July 1908

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

JULY 1908

THE EXCURSION

The Sunday Schools had their annual excursion to Warrenpoint on Tuesday, June 2nd. The morning was cloudy but everybody was hoping that the sky would clear and our usual good fortune in weather conditions assert itself this year as in so many previous years. There was a splendid

assemblage of Sunday School children the largest we have had for several years and many expressions of admiration were heard from the spectators as the long procession wended its way down the hill to the station. A short service had been held at the Parish Church before starting and a few words of advice given to the Teachers and Children by the Rector. The train was waiting in the station for us and without delay all got on board and we moved out of the station amidst cheers and waving of handkerchiefs. Unfortunately the sky got darker and the rain began to fall (our spirits fell too) and we arrived in Warrenpoint in the midst of a heavy shower. Headed by the Ballyworkan Flute Band we marched to the Town Hall where games were indulged in and some excellent photos taken of the Excursionists by a representative of Messrs. Moffett. Tea and abundance of cakes were then forthcoming, and soon disappeared from view down the many hungry throats. Fortunately the rain got lighter about 1 o'clock and the party scattered in different directions, some venturing even as far as the slippery slopes of Cloughmore. Others gathered crabs and mussels along the shore. The rain seemed to make very little difference, and although 'Seagoe weather' would have been more acceptable, yet all had made up their minds to enjoy themselves and at the end of the day everyone seemed satisfied and pleased. The second refreshment was at 5 o'clock, and after that there were a couple of hours of splendid sunshine which made us forget all about the rain. The return journey was made in good time and there was an enormous crowd waiting to welcome us on our return. Every available point of vantage along the line was covered with people who cheered and waved handkerchiefs as the train passed through. At the gate of the Parish Church a halt was made and hearty cheers were given for the King, the Clergy, and the members of the Band. The number of Tickets issued for the Excursion was 641 which, considering the fact that there were but few outsiders owing to the inclement weather, was very satisfactory. Much credit is due to the Committee

for the excellence of the arrangements and especially to Mr. J. H. Stephenson, whose duties as Financial Secretary were very onerous. Copies of the photograph of the Excursion may be had at Mrs. Metcalfe's, Bridge Street, price 2d.

BAPTISMS.

“Suffer the little Children to come unto Me.”

June 6th—Ellen, daughter of Wm. John and Maria Cox.

“ “ ---Harriet Elizabeth, daughter of Robert James and Jessie Beckett.

“ “ ---William, son of Ralph and Annie Wilson.

“ “ ---Mary Eleanor, daughter of Woolsey and Mary White.

“ 7th—Walter, son of Joseph and Sarah Grimason.

“ 15th —Robert, son of Arthur and Sarah Ann Allen.

MARRIAGES.

“As Christ did love His spouse, the Church.”

(Prayer Book.)

June 9th —Hugh Morrow, Ballyworkan, Portadown to Abigail Jane Ramsey, Kernan.

“ 23rd—At Ballybay Parish Church by the Rev. Canon Young, James Twinem, Tarson, to Elizabeth Armstrong, Ballybay, Monaghan.

BURIALS.

“Jesus wept.”

May 31st—Margaret Guy, aged 54 years.

July 1st—Mary England, aged 91 years.

* * *

We record with regret the death of Mrs England, of Knock, at the advanced age of 91 years. Mrs. England retained full possession of her faculties to the last, and had a wonderful memory, being able to recall events which occurred in her earliest days. Her simple faith in her Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, sustained her to the end. She passed to her rest loved and respected by all. We tender our sincere sympathy to her relatives in their bereavement.

OFFERTORIES FOR JUNE.

"God loveth a cheerful giver."

Morning Evening

£ s d £ s d

May 31st—S. after Ascension 1 4 2 0 10 9

June 7th—Whitsunday 3 1 8 0 17 6

“ 14th —Trinity Sunday 1 6 3 0 11 6

“ 21st—1st S. after Trinity 1 5 0 0 11 7

“ 28th —2nd S. after Trinity 0 18 2 0 9 6

Wednesdays ________ 0 10 0

Total£7 15 3 £3 10 10

HACKNAHAY DAY SCHOOL.

Miss Mary Wilson has been appointed Principal of Hacknahay School. Miss Wilson was trained in the Church of Ireland Training College, Kildare Place, Dublin, and has had a large experience in teaching under the National Board. She comes to the Parish with the highest possible testimonials, and we are confident that under her care and skill Hacknahay School will flourish in the future as it did once in the past. Miss Wilson is a competent musician being proficient both in the Organ and Piano. The School will open on Tuesday, August 4th, at 9:30 a.m. A punctual attendance of the pupils is requested.

CHURCH ATTENDANCE CARDS.

First Quarter.

The following names were accidentally omitted from our list last month. Highest possible total 65.

First Class (over 50 points) Mabel Reid 51.

Second Class (over 40 points) John Porter 45.

Very regular attendance J. Dawson England, George Wilson.

Special Prizes for the Best Cards in 1st Quarter have been awarded to Maude Dickson, and Victor Walker.

PHYSICAL CULTURE CLASS.

We regret to have omitted from our last issue a notice of the Physical Culture Display given in the Parochial Hall on Monday, May 4th. The entertainment was most interesting and successful. The Honours of the evening were won by Mr. Robt. T. Montgomery who carried off the two gold medals offered for competition. Medals were also won by Messrs. W. J. Currie, A. Matchett, Isaiah Shanks, B. Holland and J. M'Murray. Sergeant Crasweller, of the Sussx Regiment, acted as Judge, with Mr. Holland. The medals were presented to the successful competitors by Miss Armstrong amidst hearty applause.

DRUMCREE PARISH.

We congratulate the Rector and Parishioners of Drumcree on the valuable gift of £6,000 given to them by Mr. Mothers, a native of the Parish and now resident at Vancouver, California. Mr. Mathers has set a splendid example of devotion to his Parish Church, and the money he has given is the fruit of much industry and toil. When will some native of Seagoe Parish do likewise? There are many whom God has richly blessed, and who have in this and other lands been able to amass wealth. When the time comes for them to think of how they will dispose of their possessions the interests of the Church should not be forgotten. There are many objects for which help is required. Money is needed to put our Parish Schools on a sound basis. Ground ought to be acquired for a graveyard at the Parish Church. The purchase of the Rectory from the Representative Church Body is an object much to be desired. A peal of Bells might be placed in our fine old Church Tower. All these things and many others could be accomplished if our wealthier friends at home or abroad were mindful of the interests of the Church. Mr. Mathers, who has acted so generously towards Drumcree, is an uncle of Mrs. Stothers and granduncle of the Rev. T. B. Stothers, late Principal of

Seagoe School.

CONGRATULATIONS.

We heartily congratulate our popular Parishioner, Mr. George Calvert, on his election on June 1st to the important position of Chairman of Lurgan Rural District. The holder of this office also becomes a member of Armagh County Council and a Justice of the Peace. Mr Calvert's election to these positions is a proof, if proof were needed, of the high esteem in which he is universally held. We feel that Seagoe Parish is also to be congratulated because Mr. Calvert is so closely identified with parochial interests. He is Parochial Nominator, a member of the Select Vestry, an ex-churchwarden, and last, but not least, the effcient superintendent of Hacknahay Sunday School. Whether at a Sunday School excursion or as a Councillor on one of the County Boards he is the right man in the right place. We join in our congratulations with Miss Calvert, who is also very popular and helps splendidly in all Parish work.

We offer our heartiest congratulations this month to two of our Church workers on the occasion of their marriages. Mrs. Morrow (Miss Abigail Ramsey) was married in the Parish Church on June 9th, and is now residing at Ballyworkan, in Portadown Parish. She was a most diligent Sunday School Teacher morning and evening in Seagoe and Carne Schools, and we shall miss her greatly in the Parish. We wish Mr. and Mrs. Morrow much happiness and blessing.

Another of our workers, Mr. James Twinem, Teacher of the Seagoe Girls' Class, was married to Miss Elizabeth Armstrong in Ballybay Church, Monaghan, on Tuesday, June 23rd, by the Rev.

Canon Young. Mr. Twinem will, we are glad to say, be still resident in the Parish at Lylo Villa. We offer Mr. and Mrs. Twinem our cordial good wishes for their future happiness.

THE ANNUAL REPORT.

The Annual Report is in the hands of the Printers and will be issued without delay.

A VOLUME OF POEMS.

Miss Armstrong, of Eden Hall, has just published a very attractive little volume of verses, entitled, “Forget-me-nots.” It contains many beautiful thoughts, expressed in easy-flowing and elegant verse. We recommend our readers to secure a copy of the book which may be had at Mr. Waugh's, price is 6d each. The book is handsomely bound, and has been printed and published by Messrs. Strain, of Belfast, in their usual finished style.

APPOINTMENT.

Mr. Robert J. M'Kittrick has been appointed second assistant teacher in Seagoe National School. Mr M'Kittrick has just completed his course of training in the Church of Ireland Training College, Kildare Place, Dublin, where he attained a leading place amongst the student teachers. Mr. M'Kittrick has been most highly recommended by the Principal of the College, Dr. Kingsmill Moore, as a skillful teacher and careful student. He is a native of the Parish of Donoughmore, near Dungannon, and received his first lessons in teaching at Omagh Model School, where he acted as pupil teacher. Mr. M'Kittrick enters upon his duties at Seagoe School on Tuesday, August 4th, the day upon which the School resumes work after the summer holidays.

SEAGOE DAY SCHOOL.

The School broke up for the holidays on Friday, June 26th. The Rector was present, and distributed the Certificates and Prizes in Religious Knowledge, won at the recent Examination. Hearty and prolonged cheers were given for the Manager and Teachers. The attendance at the School has greatly increased. The School buildings are now in perfect repair, a considerable sum having been spent on them recently by the Select Vestry.

A Scheme of Medals and Prizes has been arranged for the next School year. Medals will be awarded for good attendance, and a special Silver Medal has been kindly presented by the Principal, Mr. S. R. Chambers, for proficiency in Religious Knowledge in the Senior Division, and a Book Prize in the Junior Division. Prizes will also be awarded in Spelling, Composition, Drawing, and Needlework. A Prize will also be given for the neatest exercises (Home and School) also one for Home Lessons which will be awarded on the weekly Honour Cards.

ANNIVERSARY SERVICES.

A special Anniversary Service will be held in Seagoe Parish Church on Sunday, July 12th, at

7 p.m., and will be attended by the Orangemen of District.

NATURE NOTES FOR JULY.

We hope that many of our readers through the Parish were able to identify the plants which we described last month. It will make every hedgerow and field much more interesting when we

know all about the bright little blossoms which grow all round us.

Every season has its special feature. Last summer there was a profusion of the golden Ragweed everywhere to be seen. This year it seems as if the special feature is the extraordinary growth and development of seed grasses. The meadows look splendid with their feathery bloom. One of the prettiest of grass blooms is the Crested Dogstail, just the shape of a Dog's tail. Notice the

delicate little stamens, 3 in number, pushed out from each spikelet when the pollen is ripe. Examine

the thread-like filaments attached to the anthers, on which they move at the slightest touch.

Many of our parishioners enjoy boating on the Bann on these fine summer evenings. There they will notice the splendid Water Lilies, both yellow and white. The water lilies are the most beautiful of all the flowers which grow along our clear pools or slow-flowing rivers like the Bann. The rich yellow cup attached to a stem often a yard long contrasts with the glossy green leaves which crowd the surface. The leaves feel to the touch like oiled cloth, and the water runs off as if from a greasy surface. The unopened leaves are coiled up into vase-like form, and hence some people call it the Water Can.

The Water Lily grows in Oriental Countries, and the Arabs prepare a cooling drink from its blossoms which they call Pufer.

Some country people place the leaves and roots in their dairies and dwelling-houses to ward off cockroaches and crickets.

Talking of Lilies reminds us of the Orange Lily, which is such a favourite blossom during July. Japan is the native land of the Orange Lily. If you wish to grow good Orange Lilies, they must get plenty of sunshine and not too much water. They should be planted from July to October if you want good blooms for the Twelfth. The botanist's name for the Orange Lily is Lilium Croceum or Lilium Bulbiferum.

Our hedges are bright now with the Wild or Dog Rose. It is a beautiful flower, with a delicious fragrance, and there are no less than eighteen different species of it in this country.

ITEMS.

Next month we hope to publish an interesting letter received from Miss Amy Walker, descriptive of her life in Dresden.

The Rector was invited to preach the Special Temperance Sermon in Drumcree Parish Church on Sunday morning, June 28th.

The Pan-Anglican Congress in London has been a magnificent success. The Thankoffering presented in St. Paul's on St. John the Baptist's Day, June 24th, and to which this Parish contributed, amounted to £333,000. Surely a record offering!

Strong feeling has been aroused in Portadown over the Betting and Gambling at the recent Show. We hope the authorities will put a stop to it in future. We are glad to say that these evil practices find little support amongst our people.

We regret to hear of the serious illness of the very Rev. R. S. O'Loughlin, D.D., Dean of Dromore and Rector of Lurgan; but we are glad to hear that he is progressing favourably, and Sir Wm. Whitla, his medical attendant, declares he is out of danger.

Mr. McDowell, son of Mr. McDowell of Killycomaine, is building a new residence in the United States and is naming it “Seagoe Villa.” We wish Mr. and Mrs. McDowell much happiness in their new home, and we congratulate them on naming it after their old Parish at home, an example which we hope to see followed by other Seagoe people in other lands.

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

The Superintendents and Teachers of our Sunday Schools spent a pleasant afternoon at the Rectory on Saturday Afternoon, June 20th. The weather was perfect, and the grounds and gardens looked well in their summer brightness. Tea was partaken of in the open air, and various games were then enjoyed on the lawn. Some of the seniors played a quiet game of golf on a little teeing ground on the lawn. The unavailing efforts of some of the players to get the ball into the hole were the cause of much amusement. A fine group photograph was taken on the Rectory steps by Mr. Moffett. Orders for copies, 1/6, may now be given through the Superintendents.

OLD SEAGOE NOTES.

Last month we inserted some notes in this column concerning the suppression of beggary in

Seagoe Parish in ancient days. Here is another extract from the Register for 1699 on the same

subject.—That all high and petty Constables shall, by order on allowance of a Justice of the Peace

within their several and respective limits, make a private search once every fortnight or oftener if need require in houses, barns, outhouses, and suspected places in ye night time for ye finding and apprehending of rogues, vagabonds, wandering and idle persons, who shall travel with forged or counterfeited passes, and with ye assistance of some of ye inhabitants of ye Parish shall cause to be stript and to be openly whipt till their bodys shall be bloody or to be put in ye stocks two days and two nights and to have only bread and water.

AN INTERESTING RELIC.

The desk which is used as a pulpit in Levaghery School was originally the Judge's Bench in Armagh Assize Court. It was obtained for use in Levaghery School by Colonel Blacker. The stern thunders of the Law were once pronounced from it and many a criminal has heard his doom uttered from what seems now to be a very ordinary and unimpressive structure.

It is not often that surnames undergo a change, but several noticeable cases are to be found in the Registers of Seagoe. One of the most interesting is the change of the name Smurphett into Moffatt. No name more frequently occurs in the Registers of the 18th century than that of Richard Smurphett, the Parish Clerk. Although the name is now written Moffatt it is often pronounced with an S prefixed.

Another name which has changed its spelling is Metcalf, always in old time spelt Midkiff or Metkiff.

The name Caddell has gone through many changes, sometimes taking the form Kiddle, at

other times Kittle and Kettle, as in the following entry—"William, son of Daniel Kettle and his wife, baptized ye 12th day of August, 1711."

PORTADOWN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.

We strongly recommend parents whose boys are about to enter Trades to take advantage of the great facilities afforded by the Trades Preparatory School in connection with Portadown Municipal Institute. A number of scholarships are being offered, which, in addition to providing free education and books, also carry a payment of £l to a boy who finishes his first year course of 10 months and a payment of £5 to a boy who completes the second year's course satisfactorily. Boys must be over 13 and in 6th Class at school, and must pass an entrance examination at the Technical School on Friday, July 10 ^th, at 10 a.m. Parents should, without delay, apply to the Principal, Dr. George H. Woollatt, at the Technical School.