January 1918

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

1918.

OLD FONT IN SEAGOE CHURCH. (description below photo)

MOTTO FOR 1918:

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Ps.xxiiis I.

This Magazine is on sale at MRS. KYLE'S (Collins' Grocery Stores), 16 Bridge Street, Portadown.

Circulation – 250 Copies Monthly. PRICE TWOPENCE.

For Regulations regarding Services, and also Fees for Certificates, see Page 3,

THOMAS KERR, Sanitary and Heating Engineer, Plumber, Gas and Bell Fitter.

BEST WORKMANSHIP GUARANTEED.

All Work Entrusted to My Care Shall Have Prompt and Careful Attention.

SEWERS TESTED AND REPORTED UPON.

36 & 38 Thomas St., Portadown

HOUSEFURNISHING, HARDWARE, CUTLERY, JEWELLERY, and STATIONERY.

Private Room for Selecting Wedding Rings.

H. WALLACE, HIGH STREET, PORTADOWN.

T. J. MONTGOMERY & SON, Tea Specialists,

HIGH STREET, PORTADOWN.

TWENTY AWARDS in Tea Blending Competitions open to the United Kingdom.

TEAS OF ALL KINDS, from the Finest Tea Gardens of India and China.

TEAS AT ALL PRICES.

TRY OUR GOLD_MEDAL BLEND.

BOOKS AND STATIONERY OF ALL SORTS AND BEST VALUE.

WRITING PADS and PAD BOXES with Envelopes, FOUNTAIN PENS, good and cheap. BIBLES, HYMN BOOKS, PRAYER BOOKS.

POCKET BOOKS, NOTE BOOKS, LADIES' BAGS, DRAWING BLOCKS AND DRAWING BOOKS, SCHOOL BOOKS, PRIZE BOOKS, &c.

J. WAUGH, High Street, PORTADOWN.

C. J. COLLINS,

FAMILY GROCER,

TEA AND PROVISION MERCHANT.

My Teas are Unsurpassed for Quality, Strength and Flavour.

16 Bridge St., PORTADOWN.

To the People of Portadown and Seagoe.

READ THIS.

No better value can be obtained in all classes of DRAPERY GOODS all the year round.

No better TAILORING, DRESSMAKING, COAT- MAKING or MILLINERY.

No more up-to-date VEHICLES for FUNERALS and WEDDINGS.

No better service can be given for FURNITURE REMOVING than that given by

Anderson & CO. The People's Drapers and Undertakers, PORTADOWN.

THERE'S A PHOTOGRAPHER IN YOUR TOWN

Moffett

53 Bridge St.

MESSRS. HAMILTON & ROCK

UP-TO-DATE Tailors and Outfitters,

Church Street, PORTADOWN

The Leading House in the District for STYLE, FIT AND FINISH.

NOTE THE ADDRESS: CHURCH STREET, PORTADOWN.

Ye Anchor Cafe

First Class Restaurant

AT THE BRIDGE

Five Minutes' Walk from Station.

BREAKFASTS, LUNCHEONS & TEAS

HOT LUNCHEONS DAILY From 12 to 3 o'clock

PRICES VERY MODERATE

LARGE ROOM FOR FOOTBALL AND CYCLE PARTIES

Separate Room for Weddings if Notice is Given to the Manageress.

THE ROAD TO HEALTH

INGLISBREAD

Made from Pure, Wholesome, Strength-Producing Ingredients, and Supplied Fresh Daily at your

own door.

INGLIS & CO., Ltd., Eliza St. Belfast

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

JANUARY, 1918

A Happy New Year to all our Readers at home and abroad.

THE RECTOR has obtained permission from the Lord Bishop of Down to leave the Parish for four months, in order to undertake work at the front in France, in connection with Church Army Hut. He has applied for a post as near as possible to the Ulster Division, so that he may be in close touch with the men from Seagoe and the neighbourhood. He hopes to leave some time this month. During the Rector's absence the Rev. T. H, Scanlon will be in charge of the Parish. The clergy of the Parishes of Portadown, Knocknamuckley and Drumcree, have very kindly consented to assist in the Services in the Rector's absence, and the Rev. James Smyth, Rector of Ardmore, has also agreed to assist in Parochial visiting if necessary.

The Magazine.

Seagoe Parish Magazine reaches the 18th year of its age this month. We hope our readers will like the new cover. The border is of new design. The Vignettes represent the Four Seasons. Pensive Spring (the lower face on the right); Flowery Summer (top right-hand corner); Fruitful Autumn and Stormy Winter. The fine block of the Old Font will be appreciated by the thousands here and elsewhere who have by the side of that ancient stone been admitted by Holy Baptism into the Church. It was brought to the present Church from the Old Church, and is at least several centuries old. We direct attention also to the Parish Motto for 1918--”The Lord is my

Shepherd, I shall not want.”

Important.

Mrs. Blacker writes—

It had been the intention during December to make a house-to-house collection throughout the

Parish for "Our Day" Red Cross Fund.

Owing to unforeseen diffculties this had to be post-poned, and it was only possible to visit very few houses, who each made good contribution of country produce, which was sold on December 22 ^nd.

The postponed collection of Money and Country Produce will now take place in January, but the amount realized will be included in the 1917 total.

Already over £900 has been subscribed by Portadown and District, and it is hoped Seagoe will do its best to raise the total to £1000.

Appointment.

Mr. William E. Dickson, Assistant Teacher at St. Columba's School, Dublin, has been appointed Assistant Teacher in Seagoe School. Mr. Dickson was trained in the Church of Ireland Training College, Kildare Place, and comes to us with the highest recommendations. He entered upon his duties at the re-opening of the School on Monday, January 7th.

Presentation.

Mr. Christopher Boyle, now Principal of Carginagh School, Kilkeel, was made the recipient of a handsome present by the Pupils, on the occasion of his leaving the School for his new post. The Rector presided and the gifts, consisting of silver lamp, set of spoons and tray, were handed to Mr. Boyle by Isabella Best, one of the pupils, who read the following address, written and composed by herself.

DEAR MR BOYLE,

We are all very sorry to hear that you are leaving, but we are delighted to hear that you have been promoted to Principalship. As you have been a number of years here and have been very diligent, we wish you every success in your new school. The pupils of this school proposed that you

should get a presentation. Subscriptions came in willingly from the pupils and some friends. We hope you will accept this lamp, spoons, and tray as a token of our affection and esteem.

The Pupils of Seagoe School.

Mr. Boyle replied in a few suitable words, and thanked the children for their kindness to him. The Rector on behalf of the children expressed their good wishes for Mr. Boyle's happiness and prosperity in his new appointment After a round of hearty applause the proceedings terminated. The presentation took place on the last day of the school term, Wednesday, December 19th.

Organ Recital.

The Organ Recital in the Parish Church on Wednesday, December 12th, was much apprec-iated. Mr. G. A. Hardcastle showed himself a master-hand at the Organ. There was a splendid variety in the pieces selected, and a high level of devotional and artistic treatment was maintained throughout. Mr. David Murray, Rector's Churchwarden, and Miss Amy Walker contributed much to the profit and pleasure of the Recital, by their cultured rendering of several sacred vocal pieces. The Choir sang a short Anthem "Lead, me, Lord," with great taste and feeling. The expenses of the Recital were most kindly borne by the People's Churchwarden, and it was therefore possible to send the full amount of the offerings, £5— to the U.V.F. Hospitals Fund.

War Funds.

Three substantial sums have been sent from Seagoe Parish to the support of War Funds during the past month. £5 was contributed to the U.V.F. Hospitals as a result of the Organ Recital in Seagoe Church. £4 was sent from Levaghery Sunday School for the support of the Soldiers' Rest Room at Portadown Station, and £l was sent from Miss Armstrong's Girls' Bible Class to the Rest Room.

Congratulations.

We heartily congratulate Mr. James M'Keown, of Bridge Street, a member of our choir, on his success in completing his term of apprenticeship as an Architect, and his admission as a member of that honourable profession. Mr. M'Keown served his time as an apprentice under Mr. Fennell, F.R.I.B.A., M.R.I.A., one of Ulster's most distinguished Architects. He now occupies a post in the offce of Mr. Seeds, Architect, Donegall Square, Belfast. We anticipate a very successful career for Mr. M'Keown.

A wide scope exists in Portadown for its improvement from an architectural standpoint. The only impressive bits of architecture in the town are the two massive pillars flanking the approach to the railway station. The fine Saunderson Statute is a decidedly artistic possession, and the Carnegie Library and Bank of Ireland can boast of a fairly good frontage, but apart from these the town is sadly lacking in architectural beauty. We hope Mr. M'Keown will devote himself to the architectural development of Portadown, so that as it grows in commercial prosperity it may at the same time not be indifferent to the refining influence and beauty of art.

Seagoe Day School.

Special Prizes were awarded at Christmas to Thos. Rainey, Hannah Rainey, Norman Walker and Sidney Walker for having made 90 or more attendances since the Summer holidays. Lallie Coulter, Mary Coulter, Maggie Coulter and Maude Coulter, all members of the one family averaged 85.5 attendances.

During the Christmas holidays necessary repairs have been executed in the School, and the floors and walls and furniture have been thoroughly washed, cleansed and disinfected. Special attention is also paid to the heating of the class rooms. The school during the past year has had a better health record than at any previous period of its long existence.

Correction.

In the list of collections in the townlands for Comforts Fund the following should have been:

Hacknahay-----12s 6½ d

Drumlisnagrilly, Drumnacanvey and Knock-----£1 3s 1d

With apologies, I. ATKINSON.

The Rev. W, R. Crichton in India.

A letter has been received from the Rev. W. R. Crichton, who has arrived safely in India —He writes: Hebbal Camp, Bangalore, 16th November, 1917.

As the mail is going very soon I can only take time to thank you for the Magazine just received. I shall never forget Seagoe and all my friends there. At present I am in charge of this camp of British troops and I am the only "padre" in residence, if you can call dwelling in tent a residence. This is a large place, and I am lucky to be here. It is one of our best stations and usually reserved for senior men. Later on I may get to Mesopotamia. I met an officer here lately who knew Portadown well, and had often been in Seagoe Church. The world is small. We have a good Y.M.C.A. here, run by an English Curate who does a good deal of the work that would fall to me if he were not about.

Kind regards to all and best wishes for Christmas.

W. R. CRICHTON.

P.S.—No submarines seen on the way out, and a good voyage.

A Boy Wanted.

[The Rector has received the following letter from Mr. Bickett, who is a native of Drumnagoon in this Parish, and has risen to a position of eminence in the educational life of the United States. A prosperous future awaits any small boy in Seagoe Parish whose mother will be prepared to accept Mr. Bickett's generous offer.]

FROM: Bernards Township Public Schools,

Bernardsville, New Jersey,

December 11, 1917.

TO: Wm, J, Bickett, Supervising Principal,

Rector, Seagoe Parish (near Portadown),

County Armagh, Ireland.

My Dear Mr. Archer—

Since I wrote you two or three years ago, I have moved from Rahway, about 18 miles away, to Bernardsville, N.J.

I do not know the conditions in the parish, but presume that they are rather hard. If there are any orphans, particularly boys from 6 to 10 years of age, I would be very glad to have one sent to this country as I am going to adopt one and would very much prefer having one from Armagh County. I would of course prefer and want him to be from a good healthy family, without any tuberculosis on either the father's or mother's side, and a boy that shows some promise of mental ability. If you know of any such, I would be glad to bear any expense in connection with the matter. Of course it is understood that the boy be from Protestant parents and not Catholic. If there are any immediately available, will you kindly send me a photograph and I will arrange for transportation to this country. May I hear from you as soon as possible?

Very truly yours,

WM. J, BICKETT,

Bernardsville, N.J.,U.S.A.

Nature Notes.

The Stars in January—Mercury is a morning Star, and will rise 1 ½ hours before sunrise on January 25th. Venus is at her greatest brilliancy on the 5th, after this she does not remain long in the evening sky. She will be a beautiful object in the Telescope in January, her shape being a crescent, similar to the Moon, when 3 or 4 days old. Mars rises at 10:50 p.m. on the 1st, and at 9:21 p.m. on the 31st, nearly due east. As he is rapidly approaching the earth, his brightness is increasing, and he will be a conspicuous object at the end of the month. Jupiter is a brilliant object in Taurus between Aldebaran and the Pleiades. On dark and moonless nights he is sometimes so bright as to cast a distinct shadow.

Sunspots were the cause of the curiously uncertain weather in December. On December 14th two huge ragged openings in the Sun were clearly visible to the naked eye. The length of the group was no less than 170,000 miles. Their advent was accompanied by a brilliant display of the Aurora Borealis, or "Northern Lights," throughout the United Kingdom on December 16th.

A Record Sunday in Seagoe—Sunday, December 16th, was a record Sunday for Seagoe. A fierce

Northerly wind, accompanied by driving sleet made it almost impossible for anyone to venture out-of-doors. There were only 17 people in the Parish Church at Morning Prayer. A reference to our Astronomical Notes will explain the reason for the fierce weather which prevailed. The Sun was on this occasion the offending member of the Solar System.

PARISH REGISTER for DECEMBER

Baptisms.

Finn—December 1st, 1917, Henry, son of Moses Henry and Margaret Finn, of Portadown

Sponsors—Moses Henry Finn, Margaret Finn.

M'Neill—December 1st, 1917, George Edmund, son of John and Elizabeth M'Neill, of Edenderry

Sponsors John M'Neill, Sergeant R.IC., Elizabeth M'Nei11.

Burials.

M'Cann—December 13th, 1917, Thomas M'Cann, of Ballymacrandle aged 71 years.

Sherman—December 14th, 1917, Edward Sherman, of Portadown, aged 35 years.

Robinson—December 15th, 1917, John Robinson, of Ballyhannon, aged 88 years.

M'Dowell—December 23rd, 1917, Anne McDowell, of Edenderry, aged 72 years.

Erskine—December 27th, 1917, Sarah Erskine, of Edenderry.

Holland—December 28th, 1917, Sarah Jane Holland, of Annaghmore, formerly of this Parish, aged 64 years.

Well Done, Century Street!

Guards' Division, 1917.

This is to Certify that No. 3235, Sergeant John Milligan, Second Bn. Irish Guards, per-formed this deed of bravery.

On the 15th March, 1917, the enemy left their front trenches in St. Pierre Vaast Wood, and our troops penetrated into the outskirts of the Wood. It was imperative to find out the position which they held. All over the Wood there were Snipers, and in some places Machine Guns. The orders were to push gradually on, so as to obtain the whole Wood. This Sergeant for three consecutive days worked with his Section, reconnoitring the position, and taking every possible advantage of the retirement of the enemy. His energy and courage have before been brought to notice, and he was mentioned in despatches on the 1st January, 1917, for consecutive good work. He has, however, never received any British Military reward.

This Certificate is issued in appreciation of the Act, but does not entitle or qualify the recipient to any reward, extra emolument, or pension.

A. JENNING, Major-General,

Commanding Guards Division.

March, 1917.

ITEMS.

A few Parish Almanacs remain for sale at Mrs. Kyle's, Bridge Street, ld each, You can't face the New Year without one, so secure it at once.

Will the Magazine distributors kindly forward their receipts for the Magazine Sales for 1917 without delay, and much oblige.

The subject Of study for the Bible Classes during 1918, is the Story of Israel, from the death of Saul to the captivity.

We offer our hearty congratulations to Mr. Thomas Hopps, of Balteagh, on his recent marriage. Mr. Hopps has been for many years a most faithful helper in the Parish, especially in connection with Drumgor Sunday School.

A Band of Hope Meeting, largely attended, was held in Edenderry Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 11th.

The Misses Dawson on their way to Portugal last month were held up in the South of France, owing to the Revolution in Lisbon, and missed their boat for South America. They succeeded in getting the next boat and we hope have by this time arrived safely in Buenos Ayres, from whence they were to travel by the Transcontinental Railway to Chile.

There were 45 Baptisms in Seagoe Church in 1917—29 males, 16 females.

Read our new advertisements and get your goods from those firms whose names appear in our columns.

Mr. John Robinson, of Ballyhannon, whose death is recorded in this month's issue was 88 years of age, and had lived all his long life in the same place. His father also was born and lived all his life in the same house at Ballyhannon.

Lieut.Col. Glover, Locomotive Engineer on the G.N.R.. has been for the past year on war duty in France. He is very much respected by all the men in his department, and wrote them a very kind letter of good wishes at Christmas-time, which they greatly appreciated.

The Day of Prayer, Sunday, January 6th, was observed by special Services in the Parish Church, at which the authorised Form of Prayer and Thanksgiving was used. The King's Proclama-tion was read at both services. The offerings for the Red Cross amounted to £7 9s 6d.

In the "Illustrated London News" of January 5th, a two page sketch of the Ulster Troops advancing along the Canal du Nord, near Cambrai, in the recent advance, is published.

OFFERTORIES FOR DECEMBER

Sunday Mornings £5 9 1

“ Evenings 6 14 1

Week-days 0 7 1

Christmas Day 4 17 8

Totals £17 7 11

Old Seagoe Notes.

Ancient Irish Symbols in Seagoe Church. —

A Memorandum written on the inside page of the Lectern Bible in Seagoe Parish Church is as follows —This volume of the Holy Bible with its companion volume were presented by Thomas Drew, Esq., R.H.A., for use upon the Lectern of this Church at Easter (April 17), 1892.

The ornaments in the four corners of the front covers of each volume represent the Ancient

Symbols of the Holy Trinity, as found in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. In Mr. Drew's words

these symbols have this history—When I was digging among the Mediæval burials in the cloister a few years ago, I found in so many instances that it must have been a general custom, to place on the breasts of the fratres et sorores (brothers and sisters) of the congregation a copper coin or token bearing an Emblem of the Holy Trinity. From one which I found still wrapped in a piece of linen I enlarged the triple device which has since been used to mark furniture, music and bookbinding.

Mr. Drew has reproduced these symbols in the Mosaic tiling of the Chancel, and the Pace below the Holy Table.

At an adjourned meeting of the Annual Vestry, held on Monday, 25th April, 1892, the following Resolution was unanimously adopted. Resolved—“That we, the Vestry of Seagoe Parish desire to present our cordial thanks to Thomas Drew, Esq R.H.A., for his appropriate gift of two richly bound Bibles for use upon the Lectern—itself also a specimen of his rare artistic skill, to which we are indebted for the singular grace and beauty of our restored Parish Church, and of its ornaments and fittings.”

ABRAHAM DAWSON, D. D., Archdeacon of Dromore, Rector of Seagoe.

HYMN.—Written for the Evening Service at Hacknahay Schoolby the late Lieut. Col.Wm. Blacker,

of Carrickblacker, seventy years ago.

The original Printed Copy of this Hymn has been kindly lent to us by Miss Calvert, of Breagh.

Lord, ere we turn us to repose,

Before our eyes in slumber close,

To Thee our humble thanks we pay,

For all the blessings of the day.

If safe through many an evil hour—

If shielded from the tempter's power,

The safe-guard of our path we own,

Is Thy protecting love alone.

Alike to Thee the day—the night, (1)

Alike the darkness and the light;

Through both, to us, all gracious Lord,

Thy sure protection then afford.

May o'er us still, awake—asleep,

The "Angel of Thy presence(2)" keep

His guardian watch; his pinions spread

"About our path, about our bed (3)."

Oh, teach us so of Time to think(4),

As those who stand on Judgment's brink,

Whose soul this night requir'd may be(5),

Forbid another dawn to see.

To Father, Son, and Spirit bless'd,

Be worship, glory, praise, address'd;

Hosannah, Lord supreme, to Thee,

Triune in glorious majesty.

1—Psa1m 139, v. 12; 2—Isaiah 63, v, 9; 3—Psa1m 119, v.3; 4—Psa1m 90, v. 12; 5—Luke 12, v. 20.