Feburary 1925

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

FEBRUARY, 1925.

Seagoe Parochial Mission

March 21st to March 29th.

CLERGY:

Rev. Canon Archer, B.D., The Rectory, Seagoe,

Portadown.

Rev. William T. Wilson, M.A., 20 Edward Street,

Portadown.

Rev. Robert W. Johnston, L.Th., 35 Church Street,

Portadown.

CHURCHWARDENS:

Mr. Thomas H. Wilson, Lower Seagoe—Rector's.

Mr. John E. Lavery, Kilvergan—People's.

N.B.—For List of Services, etc., see Last Page.

A Parochial Mission.

The Rev. Canon Forrester, B.D., of Dublin, has

kindly consented to hold a Mission in Seagoe Parish

beginning on Saturday, March 21st, and concluding

on Sunday, March 29th. Canon Forrester has had

a wide experience of Parochial Missions, and bears

a highly honoured name in the Church of Ireland.

For fourteen years he was a member of the Dublin

University Mission in India, and since his return

from the Mission field has held high and responsible

positions in his University and in the Church. He

is not quite a stranger to Seagoe, as on one occasion

when home on furlough from India he stayed with

the Rev. W. R. Crichton at Seagoe Villa. We publish

a letter which Canon Forrester has addressed

to the Parishioners of Seagoe. It speaks for itself.

We ask the prayers of our people that God's blessing

may rest upon him who comes with the Divine

message into our midst, and that all may receive

Spiritual strength and refreshment during the days

of the Mission. Read carefully the Missioner's letter,

also the short statement headed "What Can We Do?"

and please be quite sure to pray the Mission Prayer

each day. Copies of the Prayer will be printed and

circulated. A Mission Committee will be formed

at once to organise in preparation for the Mission.

Parochial Mission,

MARCH 21st-29th, 1925.

MISSIONER'S LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF

SEACOE PARISH, PORTADOWN.

DEAR FRIENDS, - Your Rector has asked me to

conduct a Mission in your Church during the last

week in March. The object of a Mission is to stir

us up to make a really serious effort to know God

better, to see more clearly how many and hateful

are our sins, and to become more faithful followers

of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is, I think, the right order in which to state

our aims. For the better we know God the better

shall we understand what sin really is, and the more

shall be realise how wonderful is the unspeakable

compassion of Him Who loved us and gave

Himself for us. And when we have learned that

God does truly and everlastingly love us we shall

not be able to resist the drawing of His love: we

shall just feel compelled to give ourselves to Him

without reserve, and "daily endeavour ourselves to

follow the blessed steps of His most holy life."

So much for ourselves. And I suppose we must

begin with ourselves. But we must not stop here.

We shall want to bring others to Him, who

brought to us life, and peace and joy. Our hearts

will yearn over the many who do not know Him,

and the power of His love. So we shall go search

for them, and, it may be, "compel them to come in."

Our mission, then, will thus have double aim. We,

who already know God, will strive to deepen that

knowledge in ourselves; and we will, with God's

help, try to bring others, who know Him not, to the

foot of the Cross that they too may "seek after God

and find Him."

The parable of the Sower teaches us the importance

of good soil prepared for the seed. And so we shall

not be content to wait until the Mission, but will

from now on strive to make ready for the coming

of the Spirit of God. I ask you, therefore, to begin

at once your preparations for the Mission. Pray

both individually and together that God will help

us all very wonderfully and richly. Let us not be

afraid to expect great things. Pray that God may

"come among us and with great might succour us."

Pray for all sorts of people in your Parish: the sick

and sorrowful, the needy and poor, the good and

the bad, the careless, the scoffer and the wicked.

Pray for yourselves and your friends. Pray for

your clergy and all the helpers in the Mission. Pray

that God may draw many to give real hard work

for the Mission. We shall need many helpers, visitors,

choir folk, leaders in Prayer. All kinds of help will

be needed. Tell your clergy you want to help,

and, be sure, there will be plenty of work for you

to do. There is but one thing needful, the spirit of

service. The true servant of Christ utterly forgets

self, and thinks only of the Master and His work.

Finally, will you pray for me, that I may be given

grace and strength and wisdom, so that I may speak

to you truly and simply the word of our God, who

is your Saviour and mine.

J C. FORRESTER.

WHAT CAN I DO?

PRAY. The results of the Mission will depend on

the earnestness of our prayers.

If you do not pray regularly, begin at once to

pray at least every morning and evening. If you

do pray regularly, try to find a little more time for

prayer. Pray for the Mission, for the Church, for

the clergy. Try to learn to pray better.

If you are head of a household and have not had

family prayers or said grace at meals, begin now.

Remember God in your family life.

Go to church regularly on Sunday, that you may

worship God with others. Be regular in your

Communions. Try to go to the special services arranged

to your parish in connection with the Mission.

THINK. Think about what is wrong in your life,

in the Church, in the country. Try in God's presence

to find out what he wishes you, the Church,

the country to be. Think about all the details of

your own life and work; of the way you spend your

time, your money; of your conduct to your family;

of the way you manage your household, your business;

of the way you do your work; of the way you

spend your leisure; of the things you talk about

with your friends. Ask yourself whether in all these

ways you act as a follower of Christ should.

STUDY. Set yourself to learn something more

about the Church, the Bible; the needs of your

country, the needs of the world.

If you have children take care yourself that they

are taught the truths of religion; do not leave their

teaching to others. Prepare yourself to teach them.

WORK. Try to find out some way in which you

can work for Christ. Begin to help in the work of

your Church if you have not done so. If you are

already working for the Church see how you can

make your work better, how you can get others to

work. Ask your clergyman how you can help in

the work of the Mission in your parish. Be ready

to do the work that is needed even if it is dull, or

difficult, or, exacting. If you can only do a very

little, at least do what you can.

WITNESS. Try so to live that you may show

forth Christ to men, that your life may speak of

Him to others. The Mission is a mission of witness;

each follower of Christ must be ready to make it

clear who is his Master. Be more ready to speak to

others of Him; to witness to Him in your work, in

your business, amongst your friends. By our

witness we must try to win the world for Christ. Let

us so live in love that the world may say again of

our families, of our congregations, " See how these

Christians love one another."

Who is sufficient for these things? We can do all

things through Christ who strengthens us. But we

must constantly seek His help. Everything in our

preparation for the Mission, in our work for the

Mission, will depend upon our prayers. The first

and the last thing for us all to do is to learn to pray

better.

PRAYER FOR THE MISSION.

O GOD, the Father of Heaven, have mercy

upon us sinners, and bless the coming

Mission in our Parish. Seek and save the

lost; convert the sinful; arouse the careless;

teach the ignorant; help the weak; and look

with pity upon us all. Through Jesus Christ

our Lord. Amen.

It is hoped that this prayer will be used daily by

all in the Parish, old and young.

Our New Cover.

This month our Magazine appears in a new cover.

We hope our readers will like it. Levaghery School

(the block of which adorns it) is quite a landmark

in Seagoe Parish. It has been there so long, and it

is so old-fashioned one can't help liking it. Besides

that, although old it is still doing a good work,

and Levaghery Sunday School is now larger and

better than it has ever been before. Mr. James

Ford, the energetic Superintendent, is supported by

a splendid band of workers, and the large school

room is quite filled with children each Sunday. We

are glad that Mr. John Montgomery, a member of

the Select Vestry, and a veteran of Seagoe Parish,

just came on the scene as Mr. Moffett was taking

the photograph, and is seen standing with his hand

on the wall. Levaghery School is held by Trustees

who are members of the Blacker and Atkinson

(Eden Villa) families.

Mothers' Union Social.

A Social meeting of the Mothers' Union will be

held in Seagoe School on Monday, February 2nd,

at 7.30. Tea is being provided by a committee of

the members, and after tea all kinds of amusements

will be provided. This will be a great opportunity

for the hard-worked, unselfish mothers to have a

few hours off. We hope all who have at any time

been members of the Mothers' Union will come

whether they have received an invitation or not.

Revision of General Vestry.

On Tuesday, February 3rd, a meeting of the

Select Vestry will be held in Seagoe at 8 p.m. for

the purpose of Revising the List of the General

Vestry of Seagoe Parish. Those who wish to have

theirnames entered can obtain forms to fill in

from Mr. Gilpin, Hon. Sec. of the Select Vestry,

Drumnagoon. The Revision will remain open

during the month of February.

Levaghery Sunday School.

The Distribution of Prizes at Levaghery took

place on Thursday, January 29th, at 7 o'clock. There

was a crowded attendance of parents and children.

After tea a programme of games and music was

enjoyed. At the close of the evening the Rector

distributed the Prizes to the successful pupils.

Drumgor Church Hall.

It has been arranged to hold a Service in Drumgor

Church Hall on the Second Sunday of each month

at 4 p.m. after the Sunday School which begins at 3.

The first Service will be held (D.V.) on Sunday,

February 8th, at 4 p.m. Will residents in this District

please take note.

Men's Recreation Room.

The Rector has issued the following Circular

asking for subscriptions towards the furnishing of the

Men's Recreation Room in Edenderry. Several kind

subscriptions have been already received. We hope

to publish a list in our next issue:—

There is great need of a comfortable and well

furnished Recreation Room for the men of Edenderry

District, which would be open every Evening, and

where they could read the Papers, Play Games, and

engage in social intercourse.

I have been fortunate in securing a suitable Room

in Bridge Street, large, well lighted, and well aired.

It is most centrally situated, and in every way

well adapted for its purpose.

In order to make it ready for use it will require

to be heated (by a Central Stove), properly lighted,

and moderately furnished. This would entail an

expenditure of £25 at least.

The men of Edenderry did splendidly in the great

War, and 36 out of the 52 Names on Seagoe Memorial

Pillars are the names of men from Edenderry.

Subscriptions may be sent to me (Rev. Canon J.

E. Archer, Seagoe Rectory, Portadown); or to Mr.

Hugh Stoops, Killicomaine Road, Portadown.

JAMES E. ARCHER, Rector of Seagoe,

January, 1925.

Death.

Many among us will regret to read in this issue

of the death of Jack Best of Edenderry, which took

place after a long illness on January 28th. He has

been taken away in early youth, but during his

short life he had made many friends, who will

mourn his loss. His gentle, quiet manner and

bright disposition drew many to him. We express

our sympathy with Mrs. Best and his brothers and

Sisters, and with his grandmother, Mrs. Best, sen.,

to whom he was deeply attached.

Eleven Years Ago.

(Extracts from the War Diary of the late Private

Herbert M. Murray, P.P.C.L.I)

Sunday, January 23rd, 1916.—Reveille 5.30. Church

Parade at 10.30. Attended Holy Communion at 7.45

in Y.M.A. Hut. Evening Service in Y.M.C.A. conducted

by Rev. D. J. Hiley on "True Manhood."

Wednesday, January 26th.—Reveille 5.30. Morning

did nothing. Afternoon fatigue at bottom of incline

railway; got back at 8 o'clock. Worked very hard.

Saturday, January 29th. —Reveille 5.30 Rush for

top of line for morning fatigue at bottom of incline

railway. Afternoon off. Sing-song in Y.M.C.A. in

evening. Got Xmas Card from Sir J. C. Eaton.

Friday, February 4th.—Holiday afternoon. Got pass

to Havre. Saw many interesting places, including

Belgian Seat of Government, situated on the sea

front.

Monday, February 7th.—Reveille 5.30. Fatigue at

incline railway. Draft of 28 P.P.'s left for the front.

Evening most eloquent and interesting lecture on

"Irish Wit and Humour" by Canon Hannay (George

A. Bermingham.)

Tuesday, February 15th.—Reveille at 5 o'clock.

Fall in and roll call at 5.15. Breakfast 5.30. Parade

to Stores for sundries. Got 120 rounds of ammunition,

smoke helmet, etc. Dinner 11 o'clock. Fall in ready

to march off 12.15. Speech by the Colonel, followed

by Address and Prayer by Captain Rev. D. J. Hiley.

March off to Station, Le Havre 1.15. Arrived

about 3 after a very tiresome march, a good many

fellows all in. Entrained eight in carriage about

4 o’clock. Travelled all night, passing through

Rouen, Calais, Etaples, etc. Arrived at Bailleul.

ITEMS.

A large number of Envelope sets have been taken.

There has been a great increase on last year. Please

be sure to fasten your Envelope after you have

placed your offering in it. Some seem to forget to

do this, and at times the coin slips out of the open

Envelope, and cannot be assigned to its proper

Source.

***

Will the Sustentation Fund Collectors please

Complete their collection and send in the

Envelopes to the Hon. Treas., Mr. Stoops, as

soon as possible so that last year's accounts may

be closed as soon as possible.

***

A list of Services and Classes and all particulars

relating to Certificates and Fees, will in future be

printed as in this number at the end of the local

matter. The Addresses of the Clergy will also

appear each month at the end of the local matter.

Prize Distribution.

Sunday School Prize Distributions will be held at

Hacknahay on Friday, February 6th, at 6 p.m., and

at Carne on Wednesday, February 11th, at 7.30. Other

Distributions will be announced in the various

Schools during the month.

Parish Register for January.

Baptisms

The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish

Church on January 3rd, 1925:—

daughter of William James and Sarah

Irwin – Edith, daughter of William James and Sarah

Jane Irwin, of Levaghery.

Sponsors—Elizabeth Davison, Sarah Jane Irwin.

Maxwell—Mary, daughter of Richard and Martha

Maxwell, of Balteagh

Sponsors—Ellen Maxwell, Martha Maxwell.

Burial.

Best—January 30th, John Best, of Edenderry, aged

16 years.

The Education Act.

We print here portion of a Pamphlet on above

subject. Copies of the Pamphlet can be had at

Mr. Waugh's, price 2d.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE ACT?

Why is the Education Act of the Northern Parliament

subject. Copies of the Pamphlet can be had at

pel such widespread and determined opposition to it?

Mistaken answers are often given. It is sometimes

said its opponents dislike the control of education

being placed in the hands of the people. It is asserted

the Clergy want to retain their position as managers.

This is untrue and absurd. We who ask for the

amendment of the Act have no quarrel with its general

principles. We have for many years strongly advocated

popular control. We believe the time has come for the

managerial system to be replaced by a more democratic

one. We heartily welcome the many admirable features

of the Act.

What we object to is the way the Act most gravely

endangers the continuance of religious instruction in

schools. It does away with the securities for this that

hitherto existed. It is one thing to get rid of clerical

managers; it is another thing to get rid of the Christian

religion. It is one thing to make education democratic;

it is another to remove the safeguards against it being

merely secular.

NO MANDATE TO SECULARISE EDUCATION.

Our contention is that Parliament had no authority

from the people of Ulster to do away with the

safeguards for the teaching of religion in their

schools. Parliament was expected to reform and

improve education. We applaud what it has done to

carry this out. But the Ulster people never dreamt

that its Parliament would set up a system which

contains no guarantee that the Bible will be made

known to the school children.

We take our stand against the Act because a mere

secular education is a deadly menace to the nation.

Knowledge of the essentials of religion is a supreme

part of a right education. Education fails in its

high functions when it does not include the spiritual

factors that develop personality.

SERVICES.

THE PARISH CHURCH.

HOLY COMMUNION—1st Sunday after Morning

Prayer; 3rd Sunday at 8 a.m., and on the Chief

Festivals.

HOLY BAPTISM—1st Saturday of Month at 3 p.m.,

and during any Service in the Parish Church,

if notice be given; Two Sponsors at least are

required, and they must be, Confirmed members

of the Church. Churchings are held at each

Baptism. Mothers are expected to bring a thank

offering. (See Book of Common Prayer.)

MORNING PRAYER—Sundays and Chief Festivals

11.30 a.m.

EVENING PRAYER—Sundays 7 p.m., Wednesdays

8 p.m.

EDENDERRY PAROCHIAL HALL.

EVENING PRAYER—Sundays at 7 p.m., Thursdays

at 8 p.m.

DISTRICT SERVICES.

Hacknahay—Last Sunday of Month at 3.30 p.m.

Drumgor—Second Sunday of Month at 4 p.m.

CLASSES, &c.

ADULT CLASSES - Sundays at 10 a.m.

For Men—Edenderry and Seagoe. For Women—

Seagoe School.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS—10 a.m. Edenderry Parochial

Hall and Seagoe School. 3 p.m. Sengoe, Edenderry

Parochial Hall, Levaghery, Hacknahay, Carne, Drumgor.

Girls' Friendly Society meets at Breagh (Miss

Calvert's) on alternate Tuesdays at 7.

Seagoe Scouts in Seagoe School and in Edenderry

Parochial Hall, on Tuesdays and Thursdays at

7.30.

Seagoe Girl Guides meet in Seagoe School on

Saturday at 3.

Mothers' Union, Edenderry 1st Tuesday, at 4 p.m.

DAY SCHOOL—Seagoe, 9.30 a.m. Principal—Mr. S.

Rennix.

MARRIAGES must be performed between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Licenses ore issued by Rev Canon Hannon, Rectory, Lurgan. Due notice (48 hours) must be given to the Rector of intended weddings. FEES— By License—Labourers 5/-, Tradesmen 10/-, Merchants and Farmers 15/-, Professional £1. By Banns 5/-. FUNERALS will be attended by the Clergy if proper notice be given. SICK CASES should be notified to the Clergy without delay. FEES FOR CERTIFICATES - BAPTISM, 3/7 Children (Factory), 1/- and 2/- (non-residents) ; MARRIAGE, 3/7. An extra search fee is chargeable in certain cases.