Feburary 1912

Seagoe Parish News

FEBRUARY 1912,

Photo by Abernethy, Belfast.

Rev. W, R. Crichton, M.A.

OUR readers will be glad to possess a speaking likeness of the Rev. W. R. Crichton, M.A.,

late Curate of Seagoe, and now Curate of Hillsborough. Mr. Crichton was for four years

Curate of Seagoe. He was ordained for the curacy, and began his ministry there on

October 13th, 1907. He officiated for the last time as Curate of Seagoe on December 17th, 1911.

His many friends in Seagoe wish him all prosperity and blessing in his future career. We have

to thank Mr. Abernethy, of Belfast, for kind permission to publish this fine photograph in Seagoe

Parish Magazine.

The Season of Lent.

The Church sets apart two portions of the year

as special Mission Seasons—Advent and Lent.

In Advent we are bidden to think of the Second Coming

of the Master and to make special preparation for it

In Lent we are reminded of the evil of Sin and the

need of Repentance, and the subject of our Lord's

conflict with Satan in the Wilderness of the

Temptation is brought prominently before us. Lent

then is to be a time of self-examination. Its days

are to be marked by much prayer and heart-searching

meditation We must avail ourselves of the many

means of Grace which God offers us. The daily

study of His Word will be very helpful to those who

earnestly seek to know His Will. Private prayer,

a constant approach to His footstool, will deepen our

sense of His Presence with us. Worship in the

House of Prayer with all His people will impart to

us the power that comes from mutual intercession

and fellowship in spiritual things. Attendance at

Holy Communion, the faithful fulfilment of our

Lord's command, "This do in remembrance of Me,"

will prove a most precious help in the strengthening

and refreshing of our souls, if we come to that Feast

trusting not in our own righteousness but in His

manifold and great mercies. Such are some of the

chief means of grace which God has given to us.

If any have been hitherto neglecting them or using

them carelessly, they are invited now to think more

seriously and earnestly about them.

During Lent, which begins on February 21st

(Ash Wednesday), special addresses will be given

in the Parish Church on Sunday evenings by the

Parish Clergy, and on Wednesday evenings at 8

o'clock by the following clergy:

Feb. 21st -The Rector.

,, 28^th - Rev. Alexander Miller, M.A., Rector of Clonduff.

March 6^th —Rev. A. J. Murray, B.A., Curate of

St. Nicholas Church, Belfast.

,, 13^th —Rev. F. J. Hackett, M.A., Rector of

Kildollagh.

,, 27^th —Rev. Bedell Stanford, M.A., Rector of

Holy Trinity, Belfast.

On Ash Wednesday, Feb, 21st, Divine Service will be held

in the Parish Church as follows: ——

11-30 a.m.—Morning Prayer, Litany, and Commination Service.

8 p.m.—Evening Prayer and Sermon.

Our Sunday Schools.

Messrs. J. H. Stevenson and S. R. Chambers,

Superintendents of Edenderry Sunday Schools,

kindly entertained the Teachers of these Schools to

tea on Monday, January 22nd. There was a full

attendance of the teaching staff, and after tea the

meeting resolved itself into a conference on how to

improve the efficiency of the Sunday Schools.

Almost every one present joined in the discussion,

and valuable suggestions were made. It was quite

evident that the Teachers were fully alive to their

responsibilities. The points which received chief

consideration were—The visiting of absent children,

the finances of the School, and the discipline of the

School. On each point decisions were arrived at,

which we believe still further promote the efficiency

of the School. It is hoped to hold similar meetings

in connection with the other Schools.

Edenderry Prize Distribution.

On Thursday evening, January 25th, the Annual

Distribution of Prizes for Edenderry Sunday Schools

took place in the Parochial Hall. There was a very

large attendance of the children. Proceedings commenced

with a hymn and prayer, after which the Rector spoke

on the work of the Sunday School. He then called

on the Rev. G. Bloomer to say few words. Mr. Bloomer

received a very enthusiastic welcome from the children

on this his first visit to Edenderry. The prizes were then

distributed to the winners by Mrs. Stothers amid great

applause. Bibles and Church Services were in great demand

this year, but a great many also received story books.

Special prizes were awarded to five children who had

attended all the services in Church and the classes

in Sunday School without missing a Sunday during

the year. After the books had been handed to the

children, a series of lantern views of domestic

animals was shown, and created much interest and

amusement. Before the meeting came to a close

Mr. Bloomer kindly gave a recitation which

delighted all the young folk present.

Offertories for January.

"Give and it shall be given unto you."

Sunday morning £7.2.4

,, evening £3.2.0

Week days £0.19.3

Special Collections for Foreign Missions £4.12.2

Parish Register.

Baptism.

"He hath remembered His Covenant for ever."

January 6^th —Eveline Maud, daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth Adair.

Marriage,

David

"Blessed are they that fear the Lord and walk in His ways."

January 19^th —David Totten, Portadown, to Sarah Chambers, Killycomaine.

Burial.

“My days are like a shadow that declineth."

January 20th Sarah Connor, Killycomaine, aged 73.

Coming Events.

Feb 5^th —Meeting of Select Vestry. Feb. 5th

,, 8^th —Drumgor Prize Distribution.

,, 9^th —Carne

,, 12^th —Levaghery

,, 13^th —Men's Bible Class Social in Edenderry

Parochial Hall, at 7-30.

,, 20^th —Shrove Tuesday . Girls' Bible Class

Social at 7-30.

,, 21^st —Ash Wednesday . Services in Parish

Church at 11-30 and 8.

,, 23^rd Band of Hope, 7-30, Edenderry Hall.

,, 24^th —Special Lent Service. Preacher, Rev. A. Miller, M.A.

,, 29^th —Lecture in Edenderry Hall by Mr. Bagnells, of the Jews' Society.

March 9^th —Jumble Sale, Edenderry.

Lecture by Canon Lett.

The Rev. Canon Lett, Rector of Loughbrickland,

and Vice-President for Ulster of the Royal Society of

Antiquaries, has kindly consented to deliver a Public

Lecture in Edenderry Parochial Hall, on Thursday,

March 28th, on "The Natural History of Seagoe and

its neighbourhood." Canon Lett is a very distinguished

student of Natural Science, and in this Lecture will

give his hearers many most interesting particulars

concerning the Botany and Geology of the district.

We may add that Canon Lett was for many years

Rector of Ardmore, and during his residence in the

neighbourhood made a special study of its natural

features. Further particulars regarding the Lecture will

appear in our next issue.

Jumble Sale

A Jumble Sale will be held in Edenderry Parochial

Hall, on Saturday, March 9th. A circular will be

sent round giving particulars. Will all our kind

friends who helped at last year's very successful sale

remember the date—March 9th—and gather together

anything suitable for the Sale. Old clothing, boots,

hats, furniture, vases, umbrellas, in fact anything

and everything will be acceptable.

Items-

Seagoe Sunday School teachers should read carefully

the articles in the current number of the Sunday

School Magazine. They are very useful and

interesting.

The new Church Attendance Cards, with the pretty

red, blue and yellow seals, are creating much interest

in the Sunday Schools. An Edenderry boy was

-heard recently saying in a half whisper, "Go on the

Reds."

Seagoe children who win a gold seal for 13 reds

will certainly achieve a great success. It means that

they will have attended every Church Service and

every meeting of their Sunday School class during

the quarter.

We hear rumours of a Beehive Bazaar or Sale of

Work on behalf of Seagoe Day Schools.

Mr. Hobart, architect, inspected Seagoe Church

recently with a view to its ventilation on modern

scientific lines.

There has been a good deal of illness in the Parish

lately. The scarlatina epidemic is still prevailing

though of a mild type. We regret to announce the

serious illness of Mrs. Albin, one of our oldest and

most respected parishioners.

We congratulate Miss Gracey, daughter of our

People's Churchwarden, Mr. Robert Gracey, on her

recovery after a serious illness. Miss Gracey is a

most valued Parish helper, and has for long acted as

a teacher of the senior girls in Drumgor Sunday

School.

Protestant Orphan Cards should be returned at

once, also cards for C.M.S. and S.A.M.S.

The Rev. G. Bloomer has received a handsome and

valuable present of Theological Books from the

members of the (Belfast) Literary and

Debating Society of which he was a member. The

Rector was present by invitation at the Social on

Friday, January 26th, when the presentation was

made.

The floods in the Bann this winter have been

abnormal. A new lake—Lough Seagoe—has made

its appearance. It is about half a mile wide and

mile in length.

Several structural improvements have recently

been made in Seagoe Day School. The insertion of

a new roof window has let a flood of light in on the

junior schoolroom.

The Bishop of the Diocese purposes holding a

Confirmation in Lurgan Parish Church on March 16th,

at 3.30.

The January issue of the Magazine was insufficient

to meet the demand. All copies were sold

off in a day or two after publication. See that you

get your number each month in good time.

In our next issue we will publish photos of our

Churchwardens—Mr. Andrew Costello and Mr.

Robert Gracey.

A very appreciative notice of "Seagoe Publications

recently appeared in the "Portadown News." A great

deal of any success which they have achieved is due

we are bound to say, to the skill and courtesy of

Mr. Young and his staff in the “News" office.

Hymns for February,

" We praise Thee, O God."

Feb. 4^th M 318, 454, 192, 591

E 219, 273, 352, 445, 215

,, 11^th M 228, 514, 541, 467

E 205, 337, 376, 14, 226

,, 18^th M 225, 339, 322, 463

E 479, 381, 32, 11, 308

,, 25^th M 478, 218, 399, 30

E 17, 400, 33, 336, 319

An Interesting Letter.

Many of our readers will be interested in the following letter

from Mr. Ernest Holland, who has been touring in the far Nor' West of Canada :—

Box 295, Swift Current, Canada,

December 20th, 1911.

Dear Mr. Archer,

Your ever-welcome letter to hand, and glad to

know you are well and things are doing well in

Seagoe.

I am simply ashamed of myself for not writing you

Long before this. I had a long letter written for

you a few weeks ago, but somehow or other I lost it

when down skating one night.

I suppose you were surprised to hear of me

coming to this country. I'll just tell you all about my

whereabouts. I got tired living in the City, and

was beginning to feel a little run down in health, so

I decided to make a change. Left New York on

June 3rd, the 4th I spent at Niagara Falls. I won't,

in fact, I could not describe the beauties of the Falls.

I took a trip underneath the great Horseshoe Falls,

went down with a party of eight. Of course, we were

all clothed in rubber coats and boots. It was a great

sight to see. I forgot to say that I had a very funny

feeling when I first stood under my own flag once

more. I expected to meet my brother on this side of the

bridge, but did not meet him until I was at the

station bound for Hamilton, so we both started

for Hamilton, where I spent the night with him. In

the morning we took the boat to Toronto, across

Lake Ontario. It was a very nice trip; we spent the

day in Toronto, and I left him about nine o'clock.

He went back to Hamilton, so I was left all on my

own, and very lonely. At 10-20, I took the train for

the West, with the intention of stopping at Calgary,

but I only stopped there one night, and started off

again, for Vancouver. It is a nice little city. I

stopped one day and started for Victoria by boat.

I must say it was the nicest trip I had in my life. I

stopped a night in Victoria, and went on to a little

town called Sidney, about 20 miles west of Victoria.

There I stayed two days. I might say that on

Friday, June 2nd I was swimming in the Atlantic

Ocean, and the next Friday I was swimming in

the Pacific. I didn't want to stay out so far away

from home, so I started east again. The Rocky

Mountains are certainly a sight worth seeing. I was

simply charmed with them. They were all covered

with snow, and it was very cold going through them.

Well, on my way back I stepped off in this

town and the first day I succeeded in getting a job

in the Canadian Pacific Railway ticket office as

freight clerk; was in it about five weeks when I was

promoted to night agent. Then I had to sell tickets

for all over the country; sold a good few to Belfast

and Liverpool. Well, I stayed at that for about two

months, and got tired of the night work; there was

too much worry attached to it. I left there one

Saturday morning and started in the office of the

largest coal dealers in the town, to do their bookkeeping.

First. I must say, the company consists of

some of the richest men in town, the Mayor himself

is in it. Next year they are going to open up a coal

mine in Alberta, so I see where there is a good

future for me if I only stay at it.

I am glad to say that I have been attending church

regularly since I came here.

I am living in a boarding house, all full of young

men, just two blocks from my works, and am quite

comfortable.

We have had some very cold weather here, some

days it was 40 degrees below zero. I had my ears

frozen, and it is a sore thing. Lots of skating here,

and we have got a big ice rink.

Sorry to hear Mr. Crichton is leaving you, but

hope he will do well.

Best wishes to the Bible Class.

Hope this will find you and all quite well, it leaves

me tip top.

I remain, Yours sincerely,

E. HOLLAND.

Old Seagoe Notes,

List of Churchwardens (Continued).

1755 —Mr. James Toulerton.

Mr. John Medcalf, of Lower Sego.

1756 —Arthur Dines, of Lisnamintry

John Greenaway, of Upper Sego.

1757 —George Dixon, of Derryvore.

James Balmer, of Ballyhannon. .

1758 —George Dixon, of Derryvore.

Dynes Gilpin, of Baltiere

1759 —Mr. Thomas Gilpin, the younger.

Mr. George Joyce.

1760 —John Smyth.

James Morrow.

1761 Robert Black, of Ballymackrannol.

Leonard Calvert, of Breagh.

1762 —Mr. James Fforde.

Mr. Wm. Overend.

1763 —Francis Emmerson.

William Robinson.

1764 —George Medcalf.

James Quary.

1765 —Thomas Watson.

James Dixon.

Repairs to Seagoe Church, 1765.—In the

Registers for 1765 the following entries occur:

April 9^th - repairing the Rige (ridge) Boards.

and shingling ye Church. £5 0s 0d.

It is agreed that the thirty shillings in the hands

of Wm. Robinson, late Churchwarden, be paid into

the hands of Mr. Thos. Newel for flooring the new

Isle immediately.

To Matts for the Communion Rails and the Font, £0.5s.5d.

To repairing ye Pulpit Cashion, £l.0s.0d.

Price of a Pew in Old Seagoe in 1765.

The following occurs in the Registers

:— lt was confirmed this day that Leonard Calvert is

entitled to and the Lawful Possessor of the upper

Seat on the Right Hand in the New Isle lately purchased of

William Mathers for Nine Pounds Two Shillings.

Census of Seagoe, 1861.—The Parish of Seagoe

originally included several townlands which now

form part of the Parish of Shankill or Lurgan, and

also, some townlands which are now included in the

Parish of Knocknamuckley. The following figures,

which relate to the Parish of Seagoe before it was

reduced in size, are of interest. The total population

according to the Census was as follows: In 1841,

11,094; in 1851, 10,503, and in 1861, 11,357.

[The reduction in 1851 was no doubt due to the

fatal year of the potato famine, 1847.]

According to the Census of 1861, out of the 11,357

inhabitants, 3269 could read and write, 3046 could

read only, 5042 could neither read nor write.

(This means that nearly half the people of the

Parish were without any education so recently as 50

years ago.]

The Religious Denominations were as follows in 1861 -

Church of Ireland 5204

Roman Catholics 3188

Methodists 1581

Presbyterians 1318

Others 66

The area of the Parish was 9745 acres, and the

Poor Law valuation £ll,266.

The gross value of the living of Seagoe in 1864

was £998 13s. 5d. Curates' incomes £130. The

nett value after all deductions was £674 6s. 0d.

The Glebe lands consisted of 499 acres, valued at

£900 per annum.