March 1926

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

MARCH, 1926.

CLERGY ;

Rev. Canon Archer, B.D., The Rectory, Seagoe,

Portadown.

Rev. R. W. Johnston, L.Th., 51 William Street

Portadown.

CHURCHWARDENS :

Mr. Robert Price (Rector's).

Mr. Thomas Martin (People's).

Holy Week and Easter.

During Holy Week, which begins this year on

Sunday, March 28th, special services will be held

each evening (except on Saturday) at 8 p.m. Time

following clergy have kindly consented to preach

at the services:—

Monday, March 29th—Rev. J. R. MacDonald, M.A.,

Rector of Donacloney.

Tuesday, March 30th—Rev. W. R. M. Orr, LL.D.,

Rector of Gilford.

Wednesday, March 31st—Rev. W. E. Hurst, M.A.,

Rector of Moira.

Thursday, April 1st—Rev. J. B. Bradshaw, M,A.,

Rector of Aghalee.

Good Friday,

On Good Friday the following services will be

held:—

11-30 a.m., Morning Prayer and Litany.

8 p.m., Evening Prayer and serrnon.

The offerings on Good Friday will be given to

the Society for Promoting Christianity among the

Jews.

Easter.

On Easter Day services will be held as follows—

8 a.m., Holy Communion.

11-30 a.m., Morning Prayer, sermon, and Holy

Communion.

7 p.m., Evening Prayer and sermon.

The offerings at all services on Easter Day will

be on behalf of our Parochial Sunday School Fund.

The events which we commemorate during Holy

Week and Easter are fundamental facts in our

Christian experience. The Death and Passion of

our Lord Jesus Christ is our only hope of salvation

from sin.

" He died the Just for the unjust to

The Tragedy of Calvary, on

bring us to God."

which our whole faith is built up, is the most

Stupendous fact in human history. We shall get to

Understand it better if in the spirit of true devotion

we gather together in the House of Prayer

each evening during the great week preceding

Easter, and open our hearts to hear and receive

afresh the message of Salvation. The week of

Suffering is crowned with the joy of Easter Day.

The darkness has passed away and the True Light

Of Resurrection glory fills our thoughts and kindles

our worship. The Parish Church, bright with

the flowers of spring, reminds us that winter has

gone, and that the joy of summer is at hand.

As Christian people we will mark our Easter of

1926 by attendance at Holy Communion. We will

not allow any casual circumstance to hinder our

participation in the Sacrament instituted by our

Blessed Lord on the eve of His Passion and sealed

for us with His distinct command, " This do in

remembrance of Me." We wish all our readers a

Happy Easter. Some of those who may read these

words may be far away from the old Church where

they used to worship in their early years, but they

will resolve that in their new ,surroundings they will

find out the nearest Parish Church, and on Easter

Day keep the Feast as they used to do in the old

days in the old Church beyond the seas.

Advent of the Bus

Quite a revolution has been effected in the Parish

by the advent of the motor bus. People who never

thought of a visit to Banbridge or Donacloney, or

Dungannon or Belfast, can now, without trouble or

much expense visit any of those places.

Some people who live in distant parts of the Parish come

to Church on a bus. At all our recent concerts

motor buses were much in evidence, the huge craft

being drawn up outside the hall awaiting the exit

of prospective passengers. A novel sketch was

recently presented by the Edenderry children entitled

" Waiting for the Bus," and created great amusement.

On Saturdays the town is more crowded than

ever owing to the large number of people who come

by bus from neighbouring towns. You can get

anywhere and everywhere now by bus.

Sunday School Prizes.

Last month was very busy with prize distributions.

The number of prizes distributed exceeded all previous

records. The gross cost of Hymn Books and

Prayer Books alone amounted to £24 19s 6d, and

besides this there were very many beautiful Bibles

and attractive story books. We are often requested

to get special books, such as the " Adventures of

Husky Dusky" or " The Story that never came to

an end," or " The Blue Slipper," or perhaps " The

Cat and her Mittens." Of course we would like,

if possible to please and satisfy all our happy prize

winners, hut it is sometimes very difficult to get

the book they ask for. We hope that those who got

Bibles and Church Service Books will take great

care of them and not expect to get them again for

some years. We hope, too, that the children will

take great pride in bringing their Bibles and Prayer

Books and Hymnals to Church with them every

Sunday, so that they may be able to join heartily

in the service.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

Improvements.

The new lodge at Seagoe graveyard is nearing

completion and presents a very neat appearance. It

is a roomy building, with good windows, and

appears to have been constructed with good materials.

The old stable which for so long occupied this site

has, been swept away. We hope many other

improvements will follow now that the Graveyard

Committee have made a good beginning.

Some receptacle should be made in the graveyard where

withered wreaths could be thrown. At present they

are usually thrown over the boundary wall. Young

children should not be allowed to go through the

graveyard unless accompanied by a grown person.

A graveyard is not intended to be a playground.

Even for health reasons it is not advisable for

children of tender age to frequent the graveyard.

Those who live along the Carne road rejoice in the

improvement caused by the cutting of the double

right angle corners which at two points in Lower

Seagoe and Tarson formed very dangerous

obstructions to traffic. We can describe in a simple diagram

the improvement which has been effected. The

dotted lines show the new pieces of road—

Lower Seagoe

Tarson

Carne

The Vestry have purchased a new Slingsby folding

ladder for use at the Parish Church. The extensive

roofing of the Church and the proximity of

so many trees make it frequently necessary to clean

the spouts. The want of a convenient ladder has

been felt, but the want has now been well supplied.

Prize Distributions.

At all our Sunday Schools the prize distributions

were marked by crowded rooms and interesting programmes.

Edenderry Sunday Schools had their

gathering on Thursday, February 4th. The

Superintendents (Mr. S. Rennix and Mr. R. M'Clements)

and the teachers had arranged a splendid supply

of tea and cakes, and also an attractive programme

of music and recitations. The Rector, assisted by

the Superintendents, distributed the prizes.

Drumgor prizes were distributed on Monday, February

'2nd. There was a large assemblage of the children.

Games were played after tea, and then the prizes

were distributed by Miss Agnes Guy. The Rector

spoke a few words of welcome and congratulation

to the Superintendent (Mr. Thos. Hopps) and the

teachers and children on the success of the Sunday

School Hacknahay—Friday, January 29th. The

schoolroom was crowded. After a hearty tea,

followed a very attractive programme, which was much

enjoyed. The Rev. R. W. Johnston presided, and

the prizes were presented by Mrs. Bunbury Atkinson,

of Gleneyre, who each year very kindly presents

some special prizes to the children.

Carne held its distribution of prizes on Friday,

February 12th, at 7-30 p.m. After a plentiful supply

of tea and cake, the evening was spent with

round games, interspersed with songs and recitations

also, a sketch entitled " Mother's Housemaid."

Mrs. David Murray handed the prizes to the successful children.

Seagoe was the scene of a happy evening on Thursday,

February 11th, at 7 p.m. There was a large

gathering of children, who enjoyed to the utmost

the plentiful supply of tea and cake provided for

them. After tea, thére was a programme of songs,

recitations and sketches. The Rector distributed the

prizes to the children.

Colonel Blacker, D.S.O.

Colonel Blacker paid a brief visit to Seagoe last

week, arriving on Tuesday, March 2nd. He stayed

at Drumcree Rectory with the Rev. F. J. Halahan.

He had the pleasure of meeting many officers of the

9th Batt. while here, and paid several visits. He

is at present living in North Devon, England.

Concert in Drumgor.

An attractive concert was held in Drumgor Church

Hall on Tuesday, February 23rd, at 8 p.m. The room

was packed. We counted 320 people present. The

programme was excellent and varied. No encores

were allowed owing to nits length. It ran on to 11-15,

but someone said they could have listened on till

midnight. Miss Hawthorne brought her " Fairies"

from Edenderry in a big bus, All the items were

good and the sketches were very amusing. Much

credit is due to all who helped to arrange the

programme. The proceeds will be given to Drumgor

Sunday School Fund,

Seagoe Mothers' Union.

On Wednesday, February 3rd, the members of the

Mothers' Union attended a service in the Parish

Church. The Rev. H. F. O. Egerton preached. On

the following Sunday the members attended the

service of Holy Communion.

On Tuesday, March 2nd, the monthly meeting was

held in the Parochial Hall. Tea was kindly

provided by some of the members. The Rector

presided, and the Rev. Canon Taylor, M.A., Rector of

Lisburn Cathedral, gave; an address on " Martha and

Mary " There was a large attendance and many

new members were admitted.

The Weekly Envelopes.

A large number of those who have taken sets of

envelopes are sending or bringing them in regularly,

but there are a few who are less regular or who,

have not yet begun to send in the set for this year.

We ask all who have taken sets to kindly bring them

in regularly, so that there may be no arrears. If

the financial responsibilities of the Parish are to be

met everyone will have to do his or her part with

generosity and regularity.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

The Balteagh Coin.

The Rector has received the following letters

regarding the old coin dug up in Balteagh recently

by G. B. Gracey:—

101 Donegall Street,

Belfast, 25th February, 1926.

Dear Canon Archer,—l enclose a letter from Mr.

Fletcher regarding the piece you showed me. The

Mr. Baldwin to whom he refers is the well known

coin dealer in Duncannon Street, opposite Charing

Cross.—Yours very truly,

WILLIAM MAYES.

Tupwood, Caterham,

Surrey, 17th Dec., 1925.

Dear Mr. Mayes,—Please excuse my not having

written again before this, but the delay was caused

by a mishap. As a matter. of fact, I wrote on 21st

Nov., and the letter got mislaid, and I only found it

again today, it having got mixed up among some

business papers. It was written to mention that I

had shown the drawing to Mr. Baldwin, who has as

good a knowledge as anyone I know of coins in

general. His opinion was that it was neither a coin

nor medal, but was a roundel from a trencher with

the family arms and motto, and he put it down as

being of about the period of James I. The drawing

is exactly similar to the heraldic " beacon."

Fairbairn's " Book of Crests" gives a number of

families bearing this as a crest, but the only

specifically Irish name is, I think, " Redmond."

The motto, however, is not given in " Fairbairn," nor

can I trace it elsewhere. When I wrote last, I

mentioned that I had an old halfpenny with an

inscription relative to the " Antrim Regiment," but

which I could not put my hand on at the time. I

have since turned it up, and am enclosing it for

your inspection, as I thought you might possibly

be interested to see it. It is, of course, very roughly

done, but may well be of some local interest. You

need be in no hurry to return it.—Yours very truly,

LIONEL L. FLETCHER

Men's Social in Edenderry

A very pleasant and largely attended social for the

members of the Recreation Room and the Air Gun

teams was held in the Parochial Hall on Monday,

February 15th, at 7-30 p.m. Tea was very kindly

provided and dispensed by a committee of ladies.

It was served at separate tables. After tea, the

Rector took the chair and introduced a deputation

Of four members of the Belfast Air Gun Association,

Who most kindly arranged to attend the meeting

and give time men all information regarding the

Working of the Belfast Association. The deputation

consisted of Mr. Tom Murphy, President, B.A.G.A.;

My. Chairman; Mr. D. F. Adgey, Vice,

Chairman, and Mr. M'Kerr, the well known Belfast

dart maker. Mr. Murphy, by the aid of a series of

diagrams, explained the nature of a correct aim. Mr,

Lattimer, a Belfast veteran, told the story of Ulster

Air Gun Clubs. He also gave a very humorous

recitation, " When I was 21," and performed very

skilfully on the " bones," much to the delight of the

audience. Mr. M'Kerr told us how darts were made,

and how important it is that they should be the

very best. Mr. D. Adgey, in a few words, expressed

his pleasure at being present, and his interest in

air gun work. Mr. Murphy suggested that in the

near future he would bring a team from Belfast for

a friendly match. A hearty vote of thanks was

passed to the visitors, on the motion of the Rev. R.

W. Johnston, seconded by Mr. D. W. Murray.

Presentations.

The Misses Hawthorne, who have helped so well

in the work in Edenderry, were the recipients of a

presentation from the children of Edenderry choir,

at a social meeting held in the Parochial Hall on

Friday February 5th. The presentation consisted

of. two handsome writing cases. At the same time

Miss Isobel Atkinson was presented with a

handsomely bound Bible by the Band of Hope choir.

Parish Register for February.

Baptisms

Russell—February 6th, Rebecca, daughter of William Alexander and Margaret Russell, of Drumgor. Sponsors—William Alexander Russell, Edith Sinton, Margaret Russell.

M'NalIy—Eelmuary 6th, Esther, daughter of Joshua and Anne Elizabeth M'Nally, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Margaret Calverty Lily Kerr.

Marriage.

Guy and Warnock—February 6th, 1926, Alexander Guy, of Upper Seagoe,

to Margaret Warnock of Edenderry.

Burials.

Eades—January 30th, Dorothy Charlotte Eades, of Killicornaine; aged 8 months.

M'Cann—March, 1st, Jane M'Cann, of Edenderry; aged 71 years.

Sale of Work at Drumgor.

A Sale of Work is being arranged and will be

held (D.v.) in Druingor Church Hall on Easter Tuesday,

April 6th. All kinds of amusements will be

provided. The sale is being held to clear off the balance

of debt resting on the Hall. We want all the

Parish to help to make the sale a great success.

Seagoe Select Vestry.

A meeting of the Select Vestry was held in Seagoe

School on Thursday, February 25th, at 8 p.m., for

the purpose of closing the list of the General Vestry

of the Parish. The following names were added

to the list—Messrs. John Dermott, Robert Morton,

Thomas Coulter, John R. Reid, Wm. A. Casey, Misses

Caroline Monroe, Nellie Montgomery, Norah Montgomery,

Letitia Montgomery and Dinah Montgomery.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Old Seagoe Notes,

The Blacker Chancel in Seagoe Church.—The

Blacker Memorial Chancel was designed by a famous

Irish architect, Sir Thomas Drew, President of the

Society of Architects in Ireland. It is a handsome

and well proportioned addition to the Church and

was erected in 1890. The design adopted for the

Mosaic flooring possesses a special interest. The

inlaid pattern is taken from a design or symbol found

on a coin which Sir Thos. Drew discovered lying on

the breast of a body buried in the crypt of Christ

Church Cathedral, in Dublin, when that Cathedral

was being restored some 50 years ago. The coin

dated from the 10th century and was of Norse or

Danish origin. The reason why this decoration was

chosen by Sir Thos. Drew for the Blacker Memorial

was no doubt because of the intimate connection,

which according to tradition, existed between the

founder of the Blacker family, known as Blacaire,

the Dane, and his cousin, the founder of Christ

Church Cathedral, Sitric Ill, who was a Danish King

of Dublin. The Blacker family are heirs to the title

of " Hereditary Defenders of Ath-Claith, otherwise

Dublin." The family are said to have settled in

Yorkshire and to have returned to this neighbourhood in

the person of Valentine Blacker in the middle of

the 17th century.

Seagoe and the Education Act.

A report of the last meeting of the Regional

Committee of the County Armagh, which appeared

in the " Armagh Guardian," began with the following

statement—" The Transfer Committee of the

County Education Committee, at their meeting on

Wednesday received a letter from the Manager of

Seagoe School declining to transfer the School unless.

it was recorded in the agreement that Bible Instruction

be given by time teaching staff in accordance

with the memorandum of the Ministry. It will be

recollected that the County Committee some time

ago decided not to include any such condition in

Transfer Deeds, but instead passed a resolution to

the effect that such instruction was to be given in

all Protestant Schools.

[The letter referred to above was sent to the

Regional Committee by the Secretary of Seagoe

Vestry, with the approval of the Rector and by the

unanimous wish of the Vestry.]

ITEMS,

We are glad to hear that the Rev. G. H. Daunt is

making a good recovery from his recent illness.

Magazine distributors are asked to send in their

returns for 1925 as soon as possible, also their

returns for the sale of Almanacs.

The Annual Report for 1925 will shortly be published

SERVICES.

THE PARISH CHURCH.

HOLY COMMUNION—1st Sunday after Morning

Prayer ; 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 members

of the Church. 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

11.30 a.m.

EVENING PRAYER—Sundays 7 p.m., Wednesdays

8 p.m.

DISTRICT SERVICES.

Hacknahay—Last Sunday of Month at 3.30 p.m.

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

CLASSES,

ADULT CLASSES--sundays at 10 a.m.

For Men—Edenderry and Seagoe. For Women—

Seagoe School.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS—IO a.m. Edenderry Parochial

Hall and Seagoe School. 3 p.m. Seagoe, Edenderry Parochial Hall,

Levaghery, Hacknahay

Carne, Drumgor.

Men's Recreation Room, Bridge St., open every

night from 7 p.m.

Seagoe C.L. Brigade in Edenderry Parochial Hall

on Tuesdays at 8 p.m.

Mothers' Union, Edenderry 1st Tuesday, at 4 p.m.

DAY SCHOOL—Seagoe, 9.30 a.m. Principal—Mr. S.

Rennix.

MARRIAGES must be 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 CERTIFICATES BAPTISM, 3/7; Children (Factory), 1/- and 2/-

(non-residents) ; MARRIAGE, 3/7. An extra search fee is chargeable in certain cases

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