January 1908

JANUARY, 1908.

Price One Penny.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE,

SEAGOE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL. (photo)

The Parochial Schoolhouse was erected by the Ven. Archdeacon Saurin. in the year 1859. It

replaced an older school, a thatched building, beside Seagoe graveyard, which was one of the first

schools opened in the North of Ireland. The school consists of two spacious rooms, and has accommodation for 190 pupils. Architecturally it is a very handsome building, the gable being surmounted by a graceful belfry. With its wooded surroundings, roomy playground, and healthy situation, it is an ideal place for the education of the children of the Parish.

HOLY COMMUNION.

“This do in Remembrance of Me."

1st Sunday of month after Morning Prayer, and on 3rd Sunday at 8 a m., also on the Chief Festivals of the year.

HOLY BAPTISMS

"I have made a covenant with Thee."

1^st Saturday of the month at 3 p.m., and at any Public Service in the Parish Church, if notice be given.

MORNING PRAYER.

Sundays at 11-30 a.m.

EVENING PRAYER.

Sundays at 7 p.m.

Wednesdays at 7-30 (Winter).

Wednesdays at 8 (Summer).

ADULT CLASSES.

Sundays at 10.

MEN—Wooden Hall, Edenderry.

Seagoe Orange Hall.

WOMEN- Recreation Rooms. Edenderry.

Seagoe Parochial School.

Sunday at 3—Edenderry Hall

SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

Morning, 10 a m.— Edenderry, Seagoe.

Evening, 3 p.m .—Edenderry, Seagoe, Levaghery, Drumgor, Hacknahay, Carne.

MARRIAGES.

Marriages may take place in the Parish Church between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Marriage Fee, 5/- and upwards.

(Marriage Licences for Residents in Seagoe Parish are obtained from Very Rev. It. S. O'Loughlin, D.D., The Rectory, Lurgan).

The Clergy will attend FUNERALS, but due notice should be given.

J. YOUNG, PRINTER, VOL. 111. No. 25

C. COURTNEYS'

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FOR Up-to-Date Job Printing

Call at the PORTADOWN NEWS OFFICE

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2/- PER LB.

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BOOKS AND STATIONERY.

The Latest Books and New Editions.

All the Magazines, Newspapers, Periodicals, & c

The Largest Stock of Stationery in the town.

Prayer Books, Bibles, and Hymn Books of all kinds.

New Books as issued.

See Nelson's, Collins', and Cassell's Libraries at 7d. & 8d. each.

WAUGH'S, HIGH STREET, PORTADOWN.

I Sell the Best Bicycles Made

Namely—

Rovers, Raleigbs, Rudge Whitworths, Royal Enfields, Centaurs, Swifts, and James

On the Easiest of Easy Terms.

Weekly, Monthly, and Quarterly Payments.

Signed,

DAVID GRAY,

1 & 2 WEST STREET, PORTADOWN.

WHEN YOU NEED DRUGS

Don't think of the price—how cheap you can get them. Think of the best Drugs, the purest, freshest and strongest—and come where you always get them.

You cannot get an inferior drug in our establishment, because we do not stock them. Everything we handle is of the highest state of purity. There are no prices lower than ours if you consider quality.

Isaac Davison, L.P.S.I.

Pharmaceutical Chemist, The Medical Hall, PORTADOWN

COPYRIGHT.

HOME WORDS."

"SWEETHEARTS." Painting of two young girls speaking to a young boy over the fence.

Seagoe Parish Magazine

JANUARY, 1908.

Clergy :

Rev. James E. Archer, B. D. , Rector, the Rectory, Seagoe.

Rev. R. Crichton, B.A., Curate, Seagoe Villa.

N.B.—It is most important that in all cases of illness notice should be given to the Clergy of the

Parish without delay.

Churchwardens :

Major Stewart Blacker, J.P., Carrickblacker, Rector's Churchwarden,

Mr. George Calvert, Breagh, People's Churchwarden.

Select Vestry :

ALBIN, MR. JAMES

ATKINSON, MR. W. R

COSTELLO, MR. ATKINSON

GRACEY, MR. ROBERT

GRACEY MR. J. G.

LAVERY, MR. J.

ATKINSON, MR. W. R., Secretary and Treasurer

MAGINNIS, MR. T. E.

MARTIN, MR. T.

M'DOWELL, MR. W. J.

ROCK, MR. DAVID

STEVENSON, MR. J. H.

MONRO, MR. JOSEPH

* * *

BAPTISMS.

“Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst.”

Dec. 7th —Thomas Cordner, son of David and Letitia Rocke.

“ “—Ruby, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Freeburn.

„ 13th —Samuel James, son of Joseph and Margaret Johnston.

* * *

MARRIAGES.

" Love is of God."

Dec. 15th.—David Guy, Derryvore, to Sarah Jane Cordy, Tarson.

* * *

BURIALS.

" It is appointed unto man once to die."

Dec. 1st—Frances Watson, Killycomaine, aged 63.

“ 10th—Jane Bell, Levaghery, aged 67.

“ 20th- Ellen Kilpatrick, Tarson, aged 22.

“ 25th—Ellen Porter, Lower Seagoe, aged 86.

“ 27th—Mary Anne Bell, Levaghery, aged 68,

Jan. 3rd—Lily Porter, Seagoe, aged 17.

During the trying month of December Death has been busy in our midst, reminding us of the uncertainty of life. Mrs. Watson was a staunch supporter of the Church of Ireland and by her

consistent and blameless life proved the reality of her Faith in her Saviour. Ellen Kilpatrick has been summoned away on the very threshold of life. She passed through a martyrdom of pain, and was made, we believe, perfect through suffering. Mrs. Porter had been ailing for some years and had reached an advanced age, she found comfort to the last in the thought that the Lord was her Shepherd. It is seldom that we have to record the names of sisters in the list of a single month, but it is so this month. Within a few days of each other Jane Bell and Mary Anne Bell have been called to their Eternal Home. In their death they were not divided. It reminds us solemnly of the fact that family circles broken here by the hand of Death are being re-formed and reunited on the other side. In the early moments of the New Year another has been called away. Lily Porter was a regular member of our Girl's Friendly Society, and was very much beloved by her many friends, who now mourn her early death. The members of the Girls' Friendly Society, through Miss Armstrong, sent a beautiful wreath.

* * *

OFFERTORIES FOR DECEMBER.

“ On the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him.”

Morning Evening

Dec.1-Advent Sunday £1.19.0 £0.18.6

“ 8-2^nd Sunday in Advent £0.7.1 £0.13.4

“ 15-3^rd Sunday in Advent £0.19.3 £0.16.0

“ 22-4^th Sunday in Advent £ 0.18.4 £0.13.9

“ 25-Christmas Day £0.13.9 £2.1.0

“ 29-Sun. After Christmas £1.2.1 £0.12.9

£5.19.6 £5.15.4

* * *

DISTRESS.

There is unfortunately at the present time a good deal of poverty in the Parish, If those who know of any cases of deserving people who are in specially needy circumstances would communicate with the Rector some means may be arranged for their relief.

* * *

PUBLIC LECTURE.

The well-known and popular lecturer the Rev H. G. Austin will deliver a Humorous Lecture entitled, “The Northman as the Southman sees him," in the Parochial Hall on Monday evening, January 27 ^th , at eight o'clock. Tickets, Sixpence each, Reserved Seats, One Shilling. The Proceeds of the Lecture will be devoted to Seagoe Men's Hall and the purchase of the Bagatelle Table.

* * *

THE CHRISTMAS SERVICES.

The services at Christmas time were well attended and there was a large number of Communicants.

Carols were sung at the Evening Service on the Sunday before Christmas. During Advent a series of Missionary Sermons was preached on the Sunday evenings and we believe a deeper interest in the Foreign Mission Work of the Church was stirred in many hearts.

LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF SEAGOE PARISH.

MY DEAR FRIENDS – I have not written to you for a very long time, but I assure you my silence has not been due to forgetfulness of you or lack of interest in your affairs. I always remember Seagoe in my daily prayers, and the Parish Magazine helps me to make my prayers for you more definite and real.

I am beginning to write this letter on November 8th, the day upon which, TWO YEARS AGO, I arrived at St. Andrew's, Tokyo.

I can thank God, with a full heart, for guiding my steps to St. Andrew's, and for His many mercies to me during my first two years here.

But I am humbled to the dust when I think of the difference between what I had hoped to do and what has been done.

Looking back over the past two years I seem to have done so little, and to have made such poor progress with the language, that humiliation almost chokes thanksgiving.

I passed my first language examination at the close of last year, and though during the present year I have had to spend most of my working time at my desk, studying, I have made some expeditions into the field of practical work.

It was a great trial to me coming, as I did, from a busy parochial life at home, to find myself transformed into A MERE LANGUAGE STUDENT.

I found, too, that what 1 gained spiritually from greater opportunities for meditation &c. did not seem to compensate for the loss of that spiritual contact with souls which one gets in a home parish.

Therefore, I welcomed gladly any opportunities given me of working in English, i e. preaching at the English services in St. Andrew's, or speaking by interpretation to the Japanese, or through our English Night School.

In the latter I teach once a week, and also once a week give an address on some aspect of the Christian Faith. For a long time I had been allowed to go to the METROPOLITAN POLICE STATION once a month, where, with the help of an excellent interpreter, I gave an address to about 40 or 50 policeman, members of Miss Palmer's English class. I am sorry to say that a change of teacher there has deprived me of this opportunity.

Lately I have begun to work in Chiba, a prefectural town of 26,000 inhabitants just under 22 miles from Tokyo by rail. In August last I visited Chiba, and was introduced to a couple of “middle-class” students by an English lady who has been working for some time amongst women in Chiba. The result of this visit was the formation of A BIBLE CLASS, which I hold once a week in the house of one of the boys referred to above, and which is attended by six of his friends. (These boys are about 16 or 17 years of age.) They use English-parallel versions of the New Testament, and I use both languages in teaching them.

Since beginning this class I have been able to start two others with the help of A JAPANESE GENTLEMAN, who teaches English in the Normal School of Chiba. (This is a school for training school teachers.) This gentleman is a Christian of our Sei Kokwai. (Sei Kokwai means Holy Catholic Church.)

One of these two classes is held in his house, and at present about 12 or 16 of his students attend. They have all some knowledge, of English, but to ensure comprehension the passage we study is also read in Japanese, and my remarks are interpreted by Mr T--.

I am the more thankful for the opportunity this class gives me since these students are all being trained to become teachers, and when they leave the Normal School they will be exercising an influence in some of the schools of Japan. The third class to which I have alluded is held in A ROOM OF THE INN, where I have to stay the night. This class is only a fortnight old ; it is composed of teachers in the various schools in Chiba, to whom Mr T-- introduced me, and who readily accepted an invitation to study St. Luke's Gospel with me on Tuesday evenings (the day on which I go to Chiba). Last week ten came. They come at 7-30 p.m. and remain till 9 30 p m. Most of them have a very fair knowledge of English, but, at their expressed desire, Mr T-- very kindly attends and again acts as interpreter. I cannot but think that a special providence has led me to work in a place where there is a man like Mr T--, whose knowledge of English and willingness to help makes up for my deficiency in language power, and I may add that when I went to Chiba first I did not know that such help was available.

I beg of you to remember this work of mine in your prayers When YOU are saying your prayers on Tuesday mornings I am teaching in Chiba. Will you remember this ?

Before concluding this letter, which is, I am afraid, already much too long, I should like to mention one of my duties, which is at the same time my greatest delight. I refer to A SUNDAY SCHOOL which I hold for the children of our English congregation. In this I am assisted by a lady of the congregation, who teaches the " wee " ones. It is a very tiny Sunday school, indeed, there being at present only 11 children all told.

I am somewhat ashamed to confess coming out, as I did, to give myself to direct missionary work, that the hour to which I look forward with the greatest keenness, and in which I find the most

pleasure, is that which I spend on Sunday mornings teaching these children.

And now I must say GOOD-BYE. This letter will not reach you in time to carry my Christmas greetings, but you will have it at the New Year. May the coming year have much happiness in store for Seagoe and its people, and that its months may bring you all nearer to Him in whose presence is the fulness of joy, is the prayer of

Your old friend,

WM. T. GREY.

CHURCH ARMY.

Captain Atack writes as follows from West

Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, Dec. 18th, 1907

At the close of my holidays I was sent for two months to work in Birmingham, which was of the happiest nature. My work there chiefly consisted of visiting and open-air meetings, which were held in the different parts of the parish. Public houses were visited each Saturday by the Vicar, myself, and Mr Cowling, who is the " Gazette " agent. By this means we not only were able to dispose of our Gazettes but also get to have talks with the men who were there about their souls and of the opportunities they were missing. At the close of the two months I was sent by headquarters to here, which in many respects is like Seagoe. It is a country parish, and the chief trade here is chair work. Most of my evenings are occupied. Tuesdays and Saturdays we have a club open for men over 17 years of age. The charge for admission is ld each evening. Wednesday evening we have the bell-ringers' practice; Thursday, visiting men, and Friday evening, a young men's Bible class. The Mission Room I have charge of is three miles from the village, and we have service there each Sunday night at 6 p.m. We have some good attendances, and we try to make the services as attractive as it is possible. With different classes of people it is very necessary to have different methods in order to get at them. Yet after all, whatever the means used, it is all with the one object of getting them, not only to make most of this life but also to enjoy those privileges which God

meant them to enjoy.

* * *

OLD SEAGOE NOTES.

SEAGOE IN 1842.

In the year 1842 Seagoe suddenly leaped into great prominence. In all the newspapers and on all the dead walls from this to Belfast the name Seagoe might have been seen in large letters. The reason was that in January, 1842, the railway line was completed from Belfast to Seagoe, and the Terminus, which is now such an important centre at Portadown, was then located at Seagoe.

It was found impossible to continue the line from Seagoe to Portadown, owing to the marshy ground between the two places, which for long defied all attempts at providing a foundation for the railway line.

The first through train open to the public started from Belfast on Monday, January 31st, 1842, at 8 a.m., and arrived in Seagoe at 9:30 a m.

Here is the first time table ever issued between Belfast and Seagoe.

Trains from Belfast to Seagoe.—

8:10 a.m., 12, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., arriving at seagoe at 9:30, 11:30, 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30. Each train called at Lisburn, Moira, and Lurgan. The times to each of these stations from Belfast being—to Lisburn, ½ hr; to Moira, 55 minutes to Lurgan, 1 ¼ hours; to Seagoe, 1 ½ hours.

Trains leave Seagoe at—

8:10 a.m., 10:10 a.m., 4:10 a.m., 6:10 a.m., arriving in Belfast at 9:40-, 11:40, 5:40, and 7:40. The times to each of the stations returning from Seagoe being—to Lurgan, 20 minutes; to Moira, 40 minutes; to Lisburn, 1 hour & 5 minutes ; to Belfast, 1 ½ hours.

The fares were, Belfast to Seagoe —1st class, 3s 0d ; 2nd class, 2s 0d ; 3rd class, 1s 4d.

The following notice to passengers is given—The tickets for each station will be collected at the one preceding it, and passengers are particularly requested to present their tickets Unfolded, as much inconvenience and delay will be prevented by attending to this. The time allowed for stopping at each station is two minutes. Passengers are requested take their places in the carriages set apart and labelled for the station to which they are going.

At the time that the railway from Belfast (called the Ulster Railway) had its terminus at Seagoe the railway from Dublin had only been made as far as Drogheda, so the distance between Seagoe and Drogheda had to be traversed by coach.

In the first week of the opening of the line to Seagoe there were 8,868 passengers carried, and the receipts were £447 6s.

The contract for making the railway line from Drogheda to Seagoe amounted to £1200,000. The name of the Engineer in charge was Mr MacNeill. The contractor was the great railway-maker Mr Dargan.

It is interesting to know that at one time it proposed that the railway from Dublin to Belfast

should run, not through Portadown, but through Drogheda, Newry, Banbridge, and Hillsborough. Of course in the year 1812 Portadown was a very small place. If the railway had been diverted through Banbridge the consequences might have been serious for Portadown.

The same newspaper which contains the announcement of the completion of the line from Belfast to Seagoe also contains the account of the baptism of the infant Prince of Wales, Albert Edward, our present King, which took place on Thursday, January 27th, 1842.

We notice in the above extracts some interesting points. There were no express trains. Each train took 1 ½ hours to go from Belfast to Seagoe. Each carriage was labelled for a special station. No trains were run after dark. The tickets were made of thin paper about the size of a concert ticket and could be folded. The fares were lower than they are now, 1s 4d being the 3rd class single fare to Belfast from Seagoe. There were no return tickets.

Traces of the old sidings are still plainly to be seen at Seagoe crossing.

There were only 6 trains from Belfast to Seagoe in 1842, and 4 trains from Seagoe to Belfast.

Mr Smith, Engineer G.N.R„ has kindly sent us the following details of the new Railway Bridge at Portadown. The present bridge carries three lines of rail—two main lines and a siding. It consists of three spans supported on masonary abutments, and two groups of cast iron cylinders each 7 feet diameter. The new superstructure will consist of nine main girders 3 for each span, the rails being carried on longitudinal beams. The 3 centre girders will be each 94 feet 11 inches long. The Bridge over Woodhouse Street is also to be renewed, and considerable additions are made to the goods yard and sidings. The new iron bridge will carry only two lines of rail, the present siding being abolished.

* * *

THE PAN-ANGLICAN CONGRESS.

On Sunday, January 19th, at Morning and Evening Prayer, special collections will be made in Seagoe Church towards the great world-wide Thankoffering in connection with the Pan Anglican Congress which is to meet in London next June. The offerings from the Church of Ireland will be sent to the Archbishop of Rupertsland to help the Church in Canada to provide the means of grace for the thousands of settlers who are pouring into that great country. We hope all our people will give as liberally as they can towards this splendid object.

* * *

THE SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

The following arrangements have been made for the Distribution of Prizes.

Carne—Tuesday, January 14th.

Levaghery—Tuesday, January 21st.

Drumgor—Friday, January 24th.

Hacknahay—Tuesday, January 281b.

Edenderry—Monday, February 3rd.

Seagoe—Tuesday, February 4th.

The Meetings in each centre will begin at 7:30. In awarding the Prizes this year Regularity in attending Church and Knowledge of Lessons will be taken into account. Some of our Sunday School children still make a practice of returning home after Sunday School without attending Public worship with the result that they grow up without ever realising the solemn duty which rests upon every one who calls himself a Christian of marking God's Day by worshipping in God's House.

* * *

PARISH NOTES.

The Sunday School Calendar is issued this week and contains several new and important features.

There were 82 children present out of 90 on roll in Hacknahay Sunday School on Sunday last.

We regret to hear of the death on January 10th of the Rev S. A. Brenan, M.A., Rector of Cushendun, Co Antrim, who was Curate of Seagoe from 1863 to 1865. Mr. Brenan was most highly respected wherever he laboured in the Church.

We are glad to hear that Seagoe Men's Hall is proving a great success. Mr. Hugh Stoops is Hon. sec.

The Hon. Treasurer requests that all collections for the Sustentation, Auxiliary, and Choir Funds be handed in to him as soon as possible.

Captain Gaskell is at present working in Milltown Parish.

The Bishop hopes shortly to visit Seagoe Parish. We will all be ready to give him a hearty welcome.

A Bible Class Social will take place shortly.

Miss Armstrong has had a severe attack of Influenza, but is we are glad to hear on the road to recovery.

Protestant Orphan Collecting Cards should be handed in without any delay.

Mr Thomas M 'Crory has won the gold medal offered by the Rector to the members of Edenderry Men's Class who did not miss a Sunday for three years. We congratulate Mr M 'Crory on the fine example of steady attendance he has given to the men of the Parish.

* * *

MEDALS.

Silver Medals have been awarded to the following Pupils in the Sunday Schools who have not missed a Sunday Service in the Parish Church during 1907— Jennie England, Thomas England, Maud Dickson, Victor Walker, Maggie Magee, Maggie Lewie, and Alfred Richardson.

* * *

CHURCH ATTENDANCE CARDS.

The following attended both services on each Sunday during the Quarter ending December 31.

Seagoe—Jennie England, Thomas England, Maud Dickson, Victor Walker.

Edenderry—Ethel Preston, Maggie Magee, Bella Magee, Lily Magee.

Levaghery—Maggie Lewie.

Carne—Adelaide M. Murray.

MISSED ONE SERVICE

Edenderry—Minnie Atkinson, Maggie Smith, Maria Roney, Jemima Allen, Annie Graham,

Thomas Smith.

Carne—Herbert M. Murray-

MISSED Two SERVICES.

Joseph Allen, Maggie Hawthorne, Maggie Roney

GOOD ATTENDANCE.

George Wilson, Theresa Ramsey,Amelia McCormick, Minnie Killow, Nellie Dawson, Sarah McDowell, Susan Allen, John Porter, Annie Smith, Maggie Allen, Mary McCormick, Maggie Costello, James Dawson England, Jane A. Webb, Clara Holland, Sarah

Montgomery.