Socks and Candles,

Socks urgent. Nice gum boots, wear them out very

soon. Have got the Paper about forwarding comforts.

it's hard to make head or tail of it, but as socks and

candles have not materialised yet I have written him

saying we want them urgently. A letter from Duchess of

Abercorn about prisoners' Comforts. Must now wrestle

with Battalion accounts. Sharp frost again. They threaten

to take Pratt for Divisional School. Wednesday

March 8th.—Lovely warm day, but still frosty.

great inspection of Transport ; horses and men looking

very well. Corps Commander Morland came today and

sent for Co.O.'s to make their acquaintance. Very pleasant,

recalled Aldershot days, when he was attached to

Battery. Very sound soldier—knows Nugent, as he was

in We had a poor Barossa celebration,

being on the move and upset. General (Div.) ordered a

heavy strafe by our artillery on Hun Transport, at 6.60

p.m. No use, as they retaliate on ours and make things

unpleasant for the fighting troops, and increases

discomforts in front line. Atkinson has to take over a very bad

bit to-morrow night. No dug outs for Officers. Very

limited for men. Trenches knee deep in slush ; its rather

hard. The men have done splendid work on the Trenches.

Thank goodness this is only for 3 days. Pratt's

name has not, gone in for Div. School, so I hope i shall

not him, though I know It's only a matter of time

Menaul has gone map making in the neighbourhood, and

doing Intelligence Officer for the Battalion, and training

Scouts. Still lives with us, but is struck off Trench

duty. The amount of paper that is launched at, one

every day is remarkable, and most of it contradictory of

some former Order, you don't know where you stand.

Though the frost, and snow is hateful the fine sunny days

are delightful. Thursday, March frost

hard and black, and cold. Here I am in the line again

and quite comfy.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Quite a Decent Dug-Out.

Long and narrow with a partition off for my part; containing

bed and small table, and much easier, of course,

than usual. I came in with Berry about 3.30 to

within a mile and only had about 1,000 yards of

communication Trench. Hooper and kit were here before me

Had tea and wandered off round the line. The bit We

have been in since Sat. is wonderfully clean ; they must

have all worked hard. Where it was over knee deep in

water and slush, quite clean—that is main artery and fire

trench- Of course, side trenches and accessories still bad.

But the new bit 'B' COYE has taken over to-day is

awful—18ins. deep everywhere, except where it is 3 feet

deep! Few and bad dug outs, but, they are quite cheery.

Friday, March 10th.—Very quiet so far. Another snow

fall in the night, and frost. Had quite a good night.

Very quiet. Dearth of water this morning. Just off to

wander round. A quiet day and Trenches improving by

hard work. Poor 'B' Coy. had a wretched night. 2

Platoons in Fire Trench all night, and snowing and,

freezing. Thawing all day, and still doing it. Have now got

the old Trench dirt ground Into me Hands, face, and

clothes grimy and muddy. A new youth, Ozzard, joined

to-day. He seems a good sort. Only saw him for a few

minutes on his way to 'A' Coy. Ensor laid up with

erysipelas in London. All leave still stopped. Accommodation

here is very limited. Padre returns to-morrow, but

doubt if he can stay in the line this tour any way. We've

rigged up quite a good stove in this dug out in place of

the coke brazier, which is a great improvement. We

are just on the right of where we were in November.

Bavarians opposite us I think Saturday, March 11th.—

Still dull, slight frost and light snow. A very heavy

bombardment just S. of us near our last place, from 11.15

p.m. to 12.40 a.m., but apparently nothing developed of

serious nature anyway. We were all up and ready. A

thick fog and one could walk about on top or 'on the

lid' and get a better idea of the trenches. Such a maze

Of unused halt complete trenches as there are. Went

round the line after breakfast There met the R.E. Fd.

Major and Sub. (both capital fellows), and prospected

sights for new dug outs. Then Bull came and J went

round with him, then lunch and a rest ; then the Padre,

and then round 'on the lid,' and so home. I hear Ross

Smyth's Battalion lost 3 killed and about 12 wounded in

last night's strafe, which was wonderfully little considering

the amount of heavy stuff the Huns put in. XB' Coy

have worked so well in fearfully miserable conditions, and

Never a Murmur or Grumble.

Relief to-morrow, I hope by daylight. Even don't expect

to be back at till 8 or 9 p.m. Drizzle set in

this evening so hope the thaw has really come at last.

Rather fear the French will have to fall back, not really

serious, but will help to hearten the Huns. I see the

German Fleet is out, but I expect won't go far. It may

be they are going for a big thing all round. They don't

seem to suffer from lack of ammunition judging from last

night, which was just retaliation for Nugent's strafe of

their Transport. Sunday. March t 2th.—Such a glorious

spring morning, sunny and warm, but of course

everything muddy. A quiet night. We killed a large rat in

the dug out this morning. Monday, March 13th.—The

daylight relief was vetoed after all, and I didn't get in

here till 11 p.m., and the last Coy not till midnight. The

relief began at 7 p.m. and finished at 9.W p.m. Berry

Cather and I then walked to E— 122 miles, got on ponies

and rode on here, miles. Such a lovely day, perfect

spring day, and so poozy. The men had breakfast

at 9 a.m. and are basking in the sun and cleaning

themselves and resting. Quite comfy here. I really hope now

the fine weather has come to stay. It is really heavenly

today. The usual old billeting worries. No straw, billets

dirty, men crowded, loss of kit, alleged damage of all

sorts, lack of firing, fuel etc. But with fine weather and

everybody cheerful difficulties melt away. We have are

ranged for the Div. Folly Troop to give performance

for the men Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

I'm convinced it's Essential to Rest the Men.

body and mind while out of the line, to keep them fit

and well. Tuesday, March 14th.—Severe thunderstorm

last night from 7.30—8 and torrents of rain. A slight

frost and another lovely day. The concert by Div.

Follies of 8 men was quite good, and the men enjoyed it

it bored me to tears. John Redmond writes to me he has

sent a parcel of Shamrock for the men of the 17th ! So

peaceful in the sun; one hardly hears the guns

I hear leave is to open again next week. Just had a bath

and feel clean. I had, a talk to the N.C.O.'s today, the

first time I had been able to get them together for ages

—their duties and responsibilities as leaders—and a

general talk about the war, and how it is progressing

everywhere. Am having a short Battalion parade in the

morning, and we have to send 600 men for working party to

dig trenches, at 6 p.m. The shower last night was very

partial, and they did not get it in the line, I believe.

Poor Stewart has died/ at Rouen. He was badly mauled

about the face, eye, and( brain, with shrapnel. If this

weather lasts we shall soon have the trenches in grand

order. 2 bales of socks (have come and' Fergie is to let me

know how many. He and the Transport are 3 miles

away, which is rather a nuisance, but he's got such a

splendid store and place generally, and is so handy to the

Trench line, that it's not worth moving him. I couldn't

manage Barossa Day. Wednesday, March 15th.—A dull

day, but fine, not, so warm, roads drying up well. I see

Lloyds' are laying 5 to 1 against the war being over in

1916. I hear that troops that have been in Gallipoli are

coming here. The 29th Div. is coming to us, I believe,

They are forming a new VIII. Corps. Thursday, March.

16th.—Do hope you are having this nice weather. Today

another sunny warm one. We had 500 men Out

digging a new Trench last night, from 7 p.m. till 1 a.m.

It was a lovely night, and they left us alone. 29th Div.

does not come here. We are 32, 36, and 49. Sir George

Richardson has sent the Shamrock to all the Battalions.

The roads are drying up splendidly and the Trenches also,

I'm thankful to say. Padre back again and in grand,

form.

A Concert on St. Patrick's Day.

We all had a late breakfast after our night out; men as

well. They love a lie in bed, which they seldom get,

Never can see why they should be routed up at dawn

when there's nothing to be done and they are resting.

(To be continued)