Feburary 1913

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

FEBRUARY, 1913.

TEE LATE REV. CANON BLACKER.

IT is with deep regret that we record the death of the Rev. Canon Blacker, of Carrickblacker, in the

Parish of Seagoe, and of Woodbrook, County Wexford. The sad event took place at Woodbrook on

Wednesday, January 15th. The end came quite suddenly from heart failure, but he had been spared

to a ripe old age, having been born on January 29th, 1826, and so had reached his 87th year. Canon

Blacker inherited the estate of Carrickblacker in 1897 on the death of his cousin, the late Baroness

Von Stieglitz. He was always greatly interested in the Parish of Seagoe, and was a most generous subscriber to our Parochial Funds. His visits to the Parish were, of course, infrequent in latter years owing to his burden of age, but up to the last he kept up a constant correspondence with the Rector and others regarding the interests of the Parish, and every letter displayed the goodness of his heart and the kindly thoughtfulness which marked every action of his life. The full extent of his benefactions will never be known, for it was his invariable habit to cast the mantle of Christian reserve over all his kindly deeds. He seemed to be a Knight errant of Christian chivalry, so modest and gentle was he in demeanour, and yet so strong in all noble virtues and so courageous in all that made for righteousness. The last occasion on which he officiated in the Parish Church was on September 2nd, 1908, at the baptism of one of his grandchildren.

Canon Blacker's funeral took place at Killanne, County Wexford, on Saturday, January 18th. The Select Vestry of Seagoe sent a wreath, and, at the hour of the funeral, the bell of the Parish Church was tolled. The service on the morning of Sunday, January 19th, took the form of a Memorial Service. The Rector preached on the words—

"I live ; yet not I, but Christ liveth in, me," Gal. ii., 20, and, in the course of his

sermon, made reference to the character and life of Canon Blacker.

We tender to Major and Mrs. Blacker and to all his relatives the sincere sympathy of the people of Seagoe, and our sense of the loss which we, in

common with them have sustained in the lamented death of Canon Blacker.

Our readers will be glad to have the above excellent and characteristic likeness of the late Canon

Blacker, and we have to thank Mr. Gilmour, of Hacknahay, for allowing us to copy it from a valued

photograph in his possession.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

A Week of Services,

The Rev. O. W. Scott, M.A., Rector of Gilford,

has kindly consented to give a series of addresses in

Seagoe Parish Church during Holy Week. The subject

of the addresses will be the " Seven Words from the Cross."

The following note from Mr.Scott will explain the character and object of the services

The Vicarage, Gilford,

1st February, 1913.

MY DEAR FRIENDS, - Your Rector has kindly asked

me do give a series of addresses on the Christian Life

during Holy Week, and I am looking forward with

much interest to the privilege of giving this helping

hand in the work that is being on in your

parish

Holy Week is a particularly suitable time for such

a course of addresses. All Christendom will then be

contemplating the closing scenes in the Life Story of

our blessed Lord. And in harmony with this sacred

season, I propose basing my addresses on the Seven

Words spoken by our Redeemer from the Cross.

May I earnestly commend this humble effort to

your sympathy and prayers ?

Yours faithfully,

OSWALD W. SCOTT.

Prize Distributions,

We have had a succession of Prize Distributions

all through the Parish last month. Space does not

permit us to give detailed accounts of each, but our

impression is that we never before had such successful gatherings.

Mr Chambers excelled himself in the Programme he had arranged for Edenderry,

and he kindly brought the performers to Seagoe,

Carne, and Drumgor, as well. A most pleasing

feature of the evenings was the large attendance of

the parents of the pupils. Some of the items were

exceptionally good. "Urchins we," "The Hobblers,

The Quack Doctor," The Hobby Horses,"

" The Basket of Flowers."

We print here the names of those who, in each

Sunday School, obtained the highest marks in answering

at the examinations held last December :

Hacknahay - Mary Flavell, Lily England.

Levaghery—Nellie Lewie (medal). Carne—Sarah

J. Price. Edenderry—Alice Hawthorne, Williarn

Watson. Drumgor—Tissie Quaile, Fanny Dickson.

Seagoe James M 'Donald. A silver medal was

awarded to Mary J. Best, of Edenderry Sunday

School, for having attende4 every service in the

Parish Church during 1912. In most of the schools

the Teachers very kindly provided the tea for the

children. In Drumgor, Mr. Robert Gracey, and in

Hacknahay Mr. Calvert and Miss Calvert, with their

usual generosity, 'bore the expense of the entertainment,

and we have to thank Miss Armstrong, Mr.

W. J. Allen (Lurgan), Mr. Knox (Lurgan), and Mrs.

M' Keown (Edenderry), for spccial gifts.

Jumble Sale.

The Annual Jumble Sale will be held (D. V.) this

year in Edenderry Parochial Hall on Saturday,

March 8th. Gifts of old Clothing, Furniture, etc.,

will be thankfully received. A special feature of

this year's sale will be a stall for the sale of Second-

hand Toys. Miss Atkinson, of Eden Villa, has

kindly consented to act as Hon. Treas. for the Sale.

The proceeds will be given to Seagoe School Enlargement Fund.

ITEMS.

Hearty congratulations to Mr and Mrs Thomas

Martin on the occasion of their marriage.

On Sunday, February 23rd, the Ven. the Archdeacon

of Dromore, will preach in Seagoe Church at

Morning Prayer on behalf of Foreign Missions.

We regret to hear that the Rev. Dr. Quirk is somewhat

seriously ill. His many friends in Seagoe will

hope for his speedy recovery.

Mr Irwin the popular and efficient Stationmaster

at Portadown has been promoted to be Stationmaster

at Belfast. While we will greatly regret his departure,

we congratulate him on his deserved promotion.

Influenza is very prevalent in the parish.

Special sermons will be preached in Seagoe Church

on Wednesday evenings during Lent. See Handbills.

PUBLIC LECTURE.

A PUBLIC LECTURE on

HOLIDAY IN DENMARK,"

Illustrated by Lantern Views.

WILL BE GIVEN (D.v) BY THE

Rev. J. E, ARCHER,

Rector of Seagoe,

IN EDENDERRY PAROCHIAL HALL,

on TUESDAY EVG., February 25th,

At EIGHT o'clock.

Tickets,

Sixpence Each.

Proceeds in Aid of the Parochial Hall Fund.

Bible Class Social

The Bible Class Social was held in Seagoe School

on Shrove Tuesday, February 4th at 7.15. There

was a crowded attendance of the members of the

classes. Only members were admitted. After tea

the Rector took the chair and gave a short address

on Bible Class work. Songs were then sung and

much enjoyed. A succession of games followed

which created much amusement. Prizes and medals

were awarded at the close. The following won gold

medals for unbroken attendance during three successive

years—Isaiah Shanks (6 years), Thos. Ford, Alex.

M'Cormick, James Sheppard, John M'Loughlin,

Frank Parkes. No less than 18 certificates were

awarded for unbroken attendance during 1912. Miss

Armstrong most kindly provided at her own expense

the prizes won by the members of the Edenderry

'Women's Bible Class.

Hymns for February-

When they had sung an Hymn they went out into

the Mount of Olives."

MORNING.

2nd 9^th 16^th 23^rd

32 33 9 520

275 379 131 441

196 594 609 112

319 438 498 113

EVENING

541 381 577 493

295 237 473 247

553 525 565 613

560 483 306 633

562 641 (1) 641 (11) 641 (111)

The Hymns printed in italics in the above list

have not hitherto been sung in Seagoe. All the

Hymns have been chosen with special reference to

the Season of the Christian Year. Several Children's

Hymns havo also been inserted, and for the 23rd a

selection of Missionary Hymns has been chosen.

Chants—New chants have been chosen this

month for the Venite and Benedictus. The Benedicite

will be sung on the Sundays in Lent instead of the Te Deum.

At the close of each Sunday Evening Service

during Lent one of the Litanies of Penitence from

the Church Hymnal will be sung.

Offertories,

" Give and it shall be given unto you."

Sundays Mornings £4 10 3

Evenings 1 19 5

Wednesdays 0 13 5

Total, £7 3 1

Baptisms.

" Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

Baptized on January 4th.

Smyth —Joseph Henry, son of Thomas and Sarah Emily Smyth, Portadown.

M 'Neill — Mary Jane, daughter of Samuel George and Elizabeth Anna M'Neill, Portadown.

M'Nulty —Ethel, daughter of William Henry and Mary M 'Nulty, Hacknahay.

Brown —Joseph, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Brown, Govan, Glasgow.

Forsythe —William, son of John and Mary Forsythe, Killicomaine.

Private Baptism, on January 14th.

Robinson —Charles, son of George and Christine Robinson, Lower Seagoe.

Marriage.

"Love is of God."

Martin and Gracey—January 31st, at St. Barnabas Parish Church, Belfast, Thomas Martin,

Kilvergan, to Sarah, daughter of Robert Gracey Balteagh.

Burials.

Oh Death, where is thy sting. "

Sergeant—January 1st, Alice Sergeant, of Belfast, aged 89 years.

Lyness—January 16th, Rose Lyness, of Drumgor, aged 84 year.

(Interred in Shankill graveyard).

Fleming—January 16th, Mary Anne Fleming, of Edenderry, aged 50 years

Austin—January 18th, Sarah Austin, of Belfast, aged 61 years.

Robinson—January 19th, Charles Robinson, of Lower Seagoe, aged 6 weeks.

Thornton—January 25th, Elizabeth Thornton, of Edenderry, aged 74 years.

(Interréd in Drumcree graveyard).

Thorpe—January 31st, Sarah Thorpe, of Lurgan, aged 86 years.

A Present for Our Readers.

A free packet of Flower Seeds will be given away

with each number of the March issue of this

Magazine. This is to encourage our Readers in

Seagoe Parish to plant flowers round their houses.

We are enabled to make this gift through the kind

co-operation of Messrs. S. M'Gredy and Son, Royal

Nursery Men and Florists, Portadown.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

A Record in Cattle Driving

A farmer in Seagoe Parish started last Monday

morning to drive a herd of 48 head of cattle to the

County Dublin, a distance of 87 miles. We think this

must constitute a record in the art of Cattle driving.

We have not heard how our friend and his charge

fared, but the mere attempt to accomplish such a

feat proves the determination and pluck which

characterises our Northern farmers. Such a task

would at any time be difficult, but the crossing of

the Mourne Mountains in the teeth of the recent

gales would take the energy of a giant.

Church Army in Seagoe,

Captain Lancaster with his Church Army Van

will (D. V.) begin a Week's Mission in Drumgor

Church Hall on Sunday, March 2nd at 7 0'clock.

The Mission will be continued in Tamnificarbet

beginning there on Monday, March 10th. Captain

Lancaster has had a long experience of Church Army

Mission Work in England and Ireland, and we hope

that with God's blessing he will have a fruitful

mission in Drumgor and Tamnificarbet. We feel

sure that the Parishioners in these districts will give

the Captain and his Cadet a hearty welcome.

Mr. J. J. Dobson,

We have much pleasure in announcing that Mr.

J. J. Dobson is about to be licensed by the Lord

Bishop as a Lay-Reader for Seagoe Parish. Mr.

Dobson will reside in Edenderry, and assist in all

branches of work throughout the Parish. We

cordially welcome him to Seagoe and trust that the

Divine Blessing will accompany all his efforts for the

spiritual welfare of the people of this Parish. Mr.

Dobson's special sphere of work will be in Drumgor

District and in Edenderry, but he will do general

work throughout the whole Parish. Mr. Dobson

has already had a wide experience of Church work in

Belfast and he comes to us with a good reputation.

When he calls with you give him a hearty welcome.

He hopes to move into the Parish next week.

Old Seagoe Notes.

A Bit of Old Seagoe—The Parish of Seagoe can

boast of a pony which may fitly be described as a

' bit ' of Old Seagoe.

" Topsy " a thoroughbred

Welsh pony, the property of Mr John Gilmour, of

Hacknahay, is now 33 years old, and is nearly as

fresh on the road as she was 20 years ago. "Topsy

was in her early days trained as a circus pony in

Powell and Clarke's famous circus, and she is still

capable of performing " tricks " not always to the

satisfaction of her owner.

" Topsy " is a great pet

and answers to her name with much intelligence. We

hope she will add many years to her already record

score.

The Laying of the Ulster Railway, 1838

Last month we gave particulars regarding the

first engines and carriages on the line, this month

we have something to say as to the laying of the line.

The Ulster Railway was the first in Ireland to adopt

the broad gauge, 6 feet 2 inches. The intermediate

space between the lines being 6 feet 4 inches. The

rails were of the " bridge " pattern with broad flanges

at each side and were laid on longitudinal timbers.

The rails were 15 feet to 20 feet in length and

weighed 531bs. to the yard lineal. The timbers were

of American Pine with a lateral inclination of —1 th

of an inch. The cross section of the timber was 12

inches by 6 inches The rails were supplied from

the then well-known works at Dowlais, near Merthyr

Tydvil, and cost £12 per ton. Cross sleepers were

introduced at intervals of 10 feet or 15 feet under

the longitudinal timbers. Each cross sleeper was

10ft long. The rails were secured to they timbers by

screws 5 inches in length and weighing 60zs. each,

being inserted at intervals of 16 inches. The rails

were not, as was then usual, bedded in felt to avoid

vibration, but this was regarded as a mistake since

the screws and bolts were liable to displacement.

Extracts from Archdeacon Saurin's Report

on Seagoe Parish September, 1868.—The only

memorials of the Old Church in the Present Church

are a rude black oak Communion Table and a very

ancient sandstone septilateral (octagonal) font. The

Glebe House has been thoroughly overhauled by

the present incumbent under memorial and a

certificate granted by the Lord Bishop for £l,160.

The cost was borne by the Incumbent.

It is at present an excellent house and in perfect repair.

The Glebe Lands consist of two Townlands held

under patent from James I containing 500 acres,

possessing the same title as the estates held by the

Noble Proprietors of this Parish. If such title can

be tampered with what security has any possessor

of the fixity of tenure ? These estates were granted

to the present possessors on condition.

They allocated the said Townlands for the

support of the Protestant Church so by disturbing

the title of such property, the security of all properties

held under such Patents becomes shaken and

undermined.

There are three schools established and maintained

independent of State aid in connection with the

Church Education Society. No National School in

this Parish is under the patronage of the Clergy of

the United Church. There is one National School

under the patronage of the Duke of Manchester, two

under Presbyterian Ministers, one Methodist and one

Roman Catholic.

[In reading the above extracts it should be remembered

that they were written when Mr Gladstone

was threatening to disestablish the Church of Ireland.

It is also well to remember that in 1868 the

Parish included what is now a large part of Shankill

(Lurgan) Parish.]