June 1909

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

JUNE, 1909.

The Excursion.

JUNE is the month of Excursions. Our annual Sunday School Excursion comes off on Tuesday, June 22nd, to Warrenpoint. It will be a grand day for young Seagoe and it does not seem to matter much whether the day is wet or fine. Last year the wet day did not seem to make much difference because everyone started off with the intention of enjoying themselves, and in spite of the rain they had a very pleasant day. Warrenpoint has some new attractions this year. The splendid sea-baths have just been opened by the Lord Lieutenant, and the park is also a great attraction. The good climbers should try to get up to Cloughmore, while the older excursionists can enjoy the beautiful walks along the shore or inland. On the day of the Excursion the children will meet at the Parish Church for a short service at 8 a.m., and then headed by the Ballyhannon Band will march in order to the station. The train will leave for Warrenpoint at 9.30 a.m. The first meal will be served at 11.30 a.m., and the second at 5.30 p.m. The return train will leave Warrenpoint at 7-30 p.m. sharp, arriving in Portadown about 8.30 p m. Don't get left behind. The price of the Tickets will be for Sunday School Children under twelve 6d; over 12 and under 15, 9d; Senior Scholars and Teachers, and Members of Sunday Bible Classes 1/-, Outsiders 1/6. Don't wait to get your Ticket till the morning of the Excursion. Secure it at once. The Tickets are now on sale in the usual centres or

from Mr. J. H. Stevenson, Killycomaine Road. In the procession to the Station children must keep the line of the procession. The voucher tickets will be exchanged for Railway Tickets at the Church door. We hope to see a great many fathers and mothers at the Excursion. There should be no one left in Seagoe Parish on the day of the Excursion, In cases where Parents are unavoidably prevented from attending we are sure the Teachers will be only too glad to take charge of the ‘wee' ones for the day.

N.B.—To obtain Tickets at above rates the Sunday School Children must have attended at least

eight Sundays from January to May inclusive.

Offertories for May.

“We have as treasure without end,

Whatever, Lord, to Thee, we lend."

Morning. Evening.

£ s. d. £ s. d.

May 2nd—3rd S. after Easter 1 11 4 0 10 5

“ 9th —4th S. after Easter 1 3 3 0 11 9

“ 16th—5th S. after Easter 1 4 3½ 0 9 2

“ 23rd —S. after Ascension 1 1 3 0 11 8

Week Days 0 2 9 0 8 7

Total £5 2 10½ £2 11 7

Baptisms.

May 2nd—Hannah Jane, daughter of John and Sarah Rainey.

“ “ Hugh, son of Valentine and Amelia Carville.

“ “ Sarah, daughter of Edmond and Sarah Grimason.

“ “ Norman, son of William and Rosina Sturgeon.

“ “ Thomas John, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Cassidy.

“ “ Ernest Howard, son of James and Mary Hall.

“ “ Robert George, son of William James and Adeline M' Murray.

Marriage.

May 30th—Frederick Freeburn, Edenderry, to Margaret Jane Clayton, Edenderry.

Burials,

May 15th—Wilson Holmes, Killycomaine, age 23 yrs.

“ 22nd—James Edward Roney, Edenderry, age 27 years.

“ 26th—Thomas Henry Webb, Lylo, age 41

“ 29th - Elizabeth Gray, Killycomaine, age 89 years.

We record with much sorrow this month the deaths of four of our Parishioners, three of them in the

prime of life, and one very aged. Wilson Holmes has passed away after a long illness. He was much

beloved by all who knew him for his kind and gentle disposition. James Edward Roney was suddenly called home after a brief illness of a week's duration, and Thomas Henry Webb still more suddenly after a day's illness. These sad announcements are a solemn warning to us that even the strongest may be summoned into eternity, that ‘In the midst of Life we are in Death.' Mrs. Elizabeth Gray was one of our oldest and most respected Parishioners. We extend to the sorrowing relatives in our midst the assurance of our deepest sympathy.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Summer Fete.

A grand Summer Fete and Variety Sale will be held in Hacknahay School on Thursday, August

26th. The opening Ceremony will take place at 3 0'clock, and the Fete and Sale will continue until

10.30 p.m. There will be a multitude of outdoor amusements in the School grounds, and Committees have been formed for the purpose of organising the various departments of the Sale. The following Stalls have been already arranged for:—Country Produce Stall—President, Miss Calvert: Variety Stall—President, Miss Neill; Refreshment Stall— President, Miss Wilson; Cake Stall—President, Miss Rachel Templeton. There will also be a Toy and Sweet Stall. Mr. George Calvert has been appointed Hon. Treasurer for the Fete, and Mr. T. E. Maginnis Hon. Secretary. The Tickets of admission are now on sale, price 6d each. The proceeds of the Sale will go towards Hacknahay Day School Fund. We hope the whole Parish will rally to the help of Hacknahay in this matter. We know they will. Already many promises of help have been made to the workers, and everything seems to prove that the Fete will be a great success.

What will YOU give?

Athletics.

Two important events took place in our Athletic circles last month. The Physical Culture Class gave a splendid exhibition of gymnastic exercises in the Parochial Hall, on Tuesday evening, May 18th. Two teams competed. B" proved the winners. Medals were gracefully presented by Miss Armstrong to the successful competitors. Messrs. Warren and Harding from Belfast acted as Judges, and also gave a magnificent exhibition of feats of strength. Mr. Ardrie deserves to be congratulated on the success of his second season.

The Seagoe Harriers had a social tea to close the session last week. About 25 members were present

also three visitors Messrs Lee, Brien, and Monaghan.

The Rector presided. After tea, songs and speeches followed, and presentation of medals. Mr. Allen

was awarded a special vote of thanks for his kind services to the club. Speeches were made by the

Chairman, also by the Rev. W. R, Crichton, and Mr T. J. Atkinson,

Special Services,

The Bann Lily Lodge of Free Gardeners will attend the Service in Seagoe Church, on Sunday evening June 6th, at 7 o'clock. We welcome to our Parish Church tbe members of this useful Benefit Society. The Rector, who is an Honorary Member of the Red Wallflower Lodge in Belfast, will preach.

The Rev. Percy Marks, B.D., Rector of Annaghmore has kindly consented to preach in Seagoe

Church, on Sunday evening, July 11th, at 7 o'clock service. Further particulars in our next issue.

Our Sunday Schools.

On Sunday, May 30th, and following Sundays, the Catechism and Repetition portions for the Morning Sunday Schools are taken from those set for the Sundays in Advent. For Sunday, June 6th, the Morning Sunday Schools will learn in the Catechism portion “What verse, etc.," and in the Repetition they will say by heart Psalm 46-5 and Hymn 503-2. In the Study portion they will read Gen. 1-26 to 2-7——the story of Adam and Eve.

In the Afternoon Sunday Schools during June the important portions of the Catechism relating to

Baptism will be learned, with Scripture Proofs; also Hymn 219, a beautiful Whitsuntide Hymn, and the study portions are, for Trinity Sunday, 1 St. John 4-7. and for the other Sundays, portions of the Book of Nehemiah, which is a very interesting book for children. Teachers should read carefully the article in the Sunday School Magazine on “Christian Instruction" by the Rev. G. L. Richardson, M.A.

Our Day Schools.

The Annual Examination in Religious Knowledge was held in Seagoe and Hacknahay Schools on

Tuesday, May 18th, by the Rev. T. G. Wilkinson, M.A., Inspector under the Diocesan Board of

Religious Education. In both Schools the Children showed an accurate knowledge of Holy Scriptures and Church Formularies. We wish to direct the attention of parents to this important fact, that on every School day the first lessons taught to the children are from Holy Scripture. Our motto is “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom." We acknowledge with gratitude the careful instruction given by the Teachers to the Children, and once a week the Clergy visit the Schools, and during the time set apart for Religious Instruction examine the Children in the Course laid down by the Diocesan Board of Religious Education. Hacknahay School did very well at this their first Examination, and a large number of Certificates were awarded.

The following Children obtained Certificates and

Book Prizes:—

SEAGOE: Certificates, Senior Grade—lst., Margaret Irwin; 2nd., William J. Wilson, Theresa

Ramsey. Book Prize—Thos. Watson. Junior Grade —Mabel Reid, 90 p,c.; Jeannie Forde. Book Prizes—Miriam and Hannah J. Dickson and Frances Irwin.

HACKNAHAY: Senior Division Certificates—Wm. M'Grattan, 100 p.c; Ellen England, Sarah Thompson, Lizzie England, Mary Flavell, Thomas Sturgeon, Albert M'Murray. Book Prizes—Joseph Bell and Martha M'Murray.

G.F.S- Excursion.

The G.F.S. Excursion is arranged to take place (D. V.) on Saturday afternoon, June 12th, when the Associates, Members, and Candidates are requested to assemble at the Parish Church at 1 0'clock p.m, before leaving for Loughgall, where by kind permission of Mrs. Cope, the Demesne will be visited.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Items.

There are now 72 Children in Hacknahay Day School.

The Annual Parish Report will shortly be issued.

The 5th Annual Collection of the Auxiliary Fund is now being made in the Parish.

Much sympathy has been expressed with Mr and Mrs Shanks, of Seagoe, in the destruction of their

house by fire. A splendid Brigade of helpers tried to extinguish the flames, but the strong wind

hindered their efforts. We are glad the furniture was saved. Mr. Watson Walker, the owner of the house has also suffered, as the premises were not insured.

The epidemic of Scarlatina in Largan is dying out.

The week of special meetings in Belfast arranged by the Bishop last month proved very successful.

Some of our Seagoe people were present.

Another poem by Miss Armstrong, entitled “He Knoweth," appeared in last week's “Great Thoughts."

We are glad to hear on all sides how plentiful work is in our local factories. Now is the time to open an account in the Post Office Savings Bank.

A number of Cottagers in the Parish have followed our suggestion regarding the cultivation of

flowers. Recently in Drumgor we noticed a profusion of beautiful flowers in some of the gardens.

One reason why creeping plants are not trained up against the front of cottages is the difficulty of

whitewashing where there are creepers. This can be easily avoided by placing trellis wood work against the front of the house and fastening the creeper to it. When the July whitewashing has to be done the trellis can be tilted forward and the brush put in behind it.

We congratulate our excellent Churchwardens on the thorough cleaning of the Church, which has

been accomplished under their supervision.

A Swing and See-saw will be erected in Hacknahay playground this week.

An engine on the G.N.R. is called “Snowdrop" Who gives names to the locomotives? We think they might be made more appropriate. Another engine is called “Orpheus." We wonder why.

Talking of engines we are reminded of the hideous and unnecessary noise made by the syrens in our

local Factories. We believe there is a Society in England established for the abolition of Noise. It is time that a branch of the society was formed in Portadown to reduce the syren blasts within reasonable limits.

Mr Charles Collins of Lurgan, has, we regret to say, been seriously ill. His many friends in Seagoe

will be glad to hear that he is now somewhat better, and we hope will soon be quite restored to health.

The Sunday evening services in Hacknahay, Drumgor, and Tamnificarbet are now firmly

established. They are exercising a useful influence in the outlying parts of the Parish.

Messrs. Moffett & Co. have secured some fine photographs of Hacknahay Day School. Copies may

be had for 9d each. Photo postcards of the children playing in the School ground and at work in the

School can be had for 3d each.

We regret that we are losing Mr and Mrs Smith from Seagoe. They are about to take up residence

in Belfast. Mr Smith, who is Engineer on the G.N.R., is very popular with the railway employees,

and by his sympathy and kindliness has made many friends during his stay in Portadown.

Portadown Show will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, June 9th and 10th. It promises to be

great success.

There are 610 families in connection with Seagoe Church. Allowing 5 persons as the average

for each family this gives a total number of 3050 persons connected with the Church.

The new Stable at the Schools is nearly completed. It will accommodate four horses.

Last Sunday the Bicycle House was crowded out. There were more than 20 bicycles in it.

A service was held by the Rector in Bocombra Orange Hall for the residents in that District on Thursday, June 3rd, at 8 0'clock.

The Wooden Hall is closed for a few weeks for necessary repairs. While it is closed the Men's Bible Class will meet in the Anchor Cafe, and the Afternoon Infant Sunday School will assemble in the Parochial Hall.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Nature Notes for June.

This is the month when the birds are heard singing at their best. Here are descriptions of the

notes of our song birds. The Missel Thrush says ho-he-ho-hee-ho. The Song Thrush says, knee-deep, knee-deep, knee-deep, cherry-du, cherry-du. The Blackbird says pink-pink, tac-tac-tac. The Hedge Sparrow, ee_ee-ee. Wood Warblers cry, tweet.. The Chiff Chaff says chiff-chaff, chaff- chaff, cherry-churry. The French people call it the "counter of money" (compteur d'argent). They think its note resembles chink-chank, as if money was being clinked together. The Wren says, see-see, or, tzit. In June the Cuckoo changes his note. “In June he alters. his tune. In July he prepares to fly. In August go he must" as the old rhyme says. An ancient writer, John Heywood, in 1587, wrote: "At first, koocoo, koocoo, sing still can she do; At last kooke, kooke, kooke, six kookes to one coo." It is only the male bird who utters the curious cry.

Old Seagoe Notes.

Bann Pearls.—Bann Pearls were in great request some 70 years ago. Some of the larger ones

cost as much as £40 each. They are of a clear pink colour, and are found in a shellfish resembling both an oyster and a mussel. The name given to it by the people in this district was “sliggan.” The shell is dark brown in colour and thin, Perhaps some of our readers could give us some more information on the subject.

Seagoe Hones.—There is a common tradition that the waters of Lough Neagh have a petrifying

power and that if pieces of wood or other material are left in the water for some time they are turned

into stone. Like every other tradition there is an element of truth at the root of it. Along the shores of the Lake pieces of petrified Wood are often found in which the twisted fibre of the original wood can be clearly seen. But it is a mistake to think that the water of the lake petrifies. The fragments of fossilized wood come from an underground bed of lignite or fossil wood which no doubt existed ages before the Lough was formed, The wood is mostly holly which proves that the holly tree then as now grew freely in the district. This fossilized wood has been found as far from the lake as Seagoe, and makes a splendid “hone" or surface for sharpening razors and other steel instruments,

Seagoe Marble.—Marble quarries used to be worked in Balteagh and Kilvergan, and the stone

obtained was highly prized for lithographic work aboub 100 years ago.

An Old Mill Stone—The Low Mills at Kilvergon were well known in old days. Before Archdeacon Saurin built the Lime Kilns there a flourishing corn mill existed. The old mill stones may still be seen forming the doorsteps of two farm houses in the neighbourhood.

An Interesting Inscription.

Under the foundation stone of the present Seagoe Church the following inscription was placed in the year 1814—"Be it remembered, that at a time when the dearest interests of Christianity were at stake, when in countries erewhile Christian, the temple of the most High was entered only in Profanation and the name of God invoked but in blasphemy, amidst the wildest ragings of foreign war and domestic treason, amid the anarchy of the world, even then did the Parishioners of Seagoe (a people zealous of good works, much incited thereto by their pious and beloved Vicar George Blacker, now, alas, no more) resolve to erect a new Church, more suited to the dignity of their God, and better calculated to accommodate the increasing numbers of His worshippers. In furtherance of which after many delays incidental to such an undertaking, the first stone of the intended edifice was laid on the 1st day of June, 1814, in the 50th year of George Ill. The Right Rev. John Leslie, Bishop of Dromore, the Rev. Stewart Blacker, Vicar of the Parish, John Overend and William Gilpen, Churchwardens, J. Brownlee, Architect.

An Old Seagoe Coin.—Mr, Sydney Bright has in his possession a Florin of the time of Queen

Elizabeth which was found in a ploughed field in Lower Seagoe some years ago. The coin is in a

good state of preservation.

The Battle of Seagoe.—ln 836 a fierce battle was fought between Blacar a Danish Chieftain

(ancestor of the Blacker family) and Ail or O'nial an Irish Chieftain. Blacar defeated O'nial. The site of the Battlefield is called Drum-lis-na-grilly which means "the hill of the fort of the dagger." Traces of a circular entrenchment may still be seen. Near the battlefield several brazen swords and spear heads of superior workmanship have been dug up. Two, nearly perfect, were presented by the late Colonel Blacker to the Earl of Charleville, who had also in his possession a curious battle-hammer head of stone found in the same place the handle being composed of osier withes, much resembling a smith's punch of old pattern, which from its elasticity must have been a deadly weapon

The Bridge at Portadown.—The Bridge at Portadown and some of the houses beyond it are technically in Seagoe Parish. Up to 1837 when the present stone bridge was built at a cost of £8000 the division between the Parishes and Dioceses was in the centre of the old Bridge built in 1764, and consisting of 7 arches. The bridge of 1837 was built on the Seagoe bank of the river, and a new

channel cut under it for the river to flow in. The channel under the old bridge was then filled up. In

old maps the boundary of Seagoe Parish ran about 100 yards beyond the centre of the present Bridge.