December 1923

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

DECEMBER, 1923.

PARISH OF SEAGOE.

A SALE OF WORK

Will (D.v.) be held

In Edenderry Parochial Hall,

On Friday, December 7th, 1923,

Opening Ceremony by Mrs. W. H. ATKINSON,

of Clarisford, at 3.30,

The Sale will remain open until 10 p.m.

ADMISSION

SIXPENCE.

The proceeds of the Sale will be given to the

Fund for providing Iron Railings to enclose the

grounds of the Parochial Hall

[This Sale will be very attractive. There will be

a White Elephant Stall, a Pottery Stall, a Farm

Produce Stall, Bran Dip, etc., etc. It is a long time

since we had a Sale of Work in the Parish, and

we are sure many of the Parishioners will come

and help us in this good work. There will also be

a Refreshment Stall.]

A Happy Christmas

We wish all our Readers at Home

and Abroad a very Happy Christmas and

a prosperous New Year

Advent Services

During Advent Special Sermons will be preached

on subjects suggested by this solemn season. On

Advent. Sunday, December 2nd, the subject Morning

and Evening will be " Advent and Foreign Missions "

On December 9th at Evening Prayer the

special Preacher will be the Rev. R. C. H. Elliott,

M.A., Rector of All Saints' Church, Belfast. During

the War Mr. Elliott did good service with the men

at the Front as Chaplain to the Forces. On December

16th the special subject will be " The Day of

Judgment." On December 23rd " Preparation for

Christmas." At the Evening Service on December

23rd Christmas Carols will be sung.

CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES.

8 a.m.—Holy Communion.

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

The Offerings at the Christmas Day Services will

be given to the Poor Fund of the Parish

Ghosts.

The Rev. H. B. Swanzy's Lecture on Ghosts was

well attended, and proved very interesting. He

told some wonderful ghost stories, some of which

were derived from his own personal experience. The

Lecture was amusing as well as interesting. During

the evening a wireless set was on exhibition, and

the audience heard music from London and Glasgow

through the Loud Speaker. A wire had been stretched

from a neighbouring cable pole to the chimney

of the Hall and connected with the Instrument.

The Gecophone, as the instrument is called, was

very kindly lent by Mr. Hewitt of the Garage,

Portadown, who is agent for the Gecophone Wireless

Instrument. Mr. Hewitt will be glad to give intending

purchasers full information regarding the sets.

Before long no home will be complete without

wireless. The Rector will be much obliged to those

who have kindly sold Tickets for the Rev. Mr.

Swanzy's Lecture if they will hand in to him

without delay any sums they have received.

Purchase of Seagoe Glebe,

The Purchase of the Glebe was completed last

month when Mr. Hugh Stoops, the Hon. Treasurer

of the Select Vestry, drew a cheque for £950 5s 8d

in favour of the Representative Church Body in

Dublin. At a meeting of the Select Vestry held in

Seagoe School on Monday, November 13th, Mr.

Stoops produced the Receipt received from Captain

Maude, Secretary of the R.C.B., for the payment of

the amount. At the same meeting of the Vestry the

subject of a Memorial to the late Mr. Wolsey R.

Atkinson was considered, but as a letter had been

received from Mrs. Atkinson saying that she and

the members of the family did not wish a Memorial

to be erected, the members of the Vestry felt that

they could proceed no further with the matter.

The Weekly Envelopes.

We have entered the last month of the year, and

our Accounts close on December 31st, 1923. There

are still a large number of our contributors in

arrears. If you have not yet sent in your Envelopes

please do so at once so that they may come into

this year's Accounts. We hope that in 1924 all

those who have not yet joined the W.F.O. (Weekly

Freewill Offering) will do so. It is the only hope

for the Parish if it is to be financially strong. It

will save our worthy Collectors much time and

trouble if subscribers to the Sustentation Fund

will hand their subscriptions to the Collector for

the District, or place it in an Envelope on the

collecting plate in the Church.

A new and improved patent Envelope called "The

Sequi ' will be distributed to all subscribers this

month. Be sure you get your set in time, but if by

chance you are overlooked ask Mr. James Twinem

for a set.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Sunday School.

There has been a welcome revival in Drumgor

Sunday School. It is now well supplied with Teachers,

and the children are attending better. The

hour of opening has been changed from 3.30 to 3.

Two new teachers —Miss Cox and Miss Latimer—

have joined the staff, and are doing excellent work.

Miss Agnes Guy, who did such good work as

Superintendent of Levaghery School, seems likely to bring

about the same result in Drumgor. We ask the

parents of the children to help Mr. Hopps, the Superintendent,

by sending the children in good time and

by seeing that they prepare the lessons carefully

beforehand.

Seagoe in Patagonia,

The Misses Dawson have arrived in far off Patagonia,

South America, and we print herewith a description

of their arrival in that distant land.

Leaving England early in July last by the Araby,

a new oil driven vessel, they had pleasant and

comfortable voyage, though they were the, only

passengers and were therefore rather lonely. Except

for a couple of days on which the vessel was tossed

by long rollers, the passage was calm, and by good

fortune they just escaped a tornado at Monte Video

They arrived at Buenos Aires early in August, beating

the record passage by l ½ days, and remained

in that city for a fortnight. Whilst there they met

a friend, a former co-worker in the missionary

field, who brought their little dog Peter to meet

them, to their great joy. At the Y.W,C.A. Home

there they experienced their last taste of civilised

comforts.

They next proceeded in a little coasting steamer

to San Julian, the journey occupying five days, and

arrived there in brilliant sunshine, but in piercing

cold, going ashore in a barge, and finally reaching

the strand by a plank. On the shore a crowd of

people had gathered to welcome them, and a crowd

of dogs to meet Peter. San Julian is a very primitive,

straggling little town, mainly built of corrugated

iron. No trees or grass cap be seen but a

glimpse of the sea forms a link with home, whilst

inland the background is formed Of low hills. They

received a very kindly welcome from Mr. and Mrs.

Evans, and were luckily able to secure a good house

with grounds in which to star! a school. After a

week the school was opened with eleven pupils

and fourteen chairs. On the second day there were

fifteen pupils, so a box had to do duty for an extra

chair. New pupils are being taken in fast as

arrangements can be mage to receive them, and a

boarding house is being started by the mother or two

pupils for the convenience or children who live at

a distance.

On the first Sunday they opened a Sunday School,

and they are getting their harmonium sent out from

home for it. The Ladies' Committee of the S.A.M.S.

in Belfast is bearing the expense of sending it out

to them. but this will not be heavy, as the M'lvor

Line has very kindly offered to convey it free on

the Araby's next voyage.

The work they have undertaken will be pioneer

work in a new district, amongst English people

who have had no way of educating their children

previously. Many branches of Christian work are

being started, and the Misses Dawson will have a

busy life. They will find the climate cold after their

experience of Chili and the Argentine, and will miss

the trees and gardens, for San Julian has none of

these, but they are very happy, and deeply interested

in their new work A leg of mutton can be purchased

there for 1s 2d, but beef is not to be had.

Coal is very dear, and the only milk to be had is of

the tinned variety, so one does not live luxuriously

in the mission field, at any rate in Patagonia.

Old Seagoe Notes.

A Bit of Old Seagoe.—Many years ago in these

columns we recorded the fact that when the Railway

was being cut through Seagoe the workmen

unearthed some underground store house half way

between the Rectory and the Old Church.

underground chamber contained earthenware jars.

Since then we heard nothing further about these

mysterious jars until a few days ago when by

chance we received information that a former

Parishioner for many years past residing in

Cheshire, has one of them in his possession. We

hope shortly to secure a photograph of the relic-

It may be that they were cinerary urns such as

contain human remains and calcined bones. but

until we get a further description we can come to

no settled decision. It was certainly an interesting

find.

Seagoe Scouts.

The Rev. W. T. Wilson has been appointed

Scoutmaster in the Edenderry Troop. A most, enjoyable

evening was held in the Parochial Hall last

Monday, November 27th, when Mr Herbert M'Kegney

of Belfast, gave a talk to the Boy Scouts and others

on Temperance and the Boy Scout movement. It

was one of the happiest evenings ever held in the

Hall. Mr. M'Kegney is an ideal Lecturer to young

people, especially boys. The sing songs and

choruses, as well as his funny stories, will not soon

be forgotten, and his sound advice on Abstinence

from Strong Drink will be a great help in our battle

against Intemperance.

The Hall was crowded.

The proceeds go towards the Seagoe Scouts.

Seagoe Parish Almanac.

Parish Almanac for 1924 will be on Sale

through the Parish from Saturday, 1st December. It

may be had at Mr. Vance's Bridge Street, and from

the Superintendents of the Sunday Schools in the

various Districts of the Parish. The price of the

Almanac is 2d. Each copy is signed by the Rector.

Seagoe parishioners who hove emigrated are very

glad to get a copy of the Parish Almanac, so send

one out to them. It is a continual reminder of the

old Parish at home. Those who get the Almanac

should read the verse each day.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Sunday School Calendars.

The new Calendars were issued to the Teachers

and Children last Sunday, November 25th. The price

of the Calendar is it is larger and better printed

than previous Calendars. There are Calendars for

the Junior Grade (age 8 to 11) and for the Senior

Grade (age 11 to 34 and over). A special course is

also prescribed for Infants (under 8 years of age),

and will be found specified on the front or the

Calendars. Books of notes for Teachers to accompany

the Calendars are ready, price—junior Grade

"The Children of the Church," 2s ; Senior Grade

'The Sunday Gospels," 2s. These Books will be in

the hands of the Sunday School Superintendents

on Sunday, December 2nd, and copies can also be

had now at Mr. Vance's, Bridge Street. Notes on

the Afternoon Sunday Lessons are published in

" The Irish Churchman" each week. From January

1st they will be written by the Rev. P R. Cosgrave,

M.A., Director of Religious Education for this Diocese.

"The Irish Churchman" can be purchased at

Waugh's Bookshop, Portadown, for ld weekly, or

4s 4d per annum. Every teacher should have Notes,

otherwise they cannot teach the Calendar properly,

If for any reason any Teacher is unable to get a

copy of the Book of Notes they should communicate

direct with the Rector.

During the coming year we hope to improve

considerably the efficiency of the Sunday Schools.

This can only be done if each Superintendent and

each Teacher will prepare carefully for the Lesson

and be in their place each Sunday in good time.

The Morning Sunday Schools begin sharp at 10

a.m., and the Afternoon Schools at 3 p.m. sharp.

Superintendents should be at their post 10 minutes

before the School opens, and Teachers not later

than 5 minutes before the opening.

ITEMS,

Lieut Col. Blacker and family are spending the

Winter at Kertherne, near Dinard, France.

A Social was held in Seagoe School last month

to bid farewell to Miss Henrietta Porter, who has

by this time. sailed for Canada. Her Bible Class and

Sunday School companions presented her with a

Bible and a Brooch.

Mrs. M'Donald addressed a meeting of the

Mothers' Union in the Parochial Hall on Tuesday,

November 6th.

Those who have not yet returned the sales of

Tickets for the Lecture on "Ghosts" should do so

without delay.

The January issue of the Magazine will appear

as usual in a new Cover. This time the colour will

be a pretty shade known in the paper trade as "Old

Gold”

We are glad to notice that the police are taking

steps to control the heavy motor traffic in Portadown

and to repress the reckless driving which has

recently become a danger to the community. We

would suggest to the Parishioners that it they

notice any case of reckless driving they should note

the number of the motor and report the case at

once at the Barracks in Edward St., Portadown.

Some serious accidents have recently occurred, and

worse will follow if the present reckless driving

goes unchecked.

The Annual Report is in prints and will be circulated immediately.

Give up your Annual Subscription and take the

new "Sequi" Weekly Envelope and help on your

Parish Church. Your collector or Mr. James

Twinem will give you a set of 52 for the coming

year if you ask him.

In the new Report, which will in a few days be

in your hands, everyone will notice the difference in

the amount contributed by those who have joined

the W.F.O. and those who have not.

Parish Register for November.

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized in the Parish Church on November 3rd, 1923

Magee—Olive, daughter of Joseph William and Emma Elizabeth Magee, of Kernan.

Sponsors Elizabeth Patton, Emma Elizabeth Magee.

Collins—Margaretta, daughter o: Joseph and Mary Collins, of, Edenderry.

Sponsors—Margaretta Pentland, Mary Collins.

Neill—Emmons Robert, son of James and Sarah Neill, of Killicomaine.

Sponsors—Margaret Bell, Sarah Neill

Marriages,

Milligan and Elliott—November 17th 1923. Robert George Milligan, of Edenderry, to Ellen

Elliott, of Ballyhannon

Gracey and M'Cormick—November 22nd, 1923 Thomas Gracey, of; Portadown, to Mary

M'Cormick, of Ballyhannon.

Burials.

Lavery—November 17th, Rachel Lavery, of Kilvergan, aged 75 years.

Campbell—November 18th, Richard Campbell Balteagh, aged 85 years

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

WITH THE "NINTH" IN FRANCE.

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

(Continued from November Magazine.)

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20th.

Fine night, but red sky this morning, and watery look. More rain coming. River down to nearly normal level.

4.30 p.m. No rain today after all, and though everything is messy we have got the trenches square. I find Ovilux no good for this sort of warfare, heavy and a bother. The little Vickery’s one is splendid. Yes, it’s splendid getting Beaucourt. They may find some traces of our men. We don’t get real gales out here, but wind is not bothersome. Pratt’s come in for lunch and gave me much useful information. It was a really good show, 170 in the raid, and only one killed and 13 wounded, and remained in the Bosche lines for an hour. Saxons have replaced Wurtemburghers—from the Somme, and rather weak.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21st.

A white frost last night, fog this a.m., and sun coming through, giving promise of a glorious day.

4.30 p.m. Fog never lifted. It was a splendid day for wandering about in front examining wire, etc. Not a man had any sign of drink after B_____ . I was only out for three hours this a.m., and was never in a trench at all so thick was the fog.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd.

All safely in by 7.30 p.m., dark and foggy. Only two casualties during the tour. Cold night and rain after midnight. Today fog cleared, and sunny. Saw Holt. They’ve got a draft of 100 Cockneys. Turned out sunny. We’ve started making charcoal now, with seeming good success. Still foggy. We play Pratt’s push at football this p.m. These tin shanties are cold.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23rd.

A foggy day with gleams of sunshine. Cold night. Everything so damp. The 11th Innisk’s beat us 2—1, to Pratt’s great delight. A good game. Many of the officers came over. A very nice lot they looked. R. lost five officers, two k., and three wounded by a T.M. which landed on Coy H.Q. the day before yesterday. Capital sending the £21 for the plum puddings. Yes, I think dry sunny frost days would be preferable but the nights would be trying. Wet is damnable. Yes, Foster’s people should get his M. Medal. Mudie and Saunderson were over here today. Place had shingles’ and is run down. Wilson also visited us helpful and capital. The mud here is bad; luckily no rain.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24th.

Such a cold, bitter sunless day, with piercing wind, but dry. Padre and I both loved Burrough’s book. Both wounded men back with Battalion. A draft of 137 on their way from the Base, mostly English, I expect. Couldn’t stand the damp of my chateau, so rigged up a stove yesterday, which has dried things. Dearth of oil here now.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25th.

Such a day, torrents of rain. Draft of 137 expected tonight. Am sending three officers and some N.C.O.’s to look after them in the back areas, as they are not to come into the line this time. Great officers’ rugby match with 12th yesterday. Result, they beat us by one goal after a good game. Guns were noisy last night up to midnight—much warmer. Had another fire going in my hut and was very cosy from 5.00—7.00 p.m. Great loss the ‘Britannic’. We used to see her in Belfast. Fear the Roumanians are in a bad way.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26th.

Draft arrived last night and am going to see them this p.m. Tom Stewart is back, I hear. 34 from 10th Battalion, and remainder English. Padre deserted us today for the back areas. His subaltern, quite a nice fellow, took our service. Stephen Gwynn and Willie Redmond , both over 50, are Coy. Commanders in 16th Div. Really rather fine. They say W.R. is a most excellent personality. Fine day, but river in flood, I hear. Sergt. Lucas, who got M.M., shot the pigeon.

9.45 p.m. I have to be off early in the morn, as Gen. N. is inspecting the new draft. I saw them this afternoon. Three of our old men, 34 from the 10th Battalion, and 100 from London Territorials, with an average of four months’ service. Not a bad lot I think; one Russian amongst them. Padre delighted in ‘Student at Arms’.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28th.

Such a foggy morning after a frost. We got in safely last night quite early. No. 7 Ravine was not our ravine. It was opposite us when we were in the other bit. I think the redoubt mentioned was one we didn’t know of. They apparently took Beaucourt Redoubt fairly easily. Holt has built an open fire place here, in which we can burn wood, and get up great warmth. It smokes a little, but is a great boon. Yes, the Naval Division attacked over the very ground we and the 12th were allotted.

9.45 p.m. The fog never lifted all day, and we did some good work, wiring, etc. Trenches very messy and crumbly. I was up to my knees in muddy slime in some parts, gum boots the only foot wear possible. The Padre and a plumber we have lately discovered in the ranks have remedied the flue of the open fireplace here, and it is splendid tonight. No smoke, and a great heat. Bosche put over a few oil cans about 7.30 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29th

Another foggy morning. Quiet night. Strength now about 785, exclusive of officers. A man was sent some nine months ago to learn how to make charcoal, and as wood is plentiful here we have started it. I don’t know the process except that a deep pit is dug and wood put in and lighted, and hole covered with corrugated iron.

(To be continued.)