March 1912

Seagoe Parish Magazine

MARCH 1912.

Churchwardens of Seagoe,

1911-1912.

THE accompanying Portrait of the Churchwardens

of Seagoe for 1911-12 will be valued by our

readers as a permanent record of two Parishioners who have

done good work in Seagoe Parish. Mr. Andrew

Costello, the Rector's Churchwarden (who is seen

standing in the photograph), has for a long time

filled the position of Sustentation Fund Collector in

Tamnificarbet District, where he resides. He has

also been frequently elected to a place on Seagoe

Select Vestry. The family of Costello or Costley

has been long resident in Seagoe. The name first

occurs in the Registers for 1796, when the burial of

Richard Costley or Costello is recorded. Mr. Costello

is a brother of the late Mr. Atkinson Costello, of

Carne, who also acted as Churchwarden and Select

Vestryman in the Parish.

Mr. Robert Gracey, of Balteagh (seen seated in the

Photograph), is also widely known in Seagoe Parish.

He is a collector of Sustentation in the District

where he resides, and has been for many years a

member of the Select Vestry. He has on several

occasions generously entertained the children of

Drumgor Sunday School at his own expense. He

comes of an old Seagoe stock. The name Gracey is

first seen in the Registers in the year 1771, when

the Baptism of one Sarah Gracey is recorded.

The Churchwardens entered on their year of

office on Thursday, April 20th, 1911 and will yield

up their place to their successors at the Easter

General Vestry, which is fixed for Thursday, April

11th, 1912.

The Sunday Schools

Last month was marked by a long succession of

Prize Distributions in the various Sunday School

centres. They were all very successful, and reflected

great credit on the Superintendents of the Schools on

whose shoulders rested the responsibility for arranging

the details of each meeting. We have only room

to say a word about each School. Carne came first

on Thursday, February 8th. The Superintendent

and Teachers kindly provided the Tea. The Programme

was very interesting and attractive. It included an original

Temperance Football piece, composed by Mr. Thos. M'Mullan,

of Tarson, performed by the boys of his Sunday School Class.

We give here a few lines of the verse :—

M'Clure I would put in the goal, whose shots would

stop alright;

Coulter and M'Mullan, backs, would work with all

their might;

For halves we've Simpson, Curry, Mac, the cream of

many a game,

That in the seasons yet to come will win themselves

a name;

Conolly he will boldly play with Hewitt on the right,

While Reavey and his clubmate James will show them

how to fight;

But who will take the centre, why young Twible so

renowned,

Altho' he's but a junior, yet his equal can't be found.

On Friday, February 9th, Hacknahay Distribution

was held. The School was crowded, and Mr.

and Miss Calvert kindly entertained all to tea. The

Programme consisted of Readings, Recitations, and

Songs by the pupils of Hacknahay Day School.

Levaghery Sunday School had its Festival on

Monday, February 12th. It was one of the most

successful of the series, and a splendid programme

delighted all present. Mr. and Mrs. Collins and the

teachers kindly defrayed all expense. Drumgor

had a most enthusiastic gathering on Thursday, Feb.

15th. Mr. Robert Gracey generously entertained all

to tea The Rev. G. Bloomer presided. Mr. W. J.

Allen, Mrs. Allen, and Miss Armstrong, of Lurgan,

were also present, and we have to thank Mr. W. J. Allen

and Mr. Knox for a kind present of fruit for

the children. Seagoe had its feast on Monday, Feb.

19th. The Boys' Schoolroom was filled. The programme

consisted of music and recitations, to which

Miss M. Magee and Miss S. Martin contributed

several items. Mr. C. Boyle, Superintendent of the

afternoon Sunday School, was present. A large

number of valuable prizes were distributed.

Men's Bible Class Social.

PRESENTATION TO THE RECTOR.

THIS annual event took place in Edenderry

Parochial Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 13th, at 7-30 p.m.

A very large gathering of men assembled and partook

of the good things provided in the shape of tea

and cake. After tea the Rector took the chair and

gave an address on Bible Class work. An interesting

programme of music and recitations followed,

consisting of gramophone selections by Mr. Wm. Gates,

a member of Edenderry class; recitations by the

Rev. G. Bloomer and Mr Gilbert Price, and a

song by Mr. Houston. An interesting event then

followed, being a presentation to the Rector by the

members of the Edenderry Bible Class. An address

was read by Mr. David Rock of Bridge Street. It

referred to the past record of the Class, which has

been held every Sunday for seven years; also, to the

regularity of members' attendance and to the other

classes in the Parish which have arisen out of the

Edenderry Class. Mr. Rock then handed to the

Rector a fine silver salver, suitably inscribed. The

Rector, in his reply, thanked the class for their

kindness in making the presentation, and hoped that

the work of the class might go on and increase

under the Divine blessing. The distribution of

certificates and prizes followed, and after a short

address from Mr. Bloomer, the proceedings terminated.

Women's Bible Class Social.

THE members of the Women's Bible Classes met

for their Annual Social in Edenderry Parochial Hall

on Tuesday evening (Shrove Tuesday), Feb. 21st.

Tea began at 6-30, when a large number had

gathered together from all parts of the Parish. The

company included the Rector, Rev. J. W. Johnston,

Rev. G. Bloomer, Miss Armstrong, Mrs. Atkinson,

Mrs. Hadden, Mrs. M'Garry, Mrs. Stevenson, Miss

M'Cormick, Mr. Chambers, and many others. After

tea, the Rector took the chair, and gave an address

on Bible Class work. An excellent programme of

music and recitations followed. The Rev. J. W. Johnston,

curate-assistant of Drumcree, gave an eloquent and

useful address on "The Advantages of Bible Classes,"

especially emphasising the need of clear views on

the doctrines taught by the Church of Ireland.

The prizes were distributed by Miss Armstrong,

who also spoke a few words at the close of

the meeting. The social was very pleasant and

successful, and we record here our grateful thanks

to Miss Armstrong, not alone for the trouble she

took in arranging the Social, but also for her kindness

in defraying the cost of the prizes awarded to her class.

Special certificates were awarded to several members

of the classes for not having missed a Sunday during the year.

Offertories for February.

Sunday mornings, £5.15.9

,, evenings, £1.18.10

Wednesdays, £0.14.8

£8.9.3

Special Temperance Collections (included in above)

Morn., £2.6s.11d. Evg., 15s 6d.

Parish Register for February.

Baptisms,

“O happy you, who, sealed and blest,

Back to your arms your treasure take,

With Jesu's mark impressed, to nurse

For Jesu's sake."

FEBRUARY 3 —Wilson, son of Alexander and Anne Thornton.

,, ,, 3 —David, son of Arthur and Sarah Anne Allen.

,, ,, 3 —Sidney, son of George and Christine Robinson,

Burials.

" 'Tis sweet as year by year we lose

Friends out of sight, in faith to muse

How grows in Paradise our store."

FEBRUARY 6 —Mary Albin, Edenderry, aged 64.

,, ,, 14 —Bella Gordon, Edenderry, aged 72.

,, ,, 14 —Robert Wright, Kernan, aged 66.

,, ,, 14 —Wm. M'Cormick, Ballygargan, aged 76.

,, ,, 16 —Mary Jane Lewie, Levaghery, aged 20.

,, ,, 20 —Sarah Sweeny, Lr. Seagoe, aged 73.

Items.

Mr. M'Kenzie, who formerly conducted District

'Services in the Parish, is now busily engaged as

Lay Secretary to the Bishop of Harrisburg, U.S.A.

***

Farmers of Seagoe should attend the Fruit Lectures

in Portadown Town Hall on alternate Saturdays

at 12-30. They are most interesting and useful.

***

An interesting article on "Portadown" appeared

in the English "Church Times” a fortnight ago, but

it contained a good many curious mis-statements.

***

A very sudden and violent squall of wind and rain

burst over Seagoe on Monday night, Feb. 26th. It

lasted about half an hour. The wind was from the

south.

***

Edenderry Parochial Hall when first built was

called Edenderry Mission Hall.

***

Handbills have been issued with lists of special

preachers and subjects for Lent.

***

The Rector has received an interesting letter from

Mr Matthew Robinson (of Tamnifiglasson), now

resident in La Grange, Illinois, U.S.A.

***

A good many new members are joining Edenderry

Men's Bible Class.

***

Don't forget Canon Lett's Lecture in Edenderry

Parochial Hall on Thursday, March 28th, 1912, at 8

o'clock. Subject—"The Natural History of Seagoe

and its neighbourhood." Tickets—sixpence each.

***

We should like to see our young men who are

drilling through the Parish marching in a body to

Seagoe Church on Sunday mornings and evenings.

***

Kindergarten classes are now in full working order

in Seagoe Day School. The sand trays are a source

of great delight to the little ones

***.

Jumble Sale in Edenderry Parochial Hall on

March 9th (Saturday). Open (please note the hour)

from five to nine. Admission 2d. Great bargains.

***

The Ladies' Day School Improvement Committee

has held several meetings lately.

***

Much sympathy has been expressed with Mr Albin

and his family on the death of Mrs. Albin. She was

most highly respected in Edenderry and throughout

the whole Parish.

***

The death of Minnie Lewie, of Levaghery, is a very

sad event. Cut off just on the threshold of life, her

many friends will long lament the loss of her gentle

Christian presence.

***

Four other parishioners have also been called to

their rest. Mrs Sweeney, of Lower Seagoe, Bella

Gordon, of Florence Court, Robert Wright, of

Kernan, and Wm. M'Cormick, of Ballygargan.

With their relatives we express our sincere sympathy.

***

A meeting of the Band of Hope was held in Edenderry

Parochial Hall on Friday, February 23rd, at 7-30.

There was a large attendance of members and

others who much enjoyed the programme arranged

by the energetic Hon. Sec. Mr S. R. Chambers.

Sunday School collecting boxes for each class, also

Class Marking Books have been introduced into

several of our Sunday Schools with good results.

There is great rivalry among the classes. Miss Halliday's

and Miss Guy's classes have topped the list for

the best collections in Edenderry Sunday School.

Hymns for March,

" And when they had sung an hymn, they went out unto the

Mount of Olives. ' '

MAR. 3rd- M 134, 139, 416, 361

E 32, 335, 295, 131, 12

,, 10^th M 127, 631, 137, 330

,, E 254, 518, 352, 239, 332

,, 17^th M 520, 378, 241, 466

,, E 158, 148, 247, 605, 640 pt1

,, 24^th M 491, 260, 315, 461,

,, E 116, 237, 518, 166, 346,

,, 31^st M 160, 161, 173, 465,

,, E 172, 171, 159, 364, 637,

The above list of hymns has been carefully chosen

to suit the special features of each Sunday's services.

The evening hymns have special reference to the

special evening Lent subjects. Children's hymns are

also included. On Sunday, March 3rd, the Ordination

Hymn is chosen, because it is one of the Ember Sundays.

Miss Cherrie Dawson.

The following interesting letter from Miss Cherrie

Dawson appeared in a recent copy of the South,

American Crusader. It is dated Nov. 15th, 1911

"I wonder if you would like to know a little about

our work here and surroundings—I think you would.

The S.A.M.S. owns a square of land here. At one

corner stands the English High School, which is

Church on Sundays; at another corner, the Spanish

School; at the third, the English High School

House, where workers and three little boarders live;

the rest of the square is taken up with garden,

quinta (playground), tennis and croquet grounds for

the children.

My sister helps the Miss Gillbees in the High

School; I take two classes there, Physiology and

Hygiene, do the house-keeping, and look after the

boarders. For the last two months we have both

been helping Miss Pegrum a little in the Spanish

School. I take the little ones for reading, and find

it a great help to my own Spanish. Miss Pegrum

and Miss Senior, with the help of Senor Regueiro,

and two native monitresses work the Spanish School

there is an average attendance of about 130 children,

all natives, and bonny wee mites some of them are,

too. All races are there—Italian, German, Spanish,

Indian and Negro. A great many of them are too

poor to pay anything, so it means a great deal to

them. In both English and Spanish Schools, the

Bible is taught every day. We have had such helpful

visits lately from our good Bishop Every; he

gave all his attention to Alberdi and its work this

time. He came specially to hold Confirmation

Services, Spanish here, and English at the Talleres;

it is the name of the district where the great railway

company, "Ferro Carril Central Argentina" has its

workshops. There were 20 English Candidates at

the Talleres service.

My sister and I are getting on well with the

language; our fellow-workers tell us we have learnt

quickly in the time, so our year here has not been

wasted, I hope, though I have no scope for nursing,

for which I received special training last year.

My sister and I have offered for the new mission

at San Pedro, and hope to start work among the

Indians in March. This Mission is still in its babyhood,

so there will be a waiting time, but we shall

(D.V.) be on the spot, and can be picking up the

language even a little bit.

Our Sundays are well filled up; we six divide

ourselves over the Sunday School work—English

and Spanish—here and at the Talleres, and at the

Evening Service also. We have English Service at

Alberdi every Sunday morning now at 10.30 a.m.—

3.15 p.m. by your time. We also have a small Bible

Study Band, which meets every Sunday afternoon.

A Circular,

A circular is being issued by the Select Vestry for

the purpose of completing the payment of the expense

incurred in the installation of the new Heating

Apparatus. A sum of is still owing to Messrs.

Musgrave, and must be paid off without delay.

Collectors will call on the Parishioners sometime about

the middle of March, and we hope that those who

have not yet subscribed will give liberally, and

perhaps some who have already given will give

another small donation, so that we may clear the

debt. The Heating Apparatus has proved a great

success in two important ways. It has given us a

comfortably heated Church, and it has proved very

economical in fuel as compared with the old system.

With coal at 32/- the ton, as it is in prospect of the

strike, it would have cost about 14/- each Sunday to

heat the Church under the old system, whereas the

actual cost now is only 5/- or less.

Old Seagoe Notes,

Seagoe Sunday School in 1853.—The following

Acrostic was written by the late Mrs. Atkinson,

Bannfoot, on December 27th, 1853. Mrs. Atkinson

was an earnest worker in connection with Seagoe

Sunday School under the Rev. Capel Wolseley,

curate to Archdeacon Saurin. We are indebted to

Miss Atkinson, of Bannfoot, for a copy of the lines.

In connection with this period an interesting reminiscence

is that the Duke of Manchester entertained

2,500 Sunday School children at a great fete in

Tandragee on June 9th, 1853. On the following

Sunday, June 12th, 1853, there were 349 scholars

present in Seagoe Sunday School.

S hepherd of souls, our pastors bless,

E nrich them with Thy heavenly grace,

A constant blessing may they prove,

G uided by Thee in works of love.

On them the choicest gifts bestow,

E stablish them in love below.

S aviour, to us Thy Spirit give,

U nder His guidance may we live,

Never from Thee depart, or bring

D isgrace upon the Christian name;

And when our earthly toil shall cease,

Y ield up our souls to Thee in peace.

S pirit of light, and truth, and love,

C ome in Thine unction from above,

H ere let Thy saving power be seen,

O save our classes, save from sin,

Of all we love, let none be lost,

Let none be from Thy presence cast.

Athletics in Seagoe in 1820.— It is not perhaps

generally known that about 90 years ago in the

early part of the last century the men of Seagoe

were famed for their strength of muscle and fleetness

of limb. Wrestling matches and other gymnastic

contests were frequent, and usually took place in a

small, square, level field in Lower Seagoe.

Foundation Stone of Old Seagoe.—-It is said

that the foundation stone of Old Seagoe Church lies

at a depth of 8 feet at the North Western corner of

the Old Church. The stone is finely carved, and

forms part of the wall of the Church. We are indebted

to Mr. David Walker, of Seagoe Villa, for this information.

Seagoe in 1797.—During the year 1797, when

symptoms of the approaching Rebellion were beginning

to make their appearance, there was quite an

exodus of people from Seagoe Parish. Many seem

to have migrated to the West of Ireland and settled

there. The State papers in Dublin Castle contain

several references, as, for example, the following;—

“ Feb. 17th to 19th, 1797—1nformations were sworn

against Bartholomew Warren, of Ballina, Co. Mayo,

cabinet maker, for administering treasonable oaths

by Bernard Mulholland, of Lisniskey, Co. Mayo, and

late of Killycomaine, Sego, Co. Armagh. In 1796 a

report on certain outrages committed near Seagoe

Parish was made by one J. Dawson."

A "Master of Games" in Seagoe, 1713 to

1737.—In the Visitation Records of the Diocese of

Dromore now in the Record Office, Dublin, a certain

official is designated Ludimagister in each return for

the Parish of Sego. Ludimagister is a Latin word,

meaning "Master of the Game." In 1713 the office

was held by Thomas Campbell. He nominated as

his successor Robert Herron. In 1724 William

Lapsley filled the post, and in 1797 James Wilson

and Bryan Campbell held a similar position."