June 1908

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

JUNE 1908

Clergy:

Rev. James E. Archer, B D. , Rector, the Rectory, Seagoe.

Rev. Walter R. Crichton, B.A., Curate, Seagoe Villa.

N.B.—It is most important that in all cases of illness notice should be given to the Clergy of the Parish without delay.

Churchwardens:

Mr. J. H. Stevenson, Killicomaine, Rector's Churchwarden

Mr. Thomas Martin, Kilvergan, People's Churchwarden.

Select Vestry:

ATKINSON, MR. W. R.

ATKINSON, MR. T.

CALVERT, MR. G.

COSTELLO, MR. Atkinson

GRACEY MR. J. G.

IRWIN, MR. W.

MAGINNIS, MR. T. E.

MONRO, MR. Joseph

MONTGOMERY, MR. J.

MONTGOMERY, MR. T. J.

ROCK, MR. David

STOOPS, MR. Hugh

ATKINSON, MR. W. R., Secretary and Treasurer

THE EXCURSION.

The Sunday School Excursion will take place (D.V. ) on Tuesday, June 2nd, to Warrenpoint. The special train will leave Portadown station at 9:15 a.m., and the Return train will leave Warrenpoint at 6:45. No Sunday School Tickets will be issued on the morning of the Excursion, but the Red Voucher Tickets will be exchanged for the Railway Ticket at the Church Door on the morning of the Excursion. The Children will meet at Seagoe Church at 8 a.m., when a short Service will be held and then all will march in procession to the station headed by the Band, and with banners flying. The children must keep in the line of procession and march with their own Sunday School. The Superintendents are asked to take care that these rules are carefully observed. The Red Voucher Tickets will be on sale at Seagoe School and Edenderry Hall, on Saturday, May 30th at 3:30, and can also be had in the Sunday Schools on Sunday, May 31st. The Tickets for outsiders,

price 1/6, can now be purchased through the town and will also be on sale on the morning of the

Excursion.

Warrenpoint has been greatly improved since our last visit. A fine New Park and Pavilion have been opened, also new and safe Swimming Baths on the Sea front. Motor Cars run to Rostrevor, and the steamer sails to Carlingford and Greenore. At this time of the year the sea and mountains look splendid, and with our usual "Seagoe weather" the Excursion ought to be most enjoyable. Refreshments—a very important matter—will be served in the Town Hall at 11:30 and

4:30. A Photographer from Messrs. Moffett's will accompany the excursion and will take special photographs of the Party. If any smaller groups wish to get “snapshotted” or members of families this can also be done at a reasonable charge. We hope that parents will endeavor to come with their children. The “wee ones” enjoy everything much better when father and mother are with them.

OFFERTORIES FOR MAY

Four Sundays

“What hast thou that thou didst not receive?”

Morning Evening

£. s. d. £. s. d.

May 3^rd ---2^nd Sun after Easter 1 1 9 0 9 10

“ 10^th ---3^rd “ “ “ 1 0 11 1 12 5

“ 17^th ---4^th “ “ “ 1 0 6 0 9 3

“ 24^th ---5^th “ “ “ 1 0 9 0 10 10

Other services ________ 0 6 8

Total £4 3 11 £3 9 0

* * *

BAPTISMS

“Jesus called a little child unto him.”

May 2 —Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of James Henry and Sarah Magee.

“ “—Singleton Cranston, son of William John and Lucy M'Donald.

“ “—William John Dilworth, son of William Joseph and Annie Watson.

“ 17—Elizabeth, daughter of William Robert and Mary Ann Coulter.

“ 27—Ethel Florence, daughter of William and Hannah Malcolmson.

MARRIAGE.

"Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder."

May 26—Archibald M'Keown, Killycomaine, to Letitia Morton, Ballyworkan.

BURIALS.

“I am the Resurrection and the Life.”

April 28—William J. Magee, aged 1 ½ ,

“ 30—John M'Laughlin, aged 56.

May 3—Ann Jane Malcolmson, aged 82.

“ 8—James Hughes, Belfast, aged 25.

“ 12—William M'Cormick, Belfast, aged 37.

“ 22—Margaret Milligan, aged 71.

ASCENSION DAY.

On Thursday, May 28th, being Ascension Day, Services were held in the Parish Church. At 9:40 a short service was held for the Church children attending the Day Schools. Bright hymns were

sung and a short address on "The Meaning of the Ascension" was given by the Rector. At 11:30

Morning Prayer was read and was followed by a celebration of the Holy Communion. At 8 p.m. ,

Evening Prayer was held and a sermon on “The Ascension” was preached by the Rector.

WHITSUNTIDE

June 7th will be Whitsunday, when we commemorate the gift of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. It is one of the great Festivals of the Church. We are reminded of our Lord's words “If I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you, but if I depart I will send Him unto you.” Our Whitsuntide Services will bring us a true blessing if when we worship in the House of Prayer we strive to realise the grace and strength which come to us through God the Holy Spirit.

On Whitsunday there will be celebrations of the Holy Communion at 8 a.m., and after Morning Prayer.

On Trinity Sunday, being the Sunday after Whitsunday, we are specially reminded of the Doctrine of the Trinity. The greatest subject that can occupy the mind of man is the Nature of God, and if we are to love Him as we ought, we must study to know Him better. Holy Communion will be celebrated after Morning Prayer on Trinity Sunday.

GIRLS' FRIENDLY SOCIETY.

The G.F.S. held a very pleasant evening in Edenderry Parochial Hall, on Thursday, May 7th, at 7 o'clock. All the members and candidates assembled on the kind invitation of our G.F.S. Secretary, Miss Armstrong, and were provided with a splendid tea. The tables looked very nice, and all present enjoyed to the uttermost the good things provided. The Rev. J. Taylor, who is always a welcome friend, was present, and, in response to an invitation from the Rector, made a short speech. At 8 o'clock the public were admitted to a Service of Song, entitled “The River Singers,” which was excellently rendered by the members of the G.F.S., who had been trained by Miss Armstrong. The touching story was well read by the Rev. W. R. Crichton, and the lantern slides, which added greatly to the interest of the story, were shown by Mr. Ernest Holland. There was a large attendance, and everything passed off most successfully. The proceeds of the entertainment were devoted to the Parochial Hall Funds. A hearty vote of thanks was passed at the close to Miss Armstrong and all who had helped.

CHORAL FESTIVAL.

The Choral Festival for West Dromore will be held in Maralin Parish Church, on Saturday, May 30th at 4:30. Seagoe Choir will take part in it. The Music sung at the Festival will be repeated in Seagoe Church on Sunday, May 31st, at Morning and Evening Services. The preacher at Maralin will be the Lord Bishop of the Diocese.

EMPIRE DAY.

This year, for the first time, Empire Day was observed in the Parish. Special Services were held in the Parish Church on Sunday, May 24th (the anniversary of the late Queen Victoria's Birthday), and were largely attended. In the morning the Rev. W. R. Crichton preached on “The Duties of Empire,”and at Evening Prayer the Rector took as his subject “The Church and the Empire.” At each service the National Anthem was sung with great heartiness. In the years to come we believe that Empire Day will be more widely observed, and the object of its promoters will be achieved, if it leads us as citizens of the Empire to fuller recognition of the Responsibilities and Duties of our position, We should also cultivate as far as we can the spirit of sympathy and self

sacrifice.

ITEMS.

The New Rooms in the Anchor Cafe are being well patronised.

The School grounds at Seagoe are looking very pretty in their summer leafage.

On Monday, May 25th, the Choir had a special practice conducted by Rev T. W. E. Drury, Rector of Rostrevor.

The great Pan Anglican congress will meet in London this month. Its members come from all parts of the world.

A Bagatelle Competition is being held in the Men's Hall at Edenderry, for Prizes kindly presented by Mr. Maxwell Stoops.

The new Railway Bridge across the Bann is nearing completion. Mr. Smith, Engineer, G.N.R., of Seagoe Villa, is superintending its construction.

The Sunday School Magazine for this month contains several very interesting articles, also a special Lesson on the Pan Anglican Congress, which we hope our Teachers will prepare carefully for their classes.

Bathing has begun along the Banks of the Bann. We advise caution on the part of non-swimmers. We wish our Town Council would erect a platform, and provide one or two Lifebuoys at the usual Bathing place.

Snow is not just now in season, but we would recommend our readers to purchase one of Messrs. Moffett's photo post cards of Seagoe Church, taken during the great snowfall last month. They will scarcely recognize their Parish Church under its mantle of snow. The cards cost 2d. Each.

NATURE NOTES FOR JUNE.

We hope each month to insert some short notes on subjects connected with the Natural History of the Parish, and will make them as local as possible. There are some amongst us interested in that most delightful of subjects, the Wonders of Nature, but we should like to extend the circle as widely as possible. The Rector will be glad to receive from the Parishioners and others a record of anything noteworthy in the natural life of the Parish.

The Primroses are now nearly out of bloom. Next to the Daisy it is the first of the woodland flowers. The name of this flower as known to Botanists is Primula Vulgaris. Our name for it, —Primrose— means “the first rose.” It is remarkable that cattle will never touch the Primrose. Swine are the only animals that eat it in pasture.

A very common but beautiful flower in our hedgerows just now is the greater Stitchwort. It was called in early times Whiteflowered grass and is now known in some places as the Satin Flower and Adder's Meat. The flowers are white and of star like form. It can be seen in profusion in Church Lane, but is widespread through the parish. The plant is very brittle and easily broken, hence it has been called “Allbones.” Our readers should also learn to know one of the prettiest flowers along our roads. It has a small blossom of a brilliant blue colour and its name is Germander Speedwell. It is often mistaken for Forget-me-not, but it is really quite different. The blossom is cleft into four segments and has always the lower segment narrower than the rest.

Every child knows the wild Hyacinth or Bluebell. Its root is round and full of a poisonous clammy juice. In old days this juice used to be made into starch to stiffen the collars of fine gentlemen, and bookbinders used it for glue in binding their books. The beautiful garden Hyacinths with double blossoms come to us from different countries of the East. Other flowers to be found this month are the little Wood Anemone or Wind flower, Marsh Marigold (along the Bann), Wild Mustard or Cherlock (in cornfields), Herb Robert (with small pink geranium-like blossoms), and Ivyleaved Toadflax, a small plant growing in profusion in the crevices of walls and covered with little pale lilac blossoms. It is called the Mother of Thousands.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.

The Annual Examination in Religious Knowledge was held in Seagoe Parochial School, on Friday, May 22nd. The Diocesan Inspector, Rev. J. H. Mervyn, conducted the Examination. The Inspector after a most careful and searching examination expressed himself very much pleased with the Result. The Infant Division had been excellently taught by our capable chief assistant Teacher, Miss Bailey. It was wonderful to note the precision and clearness with which the children repeated long passages of Scripture, the Commandments and the Apostles' Creed. In the Middle and Senior Classes the answering of the children was very satisfactory.

Certificates and Prizes have been awarded as follows —

Middle Class (Course 2).

First Prizes and Certificates—Wm. J. Wilson, Thos. Watson.

Second Prize—Norman Holmes.

Third Prize—David Gates.

Senior Class (Course 3).

First Prize—James Johnston.

Second Prizes Maggie Irwin, and Louie Montgomery.

New Classes have been formed in the Day School for the coming year in Religious Knowledge. We hope that all the Parents of the Children attending our Day Schools will encourage the children in this most important branch of a child's education. Our Day Schools are opened each day with Prayer and Praise, and the study of the Book of Books which is able to make wise unto salvation.

BAND OF HOPE.

We have now come to the end of our Band of Hope campaign for the season, and we are filled with thankfulness that it is possible to say that the close of the winter's work was marked by increased enthusiasm in the cause of Temperance in the outlying parts of the parish.

On April 30th, a most enjoyable meeting was held in Hacknahay School, and those who wended their way thither were amply repaid by the excellent programme which had been provided. Songs and choruses were contributed by the following members of the choir:---Misses Best, McNally, Curry, Neil, McMurray, Thompson, England, and Templeton. For Readings, and Recitations, we were indebted to Misses McCormick, Rachel Templeton, England, Best, and Mr. Maginnis. In addition to these items, there was a dialogue admirably done by Misses Templeton, England, and Robinson. After the programme, a most impressive address was given by Rev. S. Mayes. The Rev W. R. Crichton, chairman, having conveyed the thanks of the meeting to Miss Calvert, and those who assisted in arranging a most inspiring programme, and also to Mr. Mayes

for his kindness in coming out, closed the meeting with the Bendiction.

On the following night, May 1st, the closing meeting of the session was held in Edenderry. It is unnecessary to say more about the programme, than that the usual high standard of excellence, which has characterised them, from the beginning was well maintained at this meeting. Familiar features were again to be seen on the platform. Maggie Allen, Annie Smith, Sarah Hardy, Sarah Coulter, Maggie Magee, Maud Dickson, Hettie Wright, showed what vocal talent was among the younger workers in the cause, and these were well supported by Miss Armstrong, Mr. T. H. Wilson, and Mr. D. Murray. Recitations and Readings were given by Miss Armstrong, Violet Richardson, Maggie Magee, Hettie Wright, and Sarah McCann. As usual dialogues occupied a prominent position, and of these we had five: “A Band Bazaar” by Maggie Roney, and Maggie McCann; “What girls can do” by Mary Livingston, Annie, Smith, and Maggie Martin; “A Plea for Temperance” by Bella Magee, and Florrie Wright; “Why girls should be teetotalers” by Margretta Atkinson, Sissie Martin, Maggie Martin, and Mary Livingston; and “The Bottle and the Boy” by Tommie Smith, and Charlie Killow.

The Rev. J. W. Johnston, then spoke on the evils of Intemperance, and the ruin it causes. Then, having expressed his indebtedness to Miss Armstrong for the very active part she had taken in furthering the interests, and promoting the success of the Temperance organisation, and thanked Mr. Johnston for the great help he had given the Seagoe Branch during the winter, and also those members who took in the programmes, the Rev. W. R. Crichton closed the meeting in the usual way.

CHURCH ATTENDANCE CARDS.

The following were omitted from last month's List.

First Class (over 50 points)—Maud Dickson, Victor Walker, Theresa Ramsay, Thomas England.

Third Class (over 40 points)—Lizzie Reid, T. Ruddell, Jeannie England.

ACKOWLEDGMENT.

The Rev. E. Jennings, formerly Curate of Seagoe, kindly sent the Rector 5/- towards the Sunday School Card Collection. Mr. Jennings' many friends in the Parish will be glad to hear that he is strong and well, and winning many friends for himself in the neighbourhood of Mullingar, where he has been acting as Curate since he left Seagoe.

OUR TEMPERANCE FRIENDS.

On Sunday Evg., May 10^th, a crowded congregation assembled in the Parish Church for a special service in connection with the all-important work of temperance. The Rechabites and Good Templars of the District, 200 in number, marched in full regalia to the Church, and were joined by the members of our Parish Bands of Hope, each member wearing the blue C.I.T S. button and ribbon as a badge. The Sermon was preached by the Rector. A feature of the service was the heartiness of the singing. It speaks well for the furtherance of the cause of Temperance that it possesses such a numerous and enthusiastic band of workers in the neighbourhood of Portadown.

OLD SEAGOE NOTES.

Very stringent rules and regulations were made in old times for the suppression of the numerous vagrants and tramps who infested the country. We give an extract from a Regulation made at the General Sessions of the Peace "held at Ardmagh ye 8th day of January in ye eleventh yeare of ye Reign of our Sovereign, Wm. ye Third, by ye grace of God of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King Defender of ye Faith in the yeare of our Lord, 1699, before ye Justices of our sd. Sovereign Ld. ye King appointed to keep ye peace of sd. county, etc."

“If any alehouse keeper, victualler, or private housekeeper, shall from henceforth relieve, entertaine, lodge, or harbour in their dwelling-house, barns, or stalls, any rogues, vagrant vaga-bonds, sturdy beggars, wandering dissolute beggars, or any impotent beggar who wears not the Parish Badge, or have not a Licence, that each Person so offending shall forfeit a fine of three shillings and fourpence for each impotent beggar relieved, and six shillings and eight pence for each sturdy beggar either relieved by any inhabitant or suffered by any Parish township.”

The Badge spoken of above was 'A Badge or Tickett of Brass, Copper, or Pewter, with ye name of the Parish engraved or Imbossed on one side thereof.' The Badge was given by the Minister, Churchwardens, or Parishioners of each Parish.

Planting of Trees.—At a Vestry held for ye Parish of Sego upon Wednesday, ye 9th of March, 1708, It was agreed and enacted by ye Minister, Churchwardens, and Parishioners present, that ye number of Trees be planted by every person that are annexed to his name according to An Order of Sessions dated ye 15th of September, 1708, pursuant to two acts of Parliament.

Here are some of the Lists—Tassen (Tarson), Jacob Robson, 13 trees, Sam Kirk, 12 trees.

Kernan—John Read, 11 trees, Timothy Kirk, 11 trees, Jas. Walker, 1 tree, Joseph Harrice, 11 trees.

Edenderry—Mr. Francis Mathers, 13 trees, John Woolsey, elder, 11 trees, John Woolsey, ye younger, 13 trees. Breagh—Alex. Bell, 11 trees, Tho. Preassuck, 11 trees, John Lindsey, 11 trees, Will. Kintlin, 1 tree.

This is added. "Memorandum that ye trees to be planted as aforesaid are to be oak, firr, elm, walenutt, Popler, Abiel or Alder, of four years growth or more, and for 31 years from ye 25th day of March, 1703."

The total number of trees planted was 1215 and the number of persons ordered to plant them was 137. The largest number of trees were planted in Drumgor where 70 were ordered to be planted by 6 inhabitants.