July 1911

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

JULY 1911.

The Coronation.

THE Coronation was well observed in Seagoe.

Special reference was made to it on

Sunday, June 18th, at morning and evening

service, and on Coronation Day,

Thursday, June 22nd, at 11-30 a.m.; the form

of service sanctioned by the Archbishops and

Bishops of the Church of Ireland was used in the

Parish Church. Thanks to the generosity of the

Rev. Canon Blacker, who has always taken such a

keen interest in Seagoe Parish, the children attending

the Day Schools and the Sunday Schools were

presented respectively with handsome Coronation

Mugs and bright, gilt Medals. The distribution of

the mugs took place in Seagoe and Hacknahay

Schools on Friday, June 16th. The Rector

distributed them in Seagoe School, and there was great

enthusiasm during the proceedings, and loud and

hearty cheers for the King and for the Rev. Canon

Blacker. In Hacknahay School Miss Calvert, on

the invitation of the Rector, kindly handed the

mugs to the children, who were greatly delighted at

the gift. On Sunday, June 18th, the medals were

distributed to each child attending the seven Afternoon

Parochial Sunday Schools. Medals were also given

to each teacher, and the Superintendents were

decorated with special ribbon badges and medals.

The medals were very handsome, and almost all the

children wore them during Coronation week. Through

the kind invitation of the Portadown Coronation

Committee all the children attending Seagoe Day

School were invited to share in the Coronation

Festivities in the Park at Portadown. There was

great rejoicing, and every child attending received

the gift of a bright, new penny, and then

shared in the feast of good things provided in

the Park. Unfortunately the rain greatly interfered

with the success of the day, but nevertheless all

seemed to enjoy themselves very much. Coronation

Day, 1911, will be long remembered by young

and old in Seagoe Parish.

An Interesting Letter.

The Misses Dawson send the following very

interesting account of their work in South America.

The letter was written specially for Seagoe Magazine.

We are sure their many friends in Seagoe will be

glad to hear of their welfare. The good example

they have set should stir up fresh enthusiasm for

Mission Work in the Parish :

Colegio, Inglese,

Alberdi, South America,

May 3rd, 1911.

After starting from Liverpool on February 4th we

had several days of quite peaceful weather, but when

about half way across the Bay of Biscay we came

into a swell from the Atlantic, which made us a

little ill one morning and badly damaged a few of

our animals, for we carried complete farmyard on

board, and had cattle, sheep, cocks and hens, geese,.

turkeys and a delightful bulldog, rejoicing in the

name of Billy."

I am sure our Seagoe friends

will think he was all the better for that title. We

had even a cat, which was afraid of us, but loved

the sailors very much. We stopped at Las Palmas,

but no one landed, and after some hours employed

in coaling we continued our journey—this time

through summer seas, with the bluest of blue skies

overhead and its reflection on the sea. We sighted

several places en route —the Cape Verde Islands—

St. Vincent and Fogo, but only from

distance. Then the coast of South America came

into view at Pernambuco. We also saw from afar

Fernando Narshna, an island once very much used

as a convict station, and a little still. We had

several attractions and amusements by the way, not

the least the good Old captain, who did his utmost to

make our days pleasant, and succeeded remarkably

well. As we steamed along we passed a great many

flying fish, which looked rather like swallows

skimming the waves; one flew on board and was

caught. We also had several big ships pass us, and

two came almost alongside us, and the flag signalling

between us and them was most interesting to watch,

Off the coast of South America, but a long way

from land, we saw very curious boats—rafts with

sail on top, and the two or more men in them, either

standing, or sitting on a. chair, fishing. They look

most unsafe, but they say they are not, and they are

called Catamarans. When we reached Monte Video

we stopped there the greater part of two days, and

one day the captain took us, five ladies, ashore,

showed us some of the town, gave us a tram drive

to a nice watering-place called Poeitos, and treated

us to lunch there. Monte Video is a rather pretty

town, hilly, and with beautiful Playas, which are nice

sheltered gardens, some of them full of flowers,

with seats in them for the people ; they resemble, a

little, Stephen's Green in Dublin, and some of the

pretty squares in the home cities.

After leaving Monte Video we very soon reached

the River Plate, so wide that you cannot see the

opposite shore, and so muddy that it looks like a

river of tea, of such a colour as our Seagoe friends

get on school feast days, but not half so nice. Our

ship had to anchor some miles out from port and the

doctor's boat came along next morning with the

doctor to examine us, which he did by inspecting us

from his boat as we leant over the side of ours. He

must have regarded us as healthy specimens,

especially my sister and I, who were burnt brown

with sun and sea. Be that as it may, we were let

pass with little parley, and by 6-30 o'clock that

evening, Saturday, March 4th, the good ship

Bellgrano was safely docked, and we were ready to go

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

ashore and view Buenos Ayres. The captain made

us his guests until Monday, and again under his

kindly auspices we saw another town. Buenos Ayres

is a most lovely city, with beautiful Playas, and like

all the towns here it is built in squares We had

little difficulty with the customs, owing largely to

our kind first mate's help, and on Monday night the

captain and second mate saw us off at the station, and

we had a comfortable night-journey to Alberdi.

When we reached this place we found the new

Mission House not quite ready, so we had temporary

homes for a month or more, and lived in somewhat

picnic style. Then on Palm Saturday we moved into

the new place—quite a nice house standing in garden

grounds, along with the Spanish Free School and

High School, also used as a church. These grounds

are sheltered by pepper mimosa and eucalyptus trees,

and are one of the few pretty spots about Alberdi ;

for Alberdi is not pretty, with the exception of its

wide river, the Parana, and sloping river banks.

wonder what our friends would say to miles and

miles of almost unbroken camp ground and such

dust as one seldom dreams of. Sometimes a

dust storm comes, and then an enormous cloud comes

rolling up from the south, the air grows dark with

dust, a great wind rises, followed by rain, thunder,

and wonderful lightning ; then comes cool weather

and relief.

We have had some oppressively hot days since

we came, but also some quite cold ones, and presently

we shall have winter. Our Easter decorations in

Rosario and the Talleres (railway works) were

dahlias and chrysanthemums, and so when you are

surrounded by spring tokens at Easter we are

coming to the fall of the leaf. Now about our

work—mine is principally in the High School,

where I am kept pretty fully occupied each day for a

good many hours, and teach English, German, and

Spanish children Scripture and many other lessons.

They are very dear children, and we are quite old

friends now, It doesn't seem much like Missionary

work, yet they say the future of the Argentine depends

largely on our influencing these children for good.

Then I am learning the language still, and manage

to speak a little.

May 8th—You see it has taken me days to finish

this letter, and there are many interruptions, Miss

Cherry teaches too in school a little, does all the

housekeeping, has an occasional nursing case, and

is trying to get into evangelistic work, both in

Alberdi and also in the Talleres (railway works),

between Alberdi and Rosario, where there are many

English employed as well as Spanish. She had her

first little class of Spanish children on Sunday last,

and will soon get into speaking the language with

just a little more practice.

Two things have been brought prominently before

us in our work out here already. (1.) That Satan

seems much more active, a living awful presence of

evil, and (2) there is a deadly apathy in religion,

which attacks even God's workers if not carefully

guarded against. So we have much need of the

prayers of our Seagoe friends. How much you

could all scarcely realise unless you were here along

with us. I expect you have all been helping us in

that way already; keep on doing so. Perhaps I

ought to say before closing this letter that behind

the difficulties and trials one must meet with in the

foreign field there are, we hope and believe, some

real bits of consolation ; one is, that the presence of

God does not seem further away here than in the

home field, and again, there comes at times the

feeling of joy that one has been privileged to fight

the powers of evil in South America, however small,

and needless one's own little bit of work may seem

to be, and one does hope earnestly that George

Herbert's words will come true :

Who goeth in the way which Christ hath gone

Is much more sure to meet with Him than one

That travelleth by-ways."

Exile from dear old Ireland, and our many friends,

the life here must ever be, but an " honourable exile,"

please God, glad doing of His will.

We send kindest remembrance to all Seagoe friends.

Coronation Visitors,

Seagoe was well represented at the King's Coronation

in London, The Rector watched the procession

passing through Whitehall. Corporal Metcalfe and

Private Charles Wilson, of the Irish Horse, were on

special duty on the line of route. Cadet William

Walker, T.C.D., of Seagoe, was present as member

of the Officers' Training Corps, and Messrs. John

and Nicholas England, of Ballyhannon, went over

to London on a visit and saw the procession. The

two leading representatives of Portadown were Mr

John Collen, D.L., High Sheriff of the County

Armagh, and the Rt. Hon. T. Shillington, a member

of the Irish Privy Council, both of whom were

privileged to be present in Westminster Abbey during

the Coronotion service.

Nature Notes,

During the month of July interest in natural

objects largely centres in the meadows. The

blossoms of the grasses, which wave and tremble at

every breath of the summer air, present us with an

infinite variety of beautiful natural forms. The

cutting of the meadows reveals to the lover of

nature many secrets regarding the habits ot birds,

who hide themselves for protection in the long grass.

Unfortunately the young corncrakes are often killed

by the long knives of the mowing machine as they

shear down the long swathes of damp grass.

A most interesting subject of study for those

engaged in farming and gardening is that of the

habits of insects, which infest the growing crops.

The standard book on the subject, and one which

every farmer and gardener should possess, is Miss

Ogilvie's work on the life-habits of insects injurious

to root crops and fruit trees, The book is recommended

by the Agricultural Department, and contains

an enormous amount of most useful and interesting

information. Every farmer should be naturalist.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Items,

The Church Attendance Cards for the third

quarter will be issued in the Sunday Schools next

Sunday.

Mr. Rogers, of North Queensland, is on a visit to

Seagoe Parish. Mr. Rogers is a grandson of the

late Mrs. M 'Collum, of Kilvergan.

There were record attendances in Seagoe and

Hacknahay Day Schools on the occasion of the

distribution of the Coronation Mugs.

The Coronation Medals distributed to the Sunday

School children contained on one side a

representation of the King and Queen, and on the other side

the arms of the four provinces of Ireland, with the

rose, thistle, and shamrock intertwined.

The Rev. W. T. Grey hopes to pay a flying visit

to Seagoe during August. He starts on his long

voyage to Japan, via South Africa, on August 24th.

A Generous Response.

At a meeting of Seagoe Select Vestry, held on

Thursday, June 15th, the gratifying announcement

was made that owing to the liberal response made

by the parishioners when visited by Mr W. R.

Atkinson and Mr G. Calvert, it would be possible to

have the new heating apparatus installed in the

Church before next winter. A small sub-committee

of the Vestry was appointed to arrange for getting

the work in hand. As a result of one day's visiting

Messrs. Atkinson and Calvert received promises

amounting to £80. Although this will not quite

cover the cost of the apparatus it was certainly a

very generous offering on the part of the Seagoe

people.

A liberal man deviseth liberal things, and

by liberal things shall he stand,"

Anniversary Service.

On Sunday evening, July 9th, an anniversary

service will be held in Seagoe Parish Church at 7

o'clock. The collection on that occasion will be

devoted to the support of the Enniskillen Orphan

Society and the Armagh Protestant Orphan Society.

Protestant Orphan Society.

On Sunday morning, July 9th, the annual appeal

on behalf of the Orphan Society will be made in the

Parish Church. Seagoe Parish benefits very largely

by this Society, which, in conjunction with the

Enniskillen Orphan Society, supports some twenty.

six orphans in the Parish, Each orphan on the

books of the Society receives a sum of £6 per annum,

paid quarterly, and the orphan's name remains on

the Society's books until it reaches the age of 14.

The Society has proved a great blessing to many a

struggling widow and helpless child, and we are

confident that the people of Seagoe will respond

generously to the appeal made on its behalf.

Collecting cards will be given by the clergy to those

who would wish to help by collecting. Last year

there was an increase in the amount sent in to the

Society from this Parish, but there is still room for

great improvement in this respect. At the last

election of Orphans held in June, all the orphans

(seven in number) for whom application was made

were elected, one of them being from Seagoe Parish.

Hymns For

July.

3rd Sun. aft. Trin. Morn. 56 284 261 369

Evg 53 254 474 318 12

4th Sun. aft. Trin. Morn. 32 237 634 423

Evg 39 594 379 496 423

5th Sun. aft. Trin. Morn. 478 463 541 552

Evg 234 557 245 277 17

6th Sun. aft. Trin. Morn. 57 44 137 257

Evg 241 289 300 306 25

7th Sun. aft. Trin. Morn. 37 276 562 625

Evg 50 42 243 120 26

The Excursion.

The annual Sunday School Excursion to Warrenpoint

took place in splendid weather on Tuesday,

June 13th, The teachers and children assembled at

the Church for a short service at 8 0'clock, and were

then marshalled in order and marched to the Station,

headed by the Ballyhannon Flute Band. The long

procession of brightly dressed children, accompanied

by their teachers, looked very nice, and many were

the expressions of admiration heard on all sides as it

wended its way down the hill and through Edenderry

towards the Station. A quick run by train brought

us to Warrenpoint, and in a few minutes all had

reached the famous field, where so many happy

gatherings have taken place. The advance guard,

consisting of Messrs. Calvert and J. Montgomery,

had gone down by an early train and had everything

in readiness, so that in ten minutes after our arrival

the excursionists were supplied with abundant

refreshments in the shape of tea and buns. Some

people said the tea was not sweet enough, but most

people say they had never drunk such good tea

before, and we agree with them. After the refreshments

the excursionists scattered in all directions.

Some lounged along the shore, others bathed in the

splendid new baths, others took the steamer for

Carlingford or Rostrevor, others with good legs and

strong lungs climbed to the " Big Stone." Motors,

trams, and cars were largely patronised, and reaped

a golden harvest from the pockets of Seagoe people.

We believe some of the more enterprising excursionists

actually climbed above Cloughmore to

the summits of the neighbouring mountains. At

5-30 the second refreshment brought all back to the

field, and without any delay tea and cakes raced

down hungry throats, and soon the weary climbers

revived and sallied out again for a round of the

shops and a final look at the glorious mountains and

shining sea. The return train left at 7-45, and

arrived in Portadown at 8-45. There was a great

SEAGOE PARISH

crowd of people waiting for our return, Railway

Street and Bridge Street were lined on both sides as

we marched through towards Seagoe, A large

number accompanied us to the Church, and after

hearty cheers for the King, and a word of thanks

from the Rector to all who had assisted, the company

separated after a most enjoyable day.

Offertories during June,

Morning,£8 6s 7d ; Evening, £2 10s 2 ½ d ;

Week-days, 17s ld.

Baptisms-

Thy vows are upon me."

June 3rd—Samuel John, son of Joseph and Mary Jane Ruddell.

Eileen Sophia, daughter of Wm, James and Adeline M 'Murray.

Martha, daughter of William and Mary Shanks.

7th—Joseph Victor, son of Joseph and Ellen Clulow.

„ 14th—Charles Samuel Armstrong, son of James and Elizabeth Twinem.

„ 22nd —Margaret, daughter of Atkinson and Mary Matilda Costello.

„ 28th —William Hall, son of John and Mary Ellen McKeown.

—Herbert Victor, son of John and Mary Ellen McKeown.

Burial.

I give unto them Eternal Life."

June 21st—William James Black, Ballynaghy, aged 7 years.

27 th—Elizabeth Graham, Tarson, aged 75 years.

Old Seagoe Notes.

The Ballad of Tommy Downshire.—We thank

'Mrs. William Hart, of Ballygargan, Portadown, for

kindly sending us the following verses of this old

ballad. In a recent issue we published four other

verses, and gave an account of the origin of the

outbreak :—

It was on a gummer morning,

As daylight was dawning,

1 heard a bugle-horn just at the break of day

1 asked what caused such smoke and fire,

And they told me it was Tommy Downshire,

And quickly with him I did hire

To go and fight that day, boys

We marched by Knock Bridge to the canal,

We viewed the mainmast, tight and tall ;

Tommy says now should you fall

Be loyal and be true, boys.

We have much blood for to be shed,

Let every man fight for his bread,

For we're Tommy's men from the Shane Hill,

Come, let us clear the way, boys.

MAGAZINE.

Bold Hancock from Lurgan town,

He surely on us all did frown ;

But Tommy says we'll give him a down,

For he has to much to say, boys.

So we chased him round by the Bluestone,

To Lurgan town he dare not go home,

He crossed Lough Neagh and to Tyrone,

I think he's o'er the sea, boys.

And if he happens to return,

Tommy vows he will him burn ;

Or otherwise he'll make him mourn

Unto his dying day, boys.

Then home we came by Drumlin Hill,

Both old and young did laugh their fill ;

Here is Tommy's men from the Shane Hill,

And they have cleared the way, boys.

Coaching Days in Seagoe.—The following

interesting extract from an old newspaper describes

the running of the Stage Coach from Armagh through

Portadown and Seagoe to Belfast

Armagh had no public conveyance to Belfast until

1812, when Mr. James Johnston, of Lurgan, established

a lightly constructed and well got up coach

to run on that line of road. John Byers, one of the

most accomplished of whips, and, as a rule, blandest

of coachmen, was appointed " lord of the ribbons."

His team had no equal, and so well did he manage

that equine troop that he never required to use the

whip. For long period after the Armagh coach

began to run the thirty-one Irish miles was performed

with two sets of horses. The first set ran from

Armagh to Lurgan—fourteen miles—without stopping,

and the next set ran to Belfast—seventeen

miles—with an interval of ten minutes at the Hertford

Arms, Lisburn. The coach ran three times.

each way every week, starting from Armagh at six

in the morning, stopping at Lurgan for breakfast,

and arriving at Magee's Hotel in High Street at two

o'clock. As years rolled on the traffic increased very

much, and in 1824 the coach commenced to run

down and up daily, John Byers driving the entire

sixty two miles, thus accomplishing an amount of

work unequalled in the annals of Jehuism, and this

continuous labour he performed for a great many

years, never being a single day off the road.

At length the time came when coaches, caravans,

and cars ceased to find occupation on that line of

road. The steam driven locomotive, with its long

train of carriages, started by the Ulster Company„

commenced working August, 1839, and ran first to

Lisburn. Two years afterwards the way was opened

to Portadown, and gradually the old system of

passenger traffic on common roads became obsolete

in that section of country. The old four-horse coach,

with its handsome turn out, and red faced driver, has

consequently become a thing of the past, and, except

in pictures, illustrative of former times, the rising

generation of this age are not likely to see in its full

glory either a post chaise or a passenger coach.