March 1919

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

MARCH, 1919.

A HEARTY WELCOME.

In the name of the Parishioners of Seagoe

we offer our heartiest welcome to our

Heroes of the Army and Navy returning

from the various Battle areas of the Great

War. The Parish is proud of them. When

the Call of Duty came, they answered with

a ready will, and leaving home and family

entered into the fierce conflict prepared to

conquer or to die. The God whom they

served has given them a glorious victory.

Their names, and the names of those who

have fallen in the great Fight, will forever

be remembered by their grateful well wishers

in the Parish of Seagoe.

Thanksgiving Sunday.

It seems right that the homecoming of our

soldiers from active service should be marked by a

Special Service in the Parish Church. They have

been saved from innumerable perils of sea and land

and air, during the years of war, and they are now

returning in large numbers to their homes in Peace

and Safety.

It is God who has given us the Victory, it is He

who watched over and preserved our dear ones

through all these trying years.

During the War we offered up in His House of

Prayer, from week to week, earnest petitions that He

would take into His special care and keeping all those

from this parish, or who are dear to us, who have

gone forth to fight the battles of their King and

Country. He has heard our prayers, and has given

us back (alas! not all) our brave Volunteers. It is

meet and right that we should, by a Public Service

in the Parish Church, render to Him our heartfelt

Thanksgiving.

It has been arranged that Sunday, April 6th, shall

be observed in the Parish as Thanksgiving Sunday.

The Services will be held at the usual hours, 11-30

and 7, and after Morning Prayer there will be a

Celebration of the Holy Communion. A special

invitation to attend the Services will be sent to all

our men who have returned from the Front.

A “Welcome" Social.

Besides the Service, of Public Thanksgiving a

"Welcome" Social has been arranged to be held on

Thursday, April 24th (Thursday in Easter Week) in

Seagoe Parochial Schools. A representative Committee

is being formed to arrange details, and further

particulars will be announced in our next issue.

LENT, 1919.

On Wednesday (Ash Wednesday), March 5th, we

enter on the Season of Lent. The Forty Days of

Lent are an echo of our Blessed Lord's Forty Days

of trial and temptation in the Wilderness when He,

for us, withstood the Tempter. It is a season of great

opportunity for stern self-examination in the light of

an eternal judgment. “If we would judge ourselves

we should not be judged." We invite the parishioners

to attend the Special Services in the Parish Church.

Lent Services.

Sundays in Lent.

General Subjects—

Sunday Mornings - “Steps in the Christian Life."

Sunday Evenings – “Men of the Old Testament."

March 9th—Temperance Sunday.

(Collections for Diocesan Board of Temperance.)

March 16th—11-30—"Sunday Observance."

7 “Abraham”

March 23rd—11-30 —"Bible Study."

7— "Moses."

March 30th—11-30 —"Private Prayer."

7- “Samuel”

April 6th—Thanksgiving Sunday.

April 13^th - 11.30 “Public Worship."

7 - “Daniel”

Wednesdays in Lent.

General Subject—

"Penitential Passages in the Book of Common Prayer.”

March 5^th - Ash Wednesday-

11-30 —Morning Prayer, Litany and Commination Service.

7— “The General Confession."

March 12^th - “Litany."

March 19^th - “Office of Holy Communion."

March 26^th - “Commination Service."

April 2nd - “Visitation of the Sick."

April 9th - “Penitential Psalms."

Cottage Services During Lent.

During Lent Cottage Services will be held each

week in a different district of the Parish. The

following districts will be visited—Tamnificarbet,

Drumgor, Lylo and Hacknahay.

Teachers' Preparation Class.

A Class for Sunday School Teachers meets every

Tuesday Evening in Edenderry Parochial Hall, at

8 o'clock for Prayer and Study. All Sunday School

Teachers are invited to attend.

Edenderry Penny—a— Week Fund.

The Teachers of Edenderry Sunday School have

arranged among themselves to organise Penny-a-

Week Fund for the Repair and up-keep of the

Parochial Hall. Miss Atkinson, of Eden Villa has

been appointed treasurer, and Mr. S. Rennix,

secretary. You won't miss a Penny-a-Week. The

Parochial Hall does a most useful work in Edenderry

and deserves the hearty and ungrudging support of

every Church household in Edenderry.

Award of D.C.M.

41372 Private (A./L./Cpl.) J. Gracey, 9th Batt.

Royal Irish Fusiliers, second son of Mr. W. J. Gracey,

Drumgor„ Lurgan—

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.

After his section commander had been wounded, he

took command and led a charge on two enemy

machine gun positions, inflicting heavy casualties

on the enemy. Subsequently, though wounded

himself, he assisted the stretcher-bearers in bringing

in the wounded under heavy machine gun fire.

Seagoe War Memorial.

At a meeting of Seagoe Select Vestry, held on

Tuesday, February 18th, it was decided that subscribers

be asked to pay in their subscriptions on or

before Monday, March 17th. On that evening Mr.

Wolsey Atkinson will attend in Seagoe School between

the hours of 7 and 8 o'clock to receive such

subscriptions, or they may be sent to him anytime

before that to Eden Villa. A gratifying response

has been made to the War Memorial. It will be possible

to erect a memorial in some degree worthy of the sacrifices

which our brave Seagoe lads have made for us if the great war.

A meeting of subscribers will shortly be held to decide on what

form the memorial will take.

A Bible Class for Lads.

A Bible Class for Lads from 14 to 18 years of age

is about to be organised in Edenderry. It will meet

each Sunday morning at 10 o'clock. Further details

will be made known without delay.

Socials.

We have had a series off most successful socials

during the past month. On Thursday, March 6th,

the Seagoe Bible Class Social was held in Seagoe

Orange Hall (kindly lent for the occasion.) There

were over 100 present, and a most enjoyable evening

was spent. On Tuesday, February 18th, a Sunday

school social took place at Carne. The Hall was

crowded. Mr. David Murray presided. After tea a

presentation of a handsome arm chair was made to

Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Caddell by the teachers and

children of the Sunday school. The gift was handed

to Mr, and Mrs. Caddell by Miss Margaret Reid.

Prizes were distributed to the children during the

Evening. The Edenderry Teachers had a very

pleasant social evening on Thursday, February 20th,

in the Parochial Hall. Tea und cake having been

partaken of the company present joined in games of

various kinds. Drumgor held its social on Thursday,

February 27th, at most pleasant gathering it was,

Mr. George Gracey making all arrangements.

Hacknahay Sunday School had its turn on Friday,

February 28th. The room was crowded, and all

enjoyed themselves to the utmost,

Edenderry R.I.C.

Sergeant M'Neill, R.I.C., has been promoted from

Edenderry to Edward Street Barracks. We regret

very much his departure from the Parish. He has

during his stay in Edenderry proved himself most a

efficient officer, always ready and alert in his duties,

and at the same time popular and considerate with

the people.

Sergeant Jackson has been appointed to the charge

of Edenderry Barracks. We welcome him back to

his old quarters. He is a most efficient police officer

and his recent promotion to the rank of Sergeant is

a proof of the confidence reposed in him by his

superior officers.

PARISH REGISTER for FEBRUARY 1919.

Baptisms.

The following were baptized on February 1st, 1919,

in the Parish Church.

Sloane – Christina, daughter of James and Caroline

Sloan, of' Killicomaine

Sponsors—Margaret Anne Best, Caroline Sloane.

Porter - Margaret, daughter of David (late 9th R.I.F.,

B.E.F.), and Sarah Mary Porter, of Lower Seagoe.

Sponsors—Anne Jane Potton, Caroline Magee.

McCann —Margaret Thelma, daughter of John

George and Letitia McCann.

Sponsors—Isabella Magee, Annabella Grimason,

PRIVATE BAPTISM.

McMurray—On 5th February, 1919, Emma, daughter

of George and Martha M’Murray, of Lylo.

Marriage.

Adair & Black—On 15th February, 1919, Henry Adair

(late L./Corp. 1st R. Ir. Fus.B.E.F., 1914-1918),

of Edenderry, to Mary Elizabeth Matilda Black, of Portadown.

Burials.

Best—February 4th, Mary Jane (May) Best, of Killicomaine,

aged 15. Interred in Drumcree.

Best—February 17th, Thomas Best, of Edenderry, aged 44.

Sweeney - February 19th, Richard Sweeney, of Glasgow,

late of Lower Seagoe, aged 48.

Collins—February 21st, Henry Collins, of Kernan, aged 55.

The death of May Best after a long and trying

illness has deprived the parish of one of the most

faithful among our young parishioners. Though

young in years, and for the past 18 months incapacitated

by illness, she had won foremost place among all who

knew her for her gentle, earnest and unfaltering pursuit

of all that was highest and best in the Christian Life.

She was constant in her attendance at the House of

Prayer. She loved to worship in the church. For three

years at one time she was never absent from the church

at any service on Sunday or week-day.

She attended Seagoe Sunday School morning and

evening, with unfailing regularity, always with

lessons most carefully prepared. At Seagoe Day

School she was one of the best and most diligent

pupils, always carrying off the first prizes for attendance

and answering.

She was looking forward to the desire of her life to

become a missionary, so that she might bring to

others the message of the gospel, which had brought

into her own life so much true happiness. Her

thought was always for others. During her long and

painful illness she uttered no complaint, The

children of Seagoe Day School, with Mr. Rennix,

were drawn up in line on the Lurgan Road as the

funeral passed. For many years to come the bright

example of May Best will be held in sacred

remembrance by her school companions, and all who knew

her. Though dead she will still speak that example,

leading on many to a life of holiness and self-sacrifice.

We mourn her loss but we are thankful to have had,

even for these few years in this Parish so splendid gift

of consecrated childhood.

The death of Thomas Best, of Railway Street,

removes from our midst one who was very highly

esteemed. He was a most regular attender at Seagoe

Church, and was always accompanied by some members

of his family. He had been for many years a member of

the Edenderry Men's Bible Class, and won many special

prizes and certificates for attendance. His gentle, kindly,

and honest manner won for him many friends, who deeply

lament his loss. He never quite recovered from the serious

accident which he met with some years ago in the Foundry.

The memory of Tom Best will be cherished for many

years to come, His funeral was largely attended. His

brethren of the Orange Lodges were present in great

numbers, and some beautiful wreaths rested upon the

coffin. The Rector and the Rev. H. G. Singleton

officiated in the church and at the grave.

ITEMS.

During the past month the Rector received a letter

from C.ofE. Chaplain on active service referring to a

soldier from Seagoe Parish. The envelope was addressed

as follows—"The Rev. the Protestant Priest,

Pass [Parish] of Sagie, Portidown, Co. Armagh,

Ireland." We have read somewhere of "English as

she is spoke," and this is clearly a case of " Seagoe

as she is spoke."

***

The rainfall over the United Kingdom for 1918 has

an interest for Seagoe people. It was a decidedly

wet year, but in the section of Ireland from Portadown

to the mouth of Carlingford Lough, the rainfall was

less than in any other part of Ireland, and this

immunity from rain has been characteristic of the

returns in each year.

***

The Collection for Missions on January 26th

amounted to £3 15s 4d.

***

During 1918 the funerals at Seagoe Church

numbered 63, of which 43 (more than half) were of

females, and 20 of males. The proportions are

usually about equal, but this year the difference is

remarkable.

***

A largely attended cottage service was held during

the month at Mr. W. J. Caddell's house in Targan.

The Rector gave an address on Household Religion.

***

Influenza is again prevalent in the Parish, but it is of

a decidedly milder type than that of last November.

Captain W. Walker, R.A.M.C., of Seagoe, has returned

home after three years strenuous campaigning

in German East Africa.

***

A Motor Plough has been at work in the Parish

for the first time. Mr. Ruddell, of Lisniskey, has

had his land ploughed in this way. It is very quick

and efficient.

***

The movement for the building of St. Mark's

Church Tower as a War Memorial has made splendid

progress. Over £4,000 has been already promised.

OLD SEAGOE NOTES.

Seagoe Choir in 1864.—Mr. Joseph Keough of

Whiteinch, Glasgow, who was a member of Seagoe

Choir in the early 'sixties,' has recently given us a

description of Seagoe Choir in these far past days.

The choir during services in the Parish Church

occupied seats in the old west gallery of the church.

Choir practices were held at Seagoe Rectory twice a

week, on Tuesdays and Fridays. The members

gathered in the large hall at the rectory. Mrs. Saurin

conducted the practice, and played the harmonium.

Each member had a ticket and anyone who missed a

practice their ticket was nipped the next night. The

Archdeacon (Saurin)was usually present and was always

in high spirits. A member of the Choir recalls how

he would sometimes, after the practice, repeat bits of

an old hunting song with the refrain - Tally-ho! Tally-ho"

—slapping his knee vigorously as he said the words.

Apples and sweets were liberally dispensed to the choir

members after the practice. Small sums of money were

paid each week to the members. Those who were good

singers received 3 ½ d every week, those not quite so

good 3d, and the rest 2 ½ d a week. The practices seem

to have been greatly enjoyed by all who attended, and

the Archdeacon and Mrs. Saurin did all they could to

make everybody happy.

Archdeacon Saurin's Adventure in Ballymacrandle—

Archdeacon Saurin was fond of reciting an adventure

of his on one occasion when he was visiting in the

townland of Ballymacrandle. Owing to the great extent

of the parish in his day, which stretched from Bird Island

on Lough Neagh to Knock Bridge, his visits to the various

townlands must necessarily have been few and far between.

On one afternoon in early spring he determined to visit

his flock in Ballymacrandle. Leaving the Rectory, he

made his way up Church Lane clad in a long black

overcoat, closely buttoned, and carrying in his hand

a stout walking stick. When he reached the townland of

Ballymacrandle he walked with firm step to

the nearest cottage. He knocked with his knuckles

on the door but got no response, he then tried the

latch, but the door was evidently bolted and barred,

he then went to the window, but looking in could see

no sign of life. He went round the house, the cocks

and the hens, the pig and the calf were there, but

there was no sign of human life. He tried to open

the back door but it was firmly fastened, he whistled,

he shouted, but there was no response, He then gave

up the effort to get into the house as useless. William

John and his wife and family must, he thought, have

gone away for an afternoon's outing, so he determined

to go to the next house. Knocking vigorously

at the door there was here again no reply, he tried

the latch, he peered through the window, he worked

the back door, but all in vain, he could get no answer.

It was all such a mystery. But he must try another

house. This time he had to traverse along a rough

and muddy lane but eventually reached his objective,

a farmhouse. He will surely have more success here.

But no, it was not to be. He knocked, shouted,

whistled, stamped, but all to no purpose. There was

no response. A dead silence reigned all around,

broken only by the crowing of the cocks, and the

lowing of the kine. A feeling of despair and something

of anger filled his righteous soul. He had walked some

miles, and given up his afternoon to visit his flock, and

his only reword was a succession of bolted doors, and

apparently empty houses. He turned homewards in the

worst of humours with himself and his ungrateful parish.

He had not gone very far when he met a faithful

parishioner who dwelt in the neighbourhood, and

addressing him he said—"James, can you tell me what

has happened to Ballymacrandle? I have spent the

afternoon going from house to house, and every house

is bolted and barred against me. I can't understand it."

James understood it all, but it was only after some hesitation

that he could summon up courage to tell the Archdeacon

the cause of it all. "Deacon." he said, with a twinkle in his

eye, "when they saw you coming up the hill with that long

black coat on you, and that big stick in your hand they

thought you were the "gripper," and in fear and terror they

ran into their houses and bolted and barred their doors."

When the Archdeacon, who always appreciated a good joke,

heard the solution of the mystery he laughed heartily,

and the next time he went to visit Ballymacrandle he

took good care not to bring with him his long black

coat or his fearsome walking stick.