July 1924

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

JULY, 1924.

ORGANIST OF SEAGOE 1874-1924.

PHOTO]

[MOFFETT

MR. THOMAS HENRY WILSON.

(Block kindly lent by permission of The Portadown News."

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

The Wilson Jubilee.

Seagoe Parish duly celebrated the 50th anniversary

of Mr. T. H. Wilson's appointment as Organist of

Seagoe on Monday, June 16th. A large gathering of

the Parishioners assembled in the Parochial Schools

where tea was provided. The tables filled two of

the rooms, and each table was filled with guests.

We have seldom seen the old Schoolrooms look so

nice as they did with the snow white table cloths

and the pretty china and rich tea cakes. The grace

was sung, and during tea everyone seemed to be

in a reminiscent mood. Old Seagoe loomed largely

in the conversation. We were very glad to have

Mr. and Mrs. Sloan present. They are really a bit

of Seagoe. Miss Christine Stewart, granddaughter

of Archdeacon Saurin, was also present, and

brought back the thoughts of many to the long

rectorship of Archdeacon Saurin. After tea the

Rector took the chair, and in an introductory speech

said that was a very unique anniversary in the

history of the Parish It was remarkable the

number of people who had been connected with Seagoe

Parish for 50 years, and some of them for a longer

period. Archdeacon Saurin was Rector of Seagoe

for 53 years. He came to the Parish in 1826 and

remained until 1879. His secretary and treasurer,

Mr. James Atkinson, who was there for 50 years,

passed to his reward some ten years ago. They had

•with them that night Mr. Dynes Atkinson, who had

been sexton of the Church for over 50 years, and

although retired from the active duties of the Parish,

was still in a way connected with it. After 50 years'

service their young friend, Mr. Thomas Henry

Wilson, whom they had met to honour that evening.

was just as fresh as ever. It spoke well for Seagoe

that so many of those connected with it had been

able to continue in office for 50 years. They were

glad to have with them that night a representative

of the old regime-—Miss Christine Stewart, a

granddaughter of Archdeacon Saurin. (Applause.) That

supplied a link with the past that he thought was

extremely interesting. The feeling of the Parishioners

was that the completion of 50 years' service as

Organist by Mr Thomas H Wilson should not be

allowed to pass without marking it in some special

way. Mr. Wilson was Rector's Churchwarden this

year, and that was another honour that had been

conferred upon him. (Applause.) He (Canon

Archer) had had experience of organists in many

parishes, but he did not think he ever met an organist

who got on so well with his choir and clergy

and with the parishioners in general as Mr. Wilson

had done. During his 50 years' service there had

been no friction between them. That was a splendid

record. It showed that Mr. Wilson must have no

corners about him, that he had an agreeable dis-

position, and that he wielded the baton in a very

genial way. He (Canon Archer) had heard people

say that when they attended Seagoe Church they

noticed how bright and hearty the music was, and

he noticed that the, first service he attended. One

of the pleasant things about that gathering was that

they were not parting with their old friend ; he

heard someone express the. hope that night that he

might be playing for another 50 years. (Laughter.)

The fifty years that had passed had left few traces

on him, and it was a pleasant thing to feel that he

was with them still. The Parishioners had risen

to the occasion, and he (Canon Archer) was glad to

see that they had attended that evening in such

large numbers to mark their appreciation of Mr

Wilson's services. (Applause. )

Mr. Moses Gilpin, secretary to the Select Vestry,

Mr. T. J. Montgomery spoke as follows when having read the address,

presenting the Clock to Mr. Wilson :—

I must thank the Committee very much indeed for

inviting me to take part in this social meeting to

do honour to whom honour is due. Well, I suppose

some may think me out of date, but I have always

thought, and still think, if we have anything to give

or any commendation to confer to give it to one who

has worthily earned it, and will still be amongst

us. I can say for Mr. Wilson that he has worthily

filled his office of Organist of our dear Church with

grace and ability in performing the praise service

which I consider is conducted second to none under

his talented performance at the organ. He has al-

ways been able to gather round him some of the

best voices you would hear in any place of worship,

which adds so much to the services we attend

every Sunday.

When this Presentation was first moved it was

welcomed enthusiastically by the Parish, and so

many pleasant faces here tonight sees the happy

consummation of their effort.

I remember Mr. Wilson when he was sitting in the

Choir on the Gallery enclosed with the red screen,

and Mrs. Saurin at the harmonium. Since that time

he has consistently joined in the praise of our

Church. We are proud to know that his family is

travelling in his footsteps, and is a credit to Mr

and Mrs. Wilson and to our Parish.

I now on behalf of the Parish ask you to accept

this Clock, and we hope and pray that she may tell

you many happy happy hours and years to be with

us in the praise and worship of our loved Church.

Mr. Geo. Wilson read his father's reply, which

appears with the address in another column.

Rev. W. T. Wilson said Mr. T. H. Wilson had a

remarkable record of faithful service. To spend 50

years in leading a choir in the worship of God was

a splendid thing. In his long and faithful service

Mr. Wilson had set them all a very good example.

Mr. A. G. Sloan congratulated Mr. Wilson on

having completed 50 years' service as Organist. In his

early years he (Mr. Sloan) attended the services in

the Old Parish Church. The impressions he formed

then had never been forgotten, nor had his attachment

to Seagoe in any way diminished. One of the

greatest frights he ever got in his life was given to

him by the sexton, Mr. Dynes Atkinson, who during

one of the services placed a plate in his pew and

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

told him he was to take up the collection. (Laughter.)

He was so frightened that he wished the

ground had opened and swallowed him. (Laughter.)

However, he got through it, and was afterwards told

that he had done it all right. His attachment to

Seagoe was so strong that when he left this mortal

sphere he intended to come over to Seagoe. Mrs.

Sloan was a descendant of a former Rector, and that

had given him a still greater interest in Seagoe. He

mentioned some of the principal office bearers

connected with the Church at the time to which he

referred, and said he was glad tc find that their

.children and grandchildren were carrying on the

work that they did.

Captain Corrin, Organist of Portadown Parish

Church, and Mr. James Twinem also spoke in

appreciative terms of Mr. Wilson's services.

During the evening an interesting musical

programme was contributed by Mr. Pallett's Orchestra,

Miss Montgomery, Miss Kirby, Mr. H. E. Wood, Mr.

S. Wright and Mr. D. W. Murray.

The Address and Reply.

The following are the Address and Reply

Address and Presentation

to Mr. Thomas Henry Wilson,

On the occasion of the completion of Fifty Years of

Service as Organist of Seagoe Parish Church.

DEAR MR. Parishioners of Seagoe

desire to mark in a special way the completion by

you of fifty years of service as Organist of Seagoe

Parish Church.

You were appointed to this responsible post in

your early years when the late Archdeacon Saurin

was Rector of Seagoe, and with unfailing regularity

and conspicuous faithfulness you still carry out the

responsible duties then entrusted to you.

During all these years you have been on terms

of friendship with each successive generation of

choir-members, and we recognise that much of the

brightness of our Services has been due to the good

feeling which has always existed between you and

the choir.

We ask your acceptance of the accompanying

Timepiece as a token of our gratitude and esteem

Tor your long and faithful service, and we trust

that in the days to come the Divine Blessing may

rest abundantly on you and Mrs Wilson and the

members of your family, and that you may be long

spared to assist us in the Worship of the Sanctuary,

Signed on behalf of the; Parishioners,

JAMES E. ARCHER, Rector.

JOHN E. LAVERY, Churchwarden.

MOSES GILPIN, Sec. to Vestry.

REPLY.

MY DEAR FRIENDS, I find it difficult to express

my feelings of gratitude to all of you for the, very

lend words you have spoken about me, and for the

beautiful gift you have presented to me and Mrs

Wilson.

During my fifty years as Organist of Seagoe

have met with nothing but kindness. When I was

appointed to that post I was only fourteen years of

age, but' even then, and all the time since then,

have been treated with the utmost consideration and

kindness by the Clergy, the Select Vestry, the Choir

and the Parishioners

I understand the responsibility of my work in

leading the praises of God's people in the House or

Prayer, and I thank God that He has spared me so

long to do His work.

My relations with the choir have always been of

the happiest kind, and they have made my work a

pleasure rather than a toil. On behalf of Mrs. Wilson

and the members of my family I thank you all from

my very heart. The chimes of this beautiful gift

will always remind me of the happy years 1 have

spent in the Parish of Seagoe.

I remain,

Your very faithful friend,

THOMAS HENRY WILSON.

A Request.

Will all those Parishioners who took the Free Will

Weekly Offering Envelopes at the beginning of this

year, and who have not yet given in their Envelopes,

please do so without delay up to the end of June A

complete record of the amount subscribed through

the Envelopes up to June 30th is being made out and

the number of each subscriber, with the amount

contributed during the six months, will be placed in

the Church Porch. We would be obliged also if each

subscriber would write his or her name on one or

the Envelopes.

If there is any error in the list

please communicate without delay to Mr James

Twinem, Lylo.

At Warrenpoint,

The Sunday Schools had their annual outing at

Warrenpoint on Thursday, June, 9th. We met at the

Parish Church at 8 a.m. for a short service. The

Hymn " God is always near me " was nicely sung.

A start was soon made for the Station, and as the

long line of brightly arrayed children wended their

way down the hill the sun shone out and everything

looked beautiful. As we neared the Station Mr-

Joseph Twinem, U.S.A., snapped the crowd with his

large Kodak, and has got a good print of it. The

train left at 9.30. All the carriages were crowded-

Robert Calleson was our Guard, and got us quickly

and safely down to the Point. Cakes and tea in

plenty awaited us at the Town Hall, and the

Excursionists were quickly scattered all over the

neighbourhood. The tide was in and there was a splendid

breeze. A few had a dip in the sea. Some went by

boat to Rostrevor. Many climbed to the Big Stone.

A few showers fell but did no harm. The mountains

looked lovely. The shopkeepers did a roaring trade,

Penny walking sticks were much in evidence: as

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

well as buckets and spades. Tea was ready at 4.30,

and after tea a pleasant time was spent along the

front. The return train left at 7.30, and before long

were back again in Old Seagoe.

S. A. M. S.

Box Collections—Mrs. M'Douga11, 6s ; Miss Elizabeth

Reid, 10s ; Miss Sarah Montgomery, 6s ; Miss Calvert,

9s 8d ; Mrs. Lewie, 7s 3d ; Mrs. Walker, 4s ; Miss

Agnes Guy, 4s ld ; Miss Sarah Price, 3s

Card Collection—-Miss I. Atkinson, £6 17s 6d. Hacknahay

Offertory, 7s.—Tota1, 15s ld.

Anniversary Service.

An Anniversary Service will (D. V.) be held in

Seagoe Parish Church on Sunday, July 6th, at 7

p.m. Places will be reserved for the Lodges. The

Rev W. D. Ewart, M.A., Rector of Milltown, County

Armagh, will preach, and the Offerings will be in

aid of the Lord Enniskillen Memorial Orphan Fund.

Mothers' Union,

A social meeting of 'the Mothers' Union was held

in Edenderry Parochial Hall on Thursday, June 12th,

to bid farewell to two of the members, Mrs Johnston

and Mrs. Patton, who are leaving shortly for the

States. Tea was provided at separate tables. The

Rector presided and expressed his sense of the loss

the Parish was sustaining in the departure of two

families long connected with Seagoe. Brooches were

presented to the two members by Miss G. Atkinson

on behalf of the Branch. Mrs. Donaldson, of Comber,

and formerly of Seagoe Parish, who is now

Diocesan Treasurer of the Mothers' Union, gave a

helpful and interesting address.

New Assistant Teacher.

The Rector has appointed Mr. Robert G. Alcorn

as Assistant Teacher in Seagoe School in succession

to Mr. W. E. Dickson. Mr. Alcorn was educated at

Ballymena Model School, and has for some time

acted as Assistant Teacher in Malone Training

School, Belfast. He comes to us with the highest

recommendations.

Our New Curate.

Mr. R W. Johnston, L.Th., will (D.v.) be ordained

for the second Curacy of Seagoe in Belfast Cathedral

on Sunday, July 6th, at Morning Prayer. We

ask the prayers of the people on his behalf. Mr.

Johnston will enter upon his duties in the Parish

immediately after his Ordination. His temporary

address will be 21 Edward Street, Portadown. The

Rev. W. T. Wilson takes his holiday in July.

ITEMS,

A Wild White Pullet made Its nest on the top of

the thatched roof of Mr. Harry Collins' house at

Seagoe and brought out a brood of ten fine chickens

which came toddling down the thatch as soon as

they learned how to walk.

William Johnston, of Seagoe School, won a Special

Certificate (Green) for obtaining full marks in

the Examination in Religious Knowledge held recently in Seagoe N.S.

Presentation,

Mr. W. E. Dickson, Principal of the Maze N.s., was

presented with a silver mounted walking stick by

the members of the Choir at a Social held in Seagoe

School on Thursday, June 26th, on the occasion of

his leaving Seagoe for his new post.

Visitors.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Twinem with his son and

daughter have arrived in Seagoe from Brooklyn,

U.S.A. Mr. Twinem left Seagoe some 23 years ago

and has built up a fine business in the States. We

welcome him back again to the old Parish.

Parish Register for June,

Baptisms.

The- following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish

Church on June 7th, 1924 :

Watson—Victor, son of William Joseph and Anne Watson, of Killicomaine.

Sponsors—William Joseph Watson, Anne Watson.

.HalI—Doris, daughter of William John and Letitia Sophia Hall, of Lower Seagoe.

Sponsors—William John Hall and Letitia Sophia Hall.

Neill—Henry Rowland, son of Thomas and Isabella Neill, of Lower Seagoe.

Sponsors—Thomas Neil], Isabella Neill,

Marriage.

Baxter and Parkes—June 25th, 1924, John Baxter, of Turmoyra, old Parish of Seagoe,

to Margaret Parkes, of Lurgan, Parish of Shankill.

Burials,

Simpson—June 1st, Myrtle Elizabeth Simpson, of Bocombra, aged 4 months.

Hughes—June 15th, Eliza Hughes, of Tarsan, aged 60

Hickland—June 17th, John Hickland, of Carne, aged 81.

M'Crory—June 19th, Thomas M'Crory, of Edenderry, aged 75.

Whiteside—June 20th, Edith Whiteside, of Lower Seagoe, aged 36.

Rainey—June 21, David Rainey, of Edenderry, aged 19.

Ruddell—June 25th, Irene Gladys Ruddell, of Lisniskey, aged 7.

Malcolmson—June '26th, Emma Jane Malcolmson, of Edenderry, aged 40.

Gracey—June 26th, Harrison Gracey, of Drumgor, aged 71.

Craig—June 17th, Joseph Craig, of Breagh.

Sympathy.

The long list of Burials noted in this issue means

that many in the Parish have been plunged into

grief during the past month. Our sympathy goes

out to all who mourn the loss of a dear one from

the family circle. Jesus said " I am the Resurrection and the Life," and this thought will comfort

sorrowing hearts.