July 1916

Seagoe Parish Magazine

JULY 1916.

OLD SEAGOE CHURCH.

The above sketch of Old Seagoe Parish Church is an exact reproduction

of the appearance of the Church as it was in the middle of the 18th

century. The roof is covered with shingles of Kilvergan oak. The

windows at the south side were small. The level of the floor of the

Church was 3 feet below the outside level. The Horse Block, on which

women who rode to Church dismounted, is seen in the fore ground. It is

often mentioned in the old Registers of Seagoe. The present gates and

stable were not then in existence. We are indebted to Miss G. Atkinson,

of Eden Villa, for the above sketch, which will be highly prized by our

readers.

The Centenary Services,

Very interesting occasion occurred in the history of Seagoe Parish on Sunday,

June 25th, 1916, when the 100th Anniversary of the Consecration of the present

Church was observed. The Lord Bishop, who was visiting the Parish to administer,

the Rite of Confirmation, kindly consented to preach the Centenary Sermon.

Special Hymns and an Anthem were sung, and at the close of the service the Bishop

used some of the Prayers from the Service for the Consecration of a Church.

The Lord Bishop prefaced his sermon by a reference to the History of Seagoe Church and Parish. He spoke of the good work done by the Rev. George Blacker, who first suggested the building of the present Church, but who did not live to see it erected.

He died in 1881 the kind act of the Rev. Richard Olpherts, Curate of Seagoe in 1816, in advancing the sum of £500 to complete the Church, was also mentioned. The fact that there had only been three Rectors in the Parish between 1816 and 1905, Dean Blacker, Archdeacon Saurin and Dean Dawson, was noted as remarkable.

The Bishop chose as his text, “Pray to your Father," St. Matt. vi. 6, and in the course of his

sermon spoke of the duty and privilege of Prayer. The collection was on behalf of the Bishop's Easter Offering Fund. At Evening Prayer, the Rector preached on Exodus xii„ 26, " What mean ye by this Service?” He traced the origin and growth of the Church and Parish from the 6th century, when Goban founded his House on the banks of the River Bann, to modern days when the present Church was built and enlarged.

The Confirmation.

The Lord Bishop administered the Rite of Confirmation in the Parish Church on Sunday,

June 25th, 1916, at 3-30 p.m. The Candidates met in Seagoe School at 3 0'clock, and walked from the School to the Church. The Rector acted as Bishop's Chaplain.

The Lesson was Ephesians vi: 10-18. Spaces were reserved in the body of the Church for

the Candidates. After the Laying on of Hands, the Confirmation Hymn 376 was sung, kneeling.

The Lord Bishop then addressed the Candidates from the Pulpit on Private Prayer, Public Worship. and Holy Communion. A very large congregation was present.

The following is a complete list of those who were Confirmed.

They were all from the Parish of Seagoe. The names are arranged in alphabetical order.

Arthur Allen, William Beckett, William Henry

Best, Joseph Bradshaw, Thomas Cartmill, Isaac

Clayton, Andrew Costello, Samuel Joseph Coulter,

William Cox, James Dawson England, William John

.Fleming, Robert John Lavery, Samuel Magee,

George McCann, Edmond M’Keown, William James

McLaughlin, William John McLaughlin, James

Edward McMurray, Charles McNally, James McNally,

John Patton, Thomas Pickering, William John

Rainey, Walter Reid, James Nelson Ruddell, John

Howard Stevenson, James Tate, William Watson,

William James Wilson. Charlotte Allen, Hannah Anderson,

Mary Jane Atkinson, Emma Best, Emma Best, Eva Best,

Charlotte Clayton, Freda Adele Collen, Hannah

Connolly, Agnes Costello, Anne Jane Costello, Mary

Crawford, Emily Cox, Jane Dawson, Elizabeth

Dickson, Margaret Ellis, Ellen Elliott, Ellen

Elizabeth England, Christina Flannigan, Jane

Forde, Ethel Forsythe, Eveline Fox, Eva Gates,

Mary Gates, Alice Goldsmith, Mary Elizabeth

Gordon, Ethel Hall, Ellen Elizabeth Hamill, Clara

Holland, Hannah Johnston, Olivia Magee, Mary

Kathleen Moore, Rosina McCann, Elizabeth

McClelland, Sarah M'Crory, Susan McDowell,

Elizabeth M'lvor, Priscilla M 'Kee, Anne M'Keown,

Anne Mcloughlin, Anne Jane McMurray, Ethel

Porter, Mary Elizabeth Porter, Letitia Quaile,

Amy Louisa Reid, Ethel Reid, Evelyn Reid

Margaret Maria Kinnear Reid, Sarah Reid, Hannah

Bella Robb, Martha Thompson, Rachel Anne

Turkington, Emma Webb, Emma Webb, Mary

Jane Webb, Miriam Whaley.

Boys 29, Girls 55. Total 84.

The Rev. W. J. Macaulay, D.D.

We regret very much to hear of the illness of the Rev. Dr. Macaulay, Minister of First Presbyterian

Church, Portadown. Dr. Macaulay has been so long a resident in the neighbourhood, and is so highly respected by all who know him, that his illness is greatly regretted. We trust that with God’s blessing he will soon be restored to his former health. He has the sincere sympathy of all our Seagoe people in his time of weakness.

C.M.S. Box Collections, 1915—16.

Carne.—Miss A. Robb, 4/1; Mrs. Coulter, 1/8;

Mrs. Caddell, 4/1; Mrs. George Simpson, 2/- : Mrs.

Andrew Costelloe, 1/6 ; Mrs. Murray, 3s : Mrs. Martin, 2/- ;

Mrs Robert Price, 1/6; Mrs. J. Lavery, 2/-.

Total,£1: Is 10d.

Drumgor.—Miss Lizzie Gracey, 11/- ; Mrs. W.

Gracey, l/- ; Miss Julia Hoy, 1/10; Mrs. Dickson,

2/8; Mr. John Lavery, 2/5 ; Mrs. Stevenson, 2/2 ;

Mrs. Quaile, 6d; Mrs. T. Martin, 5/- ; Mrs. M'Mu11an,

4/3 : Mrs. Hopps, l/- ; Mrs. S. Best, 2/2 ; Miss Madge

Gracey, 1/2.—

Total, £l 15s 2d.

Edenderry.—Mr. George Best, 1/- ; Mrs. Flannigan, 9d ;

Mrs. Ellis, 7d; Mrs. Collins, 6/6 ; Mrs. Hugh

Stoops, 2/6 ; Misses H. and I. Atkinson, 3/6 ; Mr.

William Tedford, 1/4; Mrs. Hadden, 10/- ; Mrs. C.

Magee, 8d; Miss I. Atkinson, 5/- ; Miss G. Atkinson,

5/6 ; Miss Agnes Johnston, 5/3 ; Thomas Metcalf,

1/11; Donald Stevenson, 6;1/2d ; Miss L. Stewart, 2d.

—Total, £2 5s 3d.

Hacknahay.—Miss Grace Best, 2/2} ; Mrs. Maginnis, 7/2, 1/2} ;

Miss Judith McNeill, 1/7, 1/2 ; Miss Calvert, £l 2s 9d ;

Miss C. M'Murray, 1/4 ; Mrs. Heathwood, 4/8 ; Abraham, 3/9 ;

Miss M. McCormick, 2/2 ; Mrs. N. England, 3/8 ; Miss S. A. Guy, 1/3 ;

Mrs. W. J. Calvert, 4/2} ; Miss M. England, 1/8} : Mrs. Quinn,

8/4}; Mrs. Bradshaw, 3/- ; Miss Divine, 2/- ;

Miss Rachel Black, 5/2 ; Miss Rodgers, 5d; Mrs. H. Neill,

5/5} ; Mrs. Eliz. Neill, 2/2* ; Mrs. Thos. Neill, 1/11 ;

Mrs. Newell. 1/10; Mrs. Duke, 4/1

Tota1,£4 11 Od.

Seagoe.—Seagoe Morning Sunday School, 6/5};

Seagoe Afternoon Sunday School, 5/11; Seagoe Girls'

Bible Class, 18/0 1/2 ; Mr. S. R. Chambers, 4/6* ; Miss

Lottie Chambers, 5/6; Mrs. Ephraim Collins, 2/6 ;

Mrs. Ramsey, 2/6 ; Mrs. S. Porter, I/- ; James McDonnell, 3/4 ;

Miss Emily Neill, 2/4 ; Mrs. Dickson, 1/-.

—Total. £2 13 1. 1/2

Grand total, £12 6s 4d, 1/2.

Received after accounts closed—Mrs. C, Twinem, 1/4

The Excursion.

“Carrickblacker " is a magical word in our Sunday

School life.

It summons up visions of Buttercups and Daisies, Swings, Ice-creams, Games, and all sorts

of good things and all these dreams were fulfilled on Thursday, June 29th, when our Sunday School children went once again, on the invitation of Colonel and Mrs. Blacker, to the big field where so many generations of Seagoe folk hove spent so many

We had to get a special permit from pleasant days. The authorities this year, as we are still under Martial Law; but never was day better enjoyed. The Tea and Buns were splendid, and the Stall under the Big Tree sold out early in the day. All the Schools were well represented, and the thanks of all are due to Mr, George Calvert and his band of helpers, who at the cost of so much time and trouble to themselves, ensured for all the children such a pleasant day.

From the Front.

Major T. J. Atkinson spent a few days at Eden Villa last month looking very fit and well.

With the Canadians.

[The following letter sent to the Rev. A. J. Murray,

Curate of Lurgan, by his brother Herbert Murray

(University Contingent Princess Patricia's Canadian

Light Infantry), of Ballinary, will give our readers

some idea of what our Seagoe lads are going through

for King and Country. How shall we that are at

home ever repay the debt we owe them ?

Belgium, June 6th, 1916.

I received your letter yesterday, and I hope you got

the P.C. I sent you telling you I was safe, as I am

sure you have seen in the papers The Big Battle of

Well, I was through the worst part of it, and have

come out without a scratch, except for little small

piece of shrapnel which got me under the arm, but

it's of no consequence, and I did not have to get it

dressed. We went up to the trenches on the night of

Wednesday, May 31st, and that night and the follow-

ing was quite quiet, and we thought we were in for a

nice quiet spell ; but The Fateful Friday Morning

2nd June, at 8-45, will ever be remembered as the

commencement of the third Battle of—, when the

Germans opened up their whole artillery, and rained

25,000 shells on our front. The bombardment

for seven hours without a stop, and our Batt.

came in for the worst part of the bombardment. At

2 O'clock in the afternoon Fritz came over and occupied

a small portion of our trench, as there was scarcely anyone

left of No. 1 Coy, to hold it. The bombardment still kept up, and at “stand to," just

as it was getting dark, the attack began—every rifle and machine gun, and Fritz's artillery and our artillery, and sky rockets and flares of all colours, were going for all they were worth,

and I have often heard the expression,

“Hell Let Loose,"

well, no other words of mine can better describe the

scene. The sky was illuminated for thirty miles

around ; anyhow that died down in about an hour or

so, but the artillery still kept pouring in the high

explosives and shrapnel, and about one o'clock in the

morning a second attack began, and as before, machine

guns and rifles opened up rapid fire. This time the

enemy sent over liquid Fire Shells,

which explode and send up a flame of fire. By this

time our Coy, had lost all our officers wounded, but

our Captain, although wounded, stayed with us until

he was carried out on the stretcher, and on the way

down the communication trench he got wounded

again, and our Coy was cut off from all communication,

and things were looking pretty bad for us. We (No. 2 Coy.)

were holding the most advanced position

of the whole Batt., and were only some 40 or 50 yards

away from the German lines, and it was only suicide

to hold out any longer, so just at daybreak another

attack began, but it was decided if they attempted

another attack we were to retire ; so we retired across

open country under machine gun fire and shells exploding all around us.

The field was nothing but one mass of shell holes

and we were sometimes in them and sometimes caught

in barbed wire ; how I escaped without getting hit is

a miracle. We took up positions again in the support

trench, and by this time reinforcements had arrived,

and started bombing and driving back the Huns out

of our trenches, which they only gained by battering

down our trenches with shells. Our artillery was

pretty active, and although our losses were not slight

the enemy suffered very heavily.

The battle continued all day Saturday, and on Saturday night

we took back nearly all the lost trenches. At daybreak Sun-

day morning we were relieved by another Batt. ; But

we lost a good many officers, and the Batt is badly cut up

Our Colonel (Col. Buller) way shot through the head

while leading and shouting to the men and throwing

bombs till he fell into the trench dead. Major Gault

was badly wounded, but I think will be alright. I

am feeling nothing the worse after my experience,

but would not want to go through the same again.

This is only a summary of what happened.

I could write you as much more, but it would not pass the censor.

I see we put one over them in the big naval battle too,

he will never get through at Verdun, and while there's a Canadian

alive he will never get through here. I believe they

are just trying different places to find a weak point in

the hope of breaking through. I attribute my safety

to one thing, and that is I was too close to the German lines

to get the heavy shells, as they were afraid of shelling

their own men, and they were trying to infiltrate us

from the left, but the nearest was about 10 yards

away. Of course, the shrapnel was falling all around

me, and my stuff was all buried.

The Misses Dawson.

The Misses Dawson have recently returned from

Chili in South America, and who in former days resided among us

at Seagoe Rectory, hope to revisit Seagoe this month.

They have kindly consented to address a Public Meeting in Seagoe Parochial School

on Thursday, July 13th, at 8 0'clock. They will give

an account of their work in Hospitals and Schools

amongst the native Indians of South America. Every-

one will be welcome. A collection will be made on

behalf of the South American Missionary Society.

Offertories for June 1916.

Sunday—Mornings, £18:9:10

Evenings, £2:6:3

Week Days £ 0:6:2

Included in above—

June 11th, for Board of Religious Education and Day

School, £5 4s 9d.

June 25th, for Bishop's Easter Offering Fund,

£7:5s :I0d.

PARISH REGISTER FOR

JUNE 1916.

Baptism.

The following were baptized in the Parish Church

on June 3rd, 1916.

Beckett—Harold, son of Robert James and Jessie

Fitzpatrick Beckett of Tamnifiglasson.

Sponsors—Robert James Beckett, Jessie Fitzpatrick

Beckett.

Anderson—Francis, son of Francis and Susan

Anderson of Drumgor.

Sponsors—Eliza Jane Beckett, Susan Anderson.

Gordon—Thomas John, son of John and Mary

Ellen Gordon of Ballinacor.

Sponsors—Marie Gordon, Mary Ellen Gordon.

Forde—Margaret, daughter of Corporal Thomas

Forde, Seaforth Highlanders, and Mary, his

wife, of Drumnagoon.

Sponsors—Sarah Jane Liggett, Mary Forde.

Livingston—James,

son of David and Martha

Livingston of Upper Seagoe.

Sponsors—Margaret Lamb, Martha Livingston.

Marriages,

McCann and Martin—On 30th May 1916, Wm.

James McCann of Portadown, to Eliza Jane

Martin of Edenderry.

Hyde and Gordon—On 7th June 1916, David

Hyde of Derrycarne, Drumcree, to Mary

Anne Gordon of Ballinacor.

Rowan and Stewart—On 28th June 1916, David

Samuel Rowan of Portadown, to Sophia

Stewart of Edenderry.

Burials.

Best—June 3rd, 1916, George Edward Best of

Edenderry, aged 31 years.

Moffatt—June 11th, 1916, Emma Moffatt of Drumnagoon,

aged 20 years.

Guy—June 17th, 1916, Caroline Guy of Derryvore,

aged 92 years

.

Gilpin—June 29th, 1916, Richard Gilpin of Carne,

aged 68 years.

DIED OF WOUNDS.

“For King and Country."

Matthews—June 21st, 1916, at Wimereux,

France, of Wounds, John Matthews, 26th

Batt. Australian Imperial Force, late of

Edenderry, aged 23 years.

Obituary.

Our list of Burials this month contains the names

of those who will be much missed amongst us.

George Best, after a long illness, has found rest. He

was much respected in Portadown and Edenderry for

his kind and gentle disposition.

Emma Moffatt

passed away at an early age after a long period of

weakness. Seldom have we seen so quiet and patient

a sufferer.

Mrs. Guy, of Derryvore, was one of our

oldest Parishioners, having reached the great age of

92. All her life was lived within sound of Seagoe

bell. She was baptized according to Seagoe Registers

on June 6th, 1824. She has been gathered home in

the fullness of years.

Richard Gilpin, of Carne, had many months of suffering.

His patience and quiet confidence in the God Whom he served brightened

the darkest hour.

The cruel hand of War has claimed another young life.

John Matthews, always so bright and happy among his

friends in Edenderry, has died of wounds in the

Australian Hospital at Wimereux, near Boulogne, France.

He and his brother Moses were walking a mile behind the firing line

when a shell exploded near them, wounding him severely.

Apparently, he was progressing favourably, when

Suddenly a haemorrhage occurred, and shortly afterwards.

He passed away. He gave his life that we might live,

a greater love hath no man than this.

Colonel S, W, Blacker.

We offer our sincere congratulation to Colonel

Blacker, of the “Ninth," on the honour which has

been conferred on him by the General Officer Commanding the British Army in France,

Sir Douglas Haig. Colonel Blacker's name appears in the list issued by the General of those whom he recommends to the King " for gallant and distinguished conduct on the field."

ITEMS.

Seagoe Parish has made a new record. A parishioner has killed no less than 486 Queen Wasps this

spring.

The Choir had an enjoyable excursion by brake to

Hillsborough, via Dromore, on Saturday, June 24th.

We thank Miss Macoun of Parkmount, for her kind

gift of a set of Scripture Pictures to Drumgor Sunday School.

The parents of those who have recently been confirmed might

wish to possess an interesting record of children's confirmation

in a photograph taken at the time of Confirmation.

The girls should be graphed in their Confirmation cap and dress, and

with Bible and Church Service Book in their hand. Where more than

one member of the same family has been confirmed they should be

photographed together.

Mr Moffett, of Edenderry, has kindly consented to make a reduction

on the usual cost in the case of those from this Parish who desire to be

photographed.

On Sunday, July 9th, the usual collections for our Orphan Societies will

be made. At Morning Prayer for the Protestant Orphan Society,

and at Evening Prayer for the Enniskillen Fund.

1. Seagoe Day School has adjourned for the summer vacation.

Work will be resumed (D.V.) on Monday, August 14th.