July 1929

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

JULY 1929

RECTOR: Rev. Canon Archer, B.D., The Rectory, Seagoe, Portadown.

LAY READER (Bishop's Licence): Mr. Robt. Gracey, 23 Railway Street, Portadown.

CHURCHWARDENS:

Rector's—George Henry Wilson.

People's—John Harrison Twinem.

Memorial Services

On Sunday, June 30th, Special Services will be held both morning and evening in remembrance of those from Seagoe Parish who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War. The names of those who fell will be read during the Service. We invite the ex-service men who attend the services to wear their medals. Gifts of flowers from the relatives of those who fell may be laid at the base of the Memorial Pillars at the Church gate.

Eleven years have elapsed since the signing of the Armistice, and thirteen years since the fatal 1st July, 1916, but the lapse of years only deepens our regard for the memory of those who died that we might live in freedom and safety. A new generation is rising up in our midst and we must not let them forget the names and deeds of the heroes of the Great War. The collection at the Services will be on behalf of the Co. Armagh Protestant Orphan Society. The C.L.B. witl attend the Service on Parade.

Anniversary Service.

On Sunday, July 7th, at 7 p.m., an Anniversary Service will be held in Seagoe Parish Church. The preacher will be the Rev. Professor Moeran, M.A., now Rector of St. Mark's, Armagh, and formerly Rector of St. Mark's, Portadown. Mr. Moeran is occupying a responsible position in Dublin University as Professor of Pastoral Theology. The collection will be given to the Lord Enniskillen Orphan Fund.

Royal Thanksgiving Service.

On Sunday morning, July 7th, a special Service of Thanksgiving for the King's recovery will be held at the Parish Church. The collection at this Service will be given to help the effort now being made by the lads of Seagoe C.L.B. to make happier the lot of the patients in the surgical wards of Lurgan Infirmary. Anything that will break the monotony in the Hospital wards and help the poor sick ones forget their sickness should be encouraged, and our C.L.B. lads with this object in view are putting the Hospital wireless set into better working order. Please encourage them by your gifts and thus fitly commemorate our national thanksgiving for the King's recovery.

Sunday School Excursion

Change of Date.

The excursion to Newcastle will take place on Thursday, July 18th, instead of on July 25th, as had been hitherto arranged. The change of date will bring the excursion within the July holidays, and so a much larger number of our people can be with us. The prices of the tickets have been arranged as follows:—

Sunday School children, whose names are on the Rolls of Seagoe Parish Sunday Schools

Eight years old and under 6d

Eight to twelve 9d

Twelve to fourteen 1/-

Over fourteen 1/3

Girls' Bible Class and Teachers 1/6

The above prices Include two refreshments.

Men's Bible Class 1/6

Outsiders 3/-

The tickets for the members of the Men's Bible Class and the outsiders do not include re-freshment, but purchasers of these tickets can obtain refreshment tickets at 1/- for two meals if they buy their tickets at least two days before the excursion. The Tamnificarbet and Ballyhannon Bands will accompany the excursion. The train to Newcastle will leave Portadown station for Newcastle at 8:50 a.m. The return train will leave Newcastle at 7:25 p.m. The Sunday Schools from the various districts of the Parish will assemble at the Parish Church for a short Service at 8 a.m., and will then march in procession to the station with the bands. All those who had already received railway tickets to sell for July 25th should return them without delay to Mr. M'Clements, Bridge St., Edenderry, who will supply them with tickets for the new date, July 18th.

Seagoe Mothers' Union

The Mothers' Union will hold their next meeting on Tuesday, July 9th, at Seagoe Rectory, on the invitation of the Rector. Tea will be ready at Seagoe School at 7:30, and the members will spend the rest of the evening in the Rectory grounds. The meeting last month was held on Tuesday, June 11th, at Lylo House, on the kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. James Twinem. The members were most hospitably entertained and spent a most enjoyable afternoon. The air of Lylo is very bracing, and the weather was perfect, so the mothers had a great time. Games of all kinds, including skipping, were much enjoyed and at a later hour the gramophone discoursed sweet music. Before the company separated a hearty vote of thanks to Mr., Mrs. and Miss Twinem was proposed by the Rector and seconded by Mr. R. Gracey and passed with acclamation. Mr. and Mrs. Twinem suitably replied, expressing the pleasure it gave them in entertaining the Mothers' Union.

C.L.B.

Seagoe C.L.B. has had a busy month. There were two Church Parades. On Sunday morning, June 23rd, the company attended Morning Prayer. They were played to the Church by St. Mark's Boys' Brigade Band. This is a splendid Brass Band, and it was a great encouragement to our Seagoe Lads to have it with them on their Church Parade. A sermon on "The Secret of Success" was preached by the Rev. H. Lamb, M.A., Curate of St. Mark's Church. The collection was on behalf of the C.L.B. camp fund.

Seagoe in Camp.

The C.L.B. will go into camp at Southport, Lancashire, on Thursday, July 11th, and will return from camp on Saturday, July 20th. Southport is famous for its splendid sands and sea breezes. Our lads will have a lovely time. Captain Gracey will be in charge of the Company. The C.L.B. Junior Training Corps is getting into shape, and some of them have already got their uni-form, which is very smart. Forty-eight boys have joined the Training Corps and more are coming along. It is a great chance for the boys.

Seagoe P.E. School.

The School breaks up for its summer vacation on Friday, July 5th, and will reassemble on Wednesday, August 14th. The School has had a most successful session. Mr. Scott, the Principal has held an examination in the work done, and the children have been awarded prizes.

Jumble Sale.

The Jumble Sale on behalf of the upkeep and renovation of our Parochial School was held on Friday, June 21st, at 7:30 p.m., in the Parochial Hall. It proved a great success. A large band of helpers was in attendance and kind friends of the old School had sent a large number of bundles and gifts for the sale. The stalls vied with each other to see which would bring in most. After an hour from the time of opening most of the goods had been bought up, and when the receipts were totalled up they amounted to £14. Collecting cards in connection with the sale have brought in up to the present £12 5s 6d. The total receipts will run up to about £26. We heartily thank all those who so kindly helped to make the sale a great success. Everybody worked with a good will.

The Revised Prayer Book.

Copies of the new Prayer Book and Church Hymnal are now on sale everywhere. Every member of the Church should obtain one without delay. The book is clearly printed and contains 200 more pages than the old book. The General Synod was engaged in the Revision of the Prayer Book for more than ten years, and many notable improvements have been made in it.

A Distinguished Visitor.

Mr. William James Bickett, Head of the Education Department of the State of New Jersey, U.S.A., is coming on a visit to Seagoe Parish. Mr. Bickett was born in Drumnagoon. His father was Mr. James Bickett, who died three months ago in the States. His mother's maiden name was Ellen Gracey, of Tamnifiglasson. His aunt is Mrs. Sarah Dynes, of Moss Lane. Mr. Bickett was only three years old when his father emigrated to America and he has never been home since then. Mr. Bickett hopes to arrive in Seagoe on July 5th. He has shown a practical interest in Seagoe School and in the Parish generally. We welcome him back to the old Parish and congratulate him on his successful career.

Choir Excursion

Seagoe Choir had a splendid day's outing on Saturday, June 15th. They left Seagoe by chara-banc at 8:30 a.m. for Newcastle, Co. Down. The day, though somewhat cold, was fine and bracing. A substantial repast awaited the hungry excursionists on their arrival at Newcastle. During the day the various view points were visited, and all arrived home at a late hour after a most enjoyable day.

Religious Knowledge

The Rev. R. H. Egar, M.A., Inspector in Knowledge, held his annual inspection in Seagoe

P.E. School on Monday, June 10th. He has issued the following report:—"Three divisions were examined. Junior Division:-- Repetition was clearly recited, and the Bible stories thoroughly known. Middle and Senior Divisions:—Repetition was clearly recited; Collects were well known.

In the Bible course, the answering was quite good. Both teachers and pupils are interested in the subject."

Bible Society

Mrs. Martin, of Balteagh, makes an annual effort on behalf of the Hibernian Bible Society and has sent in £2 18s 0d to the Society this year. We congratulate Mrs. Martin on this good work.

Seagoe in Canada

The Rector has received the following letter from the Council for Social Service in Canada:— 10th June, 1929.

The Rev. Canon J. E. Archer,

The Rectory, Portadown, Co. Armagh.

Dear Sir,—Your letter of May 21st to Canon Vernon has been received, and we arranged with our worker Miss E. Jay, to visit the family you mentioned. Miss Jay reports that the family seems quite comfortable and at present are all well. Canon Sawyers, Rector of St. Matthew's Church, Toronto, has visited them several times, and they were very glad to have Miss Jay call on them.—Very sincerely yours,

(Mrs.) M. CONSTANCE PAYNE,

Welcome and Welfare Department

New Flag

A splendid new "Union Jack" has been bought by the Select Vestry, and it will be flown from the Church Tower this July. It was supplied by Mr. John H. Twinem, of High St., Portadown. It is 3? yards by 2 yards in size.

Parish Register for June.

Baptism

M'Loughlin—June 1st, 1929, Cecil Ronald, son of Robert John and Margaret M'Loughlin, of Drumnagoon. Sponsors---Adelaide Gilpin, Margaret Elizabeth M'Loughlin.

Burial

Ruddell—June 3rd. 1929, Mary Jane Ruddell, of Kernan, aged 44 years. Interred at Dromore.

Death of Mrs, Ruddell

It is our sad duty to record this month the death Mrs. Mary Jane Ruddell, of Kernan. She had been in failing health for some time but almost to the last hopes were entertained for her recovery. Our deepest sympathy goes out to her husband and young family and also to her mother and other

relatives in Dromore, who mourn the loss of one who was very dear to them. Mrs. Ruddell, as wife

and mother was a bright example of Christian living. She followed a high ideal in all that she did.

To her the words of Solomon in Proverbs xxxi., 27-28 may be fitly applied—"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." Mrs. Ruddell was interred at Dromore. The first part of the Burial Office was said in the Cathedral. Many attended from Seagoe Parish. The service in the Cathedral and at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. Canon Archer, assisted by Mr. Robert Gracey, Lay-Reader. The Rev. Walter Good, M.A., Rector of Kilmore, was also present.

The Annual Report

The Annual Report is in the hands of the printer and will shortly be in the hands of the Parishioners. Every subscriber to our Parochial Funds is entitled to receive a copy.

Presentation

Mr. James Porter, of Kernan, has sailed for Melbourne, Australia. He was a member of Seagoe Choir and was very popular among all who knew him. Before leaving he was presented by the members of the Choir with a handsome leather dressing-case at a social held in Seagoe School. The Rector made the presentation, and Mr. Geo. Wilson, Churchwarden, and Mr. R. Gracey spoke in terms of high commendation of Mr. James Porter. Mr. Porter suitably replied. A representative of the Church Army met Mr. Porter on his arrival in London and saw him on board the liner at Tilbury the next day. Before leaving Seagoe, Mr. Porter kindly presented the Rector with a richly carved and inlaid Indian ebony walking-stick, which had belonged to his grandfather, the late Mr. Graham, of the Wood, Kernan.

Rey. T. H. Scanlon, M.A.

Those who remember Mr. Scanlon as Curate in Seagoe during the War year, will be glad to hear that he has been promoted to an important Parish in the Diocese of Meath.

Missionary Exhibition

The Three days Missionary Exhibition held in St. Mark's Parochial Hall, Carleton St., on Monday, June 24th, and two following days was very successful and largely attended. Mr. R. Gracey and five other stewards represented Seagoe Parish, and their kind efforts were much appreciated. We hope the Exhibition will stir up a deeper Missionary spirit in Seagoe.

Old Seagoe Notes.

The Archdeacon and the Burned Stick,--- Archdeacon Saurin, during his tenure of the Parish of Seagoe was regarded as a man of great influence. He was the son of a Bishop, the nephew of an Attorney-General and the brother of an Admiral. He was believed to possess so much influ-ence with the Government that he could accomplish almost anything. It is related of him that he was able to get sentences of imprisonment reduced and fines remitted. So whenever any of the parish-ioners were in trouble they went to the 'Deacon' (as he was affectionately called) and put their case before him, and they generally found that he was able to get them substantial help. So frequently was his help sought so often did his intervention prove successful that a saying got out among the people of Seagoe that if the Deacon burnt the end of a stick and signed his name with it to a peti-tion, he could save a man from the gallows.

Fifty Years of Seagoe, 1879-1929.—On July 5th, 1929, a period of fifty years will have elapsed since the death of Archdeacon Saurin, and the appointment as Rector of his successor, Dean Daw-son. Archdeacon Saurin died on May 11th, 1879, and Dean Dawson was appointed Rector on 7th July, 1879. Twenty-six of those years cover the period of Dean Dawson's incumbency. He resigned the Parish on October 1st, 1905, and died just a fortnight later at his residence in Belfast. The present Rector was appointed to the vacant Parish on October 24th, 1905. Many changes have taken place in the Parish during this half century. Perhaps the most important was the Restoration of the Parish Church under the skilful guidance of Mr. (afterwards Sir) Thomas Drew, the President of the Irish Society of Architects. This Restoration took place in the year 1890, when Dean Dawson had been eleven years Rector of the Parish.

Major Stewart Blacker and Old Seagoe Graveyard in 1848. —The following touching lines on the Blacker vault in Old Seagoe graveyard were written by Major Stewart Blacker, of Carrick Blacker, and published in the Dublin University Magazine for May, 1848:—

REQUIEM.

Mid sacred walls,

Their Father's care,

Where oft they knelt

In praise and prayer;

With kindred dust, their dust is laid,

Oh, Saviour! be their souls' sure aid,

Oh, Saviour! be their souls' sure aid.

Take down the sword

Ne'er known to yield;

Take down their old

Time-honoured shield;

And at the cross-foot cast them down.

Meet place for mortal worm's renown,

Meet place for mortal worm's renown.

Grave! for a while

Thy charge receive;

Earth-clinging mourners,

Cease to grieve.

Firm as a rock the Christian's trust,

Bright beams the wakening of the Just!

Bright beams the wakening of the Just!

STEWART BLACKER

ITEMS

Prizes have been awarded to John Fiddes and Doris Livingstone, pupils in Seagoe P.E. School, for good answering in Scripture and Formularies at the Rector's Wednesday morning class.

A great array of cement sewage pipes are spread out on the field at Seagoe Turns. They have been made on the spot by the agents of Trocoll, Limited, a London firm.

SERVICES

THE PARISH CHURCH.

HOLY COMMUNION—1st Sunday after Morning Praver; 3rd Sunday at 8 a.m. and on the Chief Festivals.

HOLY BAPTISM—1st Saturday of Month at 3 p.m., and during any Service in the Parish Church if notice be given; Two Sponsors at least are required, and they must be Confirmed mem-bers of theChurch. Churchings are held at each Baptism. Mothers are expected to bring a thank-

offering. (See Book of Common Prayer.)

MORNING PRAYER—Sundays and Chief Festivals 8 p.m. during Advent and Lent

EVENING PRAYER—Sundays 7 p.m.

DISTRICT SERVICES;

Hacknahay—Last Sunday of Month at 3:30 p.m.

Drumgor—Second Sunday of Month at 4 p.m.

Edenderry—Wednesdays at 8 p.m.

CLASSES, &c

ADULT CLASSES--Sundays at 10 a.m.

For Men—Edenderry. For Women—Seagoe School.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS—10 a.m. Edenderry Parochial Hall and Seagoe School. 3 p.m. Seagoe, Edenderry Parochial Hall, Levaghery, Hacknahay, Carne, Drumgor.

Mothers' Union—2nd Tuesday of each month.

DAY SCHOOL—Seagoe, 9:30 a.m. Principal—Mr. R. Scott.

MARRIAGES must he performed between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Licenses are issued by Rev. Canon Hannon, Rectory, Lurgan. Due notice (48 hours) must be given to the Rector of intended weddings. FEES—By License—Labourers 5/-, Tradesmen 10/-, Merchants and Farmers 15/-, Professional £1. By Banns 5/-. FUNERALS will be attended by the Clergy if proper notice be given. SICK CASES should be notified to the Clergy without delay. FEES FOR CERTIFI-CATES: BAPTISM, 3/7; Children (Factory), 1/- and 2/- (non-residents); MARRIAGE, 3/7. An extra search fee is chargeable in certain cases. It will be a help to the Clergy if they are notified of the arrival of new Church families in the Parish.

A copy of the Magazine will be sent post free to any subscriber for 3s per annum.