March 1930

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

MARCH, 1930

RECTOR:

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

Portadown.

LAY READER (Bishop's Licence):

Mr. Robt. Gracey, 23 Railway Street, Portadown.

Lent, 1930.

On Ash Wednesday, March 5th, we enter once

again on the season of Lent. It is one of the two

Mission seasons of the Church. In Advent and

Lent the Church calls upon her faithful children to

face with renewed faith and courage our individual

and national sins. In Seagoe Parish the season will

be marked by special services in the Parish Church

and at various centres through the Parish. Sermons

and addresses will be given by special preachers and

speakers subjects suggested by the special season.

Sunday, March 9th, will be, as in other years,

“Temperance" Sunday. At both Morning and Evening

Prayer sermons will be preached on the Duty of

“Temperance," and Collections will be made at both

Services on behalf of the Diocesan Temperance Society

and the Ulster Temperance Alliance. Although

intemperance is not as rife as in former years there is

still much need to strengthen our Temperance forces.

Ash Wednesday Services.

11-30 a.m.—Morning Prayer and Service of

Penitence from Book of Common Prayer.

8 p.m.—Evening Prayer and Sermon.

During Lent a Service will be held each Wednesday

in the Parish Church at 8 p.m. The Services usually

held on Wednesdays in the Parochial Hall will not be

held during Lent.

Prize Distributions.

February has been a very busy month in our Sunday

Schools. Prize distributions have been held in all

directions and everywhere there has been much

excitement and enthusiasm among the children.

Drumgor. - held its prize gathering on Thursday,

Feb. 6th. There was a large assemblage of young

people. An ample tea was provided and round

games followed. Recitations were given and songs

sung. The prizes were then distributed. The Rector

presided, and Mrs. J. G. Gracey kindly presented the

prizes to the successful pupils. A presentation of a

handsome tea service was made by Miss Guy, Mr.

Dermott and the teachers and children to Mr. and Mrs.

Johnston Robinson, who have taken so much kindly

interest in Drumgor Sunday School. Mr. Robinson

replied, thanking all for their kind gift and expressing

his and Mrs. Robinson’s best wishes for the success of

the Sunday School.

Edenderry. — On Tuesday, Feb. 18th, the Parochial

Hall was filled to overflowing by the children,

teachers and parents connected with Edenderry

Morning and Afternoon Sunday Schools. Plentiful

supplies of tea and cake were handed round and

much enjoyed. A programme of songs, dialogues

and recitations followed. A sketch entitled "Nan

and Dan" created much amusement. Miss Hawthorne,

who had arranged the programme, was unfortunately

unable to be present through illness. Miss Hilda Walker

(piano) and Mr. Sidney Walker (violin) helped much

to make the programme a success. The prizes

numbered no less than 181 separate books. The

Rector presided, and the prizes were handed to the

winners by Miss Woolsey, Mr. Gracey, and Mr.

M'Clements. After a hearty vote of thanks to all the

helpers the meeting concluded with the singing of

the Doxology and the Benediction.

Hacknahay — Friday, Feb. 21st, was the date fixed

for the distribution of prizes at Hacknahay. After

a hearty tea, a programme of songs, sketches and

recitations were given. The items were very well

executed. Hacknahay excels in feats of memory,

and it was wonderful how even the wee ones could

remember very long pieces. The Rector asked Mrs.

Bunbury Atkinson, of Gleneyre, to distribute the

prizes. Six special prizes were kindly presented by

Mrs. Atkinson to children who had not missed a

Sunday during the year. Mr. T. E. Maginnis and

Miss Calvert were present and by their kind help

assisted much towards the success of a very pleasant

evening. Mr. R. Gracey, Lay Reader, presided over

the earlier part of the proceedings.

Church Army Mission.

After a very successful Mission in Carne Church Hall,

Captain Crawford and the Church Army van moved into

new quarters at Hacknahay last Saturday, Feb. 22nd. Mr.

Gilbert Price kindly provided horses to draw the van across

the Parish. Mr. and Miss Price and Mr. David Murray gave

much help during the Mission, but indeed on all sides a

fine spirit of sympathy was shown. The Mission began

in Hacknahay on Sunday, Feb. 23rd, at 3.30 p.m.

Bible Class at Carne.

A Bible Class for men and women will be held in Carne

Church Hall on each Thursday evening at 8 p.m., beginning

on Feb. 27th. The class will be taken by Mr. Robert Gracey,

Lay Reader. We invite the residents in the Carne end of the

Parish to attend the classy and any others who may be

able to come.

Miss Cherrie Dawson.

[We print with much pleasure the following letter from

Miss Cherrie Dawson, giving an account of her work in

South America. We hope the Parish will respond to her

appeal for the support of two Indian children.]

Bangor, Co. Down.

Feb.18th, 1930.

Dear Canon Archer, — When I saw your little paragraph

in the Magazine about my travels, I thought I would like

my old friends in Seagoe to know a little bit about some

of the work that God has allowed me the great joy of

sharing with Him in the Sunny Land of South America."

So this is a letter to all the readers of the Parish Magazine.

The work of the Anglican Church (in other words -

Church of England or Ireland) in South America is

in three divisions. 1. Bishop's Chaplaincy Work;

2, Missions to Seamen; 3, Work under the South

American Missionary Society.

It is nearly 4 years since I went out this last time

to work under Bishop Every in his chaplaincy

work. Shortly after arrival I was sent down a three

days' journey by coast boat to Port Madryn to do

Church and school Work in the

Welsh Valley in Patagonia

till a Chaplain or English master could be found.

About 65 years ago, on July 26th, a little band of

Welsh people landed on the wild coast of Patagonia,

at Port Madryn, to start out on a new and independent

life in an unknown land. Many a tale the old folks

have told me of their first hardships and struggles

for a bare maintenance there. They said that the

land was chiefly inhabited then by Indians and

guanacos; the Indians at first distrusted them but

soon discovered that the Welsh people were not cruel

like some Spaniards whom they had met, and they

proved themselves real friends, telling the Welshmen

where

To get Wild Potatoes

and other eatable plants over the hills, and to cut

up canals from the Chubut River to flood their land.

This began the wonderful irrigation system which

has made the Chubut Valley an oasis in the great

stretch of wild, uncultivatable land in Patagonia. Two

or three times their hardly-won little homesteads were

swept away by the floods, but the Welsh people battled

on bravely and in spite of many reverses their faith

never wavered or grew weak. Dotted all over the Valley,

you may see their little Wesleyan chapels, well

attended each Sunday. The majority of the Welsh

folk are Wesleyans, but until a few years ago there

was quite a little gathering of Church people, and

our Welsh Chaplain held services in our three little

churches — in Trelew, Madryn, and Dolavon.

Unfortunately, the last Chaplain was obliged to go

home on account of his wife's health, and the difficulty

was to supply his place, as Welsh-speaking Chaplains

of our Church were very difficult to get. So my work

was varied and very home-like too. The Church worker

has a small day school and a big Sunday School of

Wesleyans and Church together in English, a big

branch of G.F.S. Bible Classes, and sick visiting

amongst all who needed help and sympathy. Our

great help and pleasure came with

The Bishop's Annual Visit

in February, when he gave us a week or ten days

out of his two months' tour through Patagonia,

hundreds of leagues, chiefly by motor car, very tiring

journeys, but he loved the fresh breezes of Patagonia

and brought blessing and encouragement with him

wherever he went.

Some 14 months after my arrival the English master,

with his wife and two boys, arrived and took up the

school and Chaplaincy work, the Bishop having licensed

him to take the Sunday services. A second colony arrived

20 years after the other, and now there are, I believe,

about 5,000 Welsh folk the Valley. The Welsh people

were very kind and hospitable to me and often reminded

me of our good old friends in Seagoe. My last two years were

spent in the same sort of work but in a busier town—

A Big Railway Centre,

where all the big trains, are made for the Pacific

Railway, a big Irish and English colony was there,

but here again Chaplains were scarce and we could

only have services once a month. We had a big day

and Sunday School, and I would like to tell you

that our Sunday School children brought money

each Sunday to pay for the support of two little

Indian children in the S.A.M. Station in the wilds

whom they had adopted; their names are Felipe

and Carlota, and their fathers are native converts,

the Junin (pronounced Hooneen) children also send

a parcel of toys and special treasures to the Indian

children each Christmas.

Felipe and Carlota

write to them in their own language. The sum required

to buy books and necessaries for their support is £3 a

year for each child. Would it not be a lovely link between

the British children in South America and the Seagoe

children if each Sunday School subscribed once a month

towards the support of two Indian children in Paraguay or

the Argentine Chaco. If you would like to help in this

way please tell me and I shall write and ask one of

the missionaries to choose two children for Seagoe.

Then they will send snapshots of the chosen ones,

And you will get letters from them, which you must

answer of course. Miss Atkinson will be delighted

to help you to do this as she is such a faithful secretary

for the S.A.M.S. Will you not stretch this helping hand

to teach your little dark brothers and sisters of the

wonderful love of God? You have known of it always.

Will you not share it with them? Above all, pray for

them and for those who have gone forth to teach,

and for the Christ-like Bishop whose happy life of

self-sacrificing service in his huge Diocese has been

a real inspiration to all his workers and amongst them

the dear sister comrade gone home. — Your old friend,

CHERRIE P. DAWSON.

Seagoe C.L.B.

The Seagoe Companies of the C.L.B. have entered

for the Ritchie Shield competition to be held in March

in Belfast. We wish them all success. They are

drilling with great energy and determination and

their slogan is "Seagoe on top."

G.F.S.

The Seagoe G.F.S. meets each Thursday evening

in Seagoe School at 7.30. A Bible Class is held on

alternate evenings by Mrs. Scott, associate. Cookery

classes are the source of much interest and Miss Jane

Porter has kindly taken up the "First Aid" work.

Seagoe Mothers' Union.

The Mothers' Union will (D.V.) meet in Seagoe

School on Tuesday, March 11th. Tea at 7.30. All

mothers heartily invited. Mr. Scott, Principal of

Seagoe P.E. School, has kindly consented to give

his lecture on "The Poet Tennyson." He will reveal

some of the treasures of English literature to his

hearers. Last meeting of the Union was very largely

attended, and Mrs. Scott gave a most useful “talk"

on "The Education of the Young." Several new

members were admitted by the Rector. Mrs. J.

Twinem, President, and Mrs. J. Reid, Hon. Sec.,

were present.

The Grove Field.

The Grove Field, lying between the Rectory and

the Church, was recently purchased by Seagoe Select

Vestry from Col. S. W. Blacker, at a cost of £150.

There is a private right of way through the field from

the Rectory to the Church. The field originally formed

part of the Glebe of Seagoe, but at Disestablishment

was bought by the late Major Blacker. It was very

necessary that the field should be in the hands of the

Church and when Col. Blacker gave the Vestry the

option of purchase it was felt by them that they should

secure it. The Rector has rented it for some years from

Col. Blacker, and the Vestry are continuing this

arrangement. The purchase money has been paid over

to Mr. Girling (Col. Blacker's solicitor) by the Vestry.

This has been done partly by an overdraft on the

Bank and partly by taking money from the Parochial

Fund. This, of course, can only be a temporary

arrangement. The Select Vestry are, therefore, issuing

an appeal to the Parish for subscriptions to cover the

cost of purchase. The Vestry feel that the Parishioners

will respond generously to this appeal so that the

overdraft may be speedily repaid to the Bank and the

amount taken from the Parochial Fund be placed again

to the credit of that Fund. The Secretary or the Vestry,

Mr. Moses Gilpin, Drumnagoon, will be glad to give

any further information. The Grove Field is 3 acres

1 rood 2 Perches in extent and borders on the present

Seagoe Graveyard.

Service of Song.

The Service of Song, "Paul, the little Mediator,"

with lantern accompaniment, will be given in Seagoe

School on Thursday, March 13th, at 8 p.m. The music

is very pretty and illustrates a very touching story. A

strong choir has been formed and is at work three

times a week in preparation for it. The tickets, one

shilling each, are now on sale. The proceeds of the

entertainment will be given to Seagoe Sunday School

Prize Fund.

Bocombra Sunday School.

The new Sunday School at Bocombra was opened

on Sunday, Feb. 2nd. The Rector was present and

opened the Sunday School with the singing of a

hymn and prayer. Mr. James Twinem, Superintendent,

Mr. Wm. Neill, Mr. Kearns and Miss Matchett were

also present and taught classes. A senior girls' Bible

class is held each Sunday by Mr. Twinem. Twenty-one

children attended on the first Sunday and the numbers

have since then risen to fifty. Bocornbra promises to

be a most successful Sunday School.

Cottage Services.

A Service will be held at Mr. Thomas Dickson's

house in Tamnifiglasson on Tuesday, March 11th,

at 8 p.m.

Levaghery Sunday School.

The annual distribution of prizes in connection

with Levaghery Sunday School will take place in

the School on Tuesday (Shrove Tuesday), March

4th, at 7.30 p.m. A Jumble Sale held by the teachers

of Levaghery Sunday School in the Parochial Hall

on Friday, February 14, was very successful and

realised £12 for the Sunday School.

Parish Register for February

Marriages.

Napier and Cox—February 5th, by the Rev. J. F. G.

Magill, M.A., Curate St. Mark's, Portadown,

Henry Napier, of the Parish of Maralin, to

Elizabeth Cox, of Lylo.

Magowan and Morton—Feb. 20th, William Magowan,

of Portadown, to Mary Elizabeth Morton, of

Edenderry.

Burials.

Gracey—Feb. 28th, William John Gracey, of Drumgor,

aged 81 years.

Our Advertisers.

We have in this issue almost completed our advertisement

columns for the year. We ask our readers to look through

them and note the goods which are offered for sale. We

thank all those firms who have so kindly renewed their

advertisements. All copies of last month's magazine were

sold within two days after publication.

In Memorium.

Mrs. Hopps has given a donation of £50 to the

Co. Armagh Protestant Orphan Society in accordance

with the wishes of her son, the late Robert H. Hopps.

Our Distributors.

Those who act as distributors of the Magazine,

a most useful work, and we thank them most

sincerely. Readers of the Magazine can help the

distributors greatly by being prompt in paying for

the Magazine. We would also ask the distributors

if they would be so kind as to settle up their 1929

accounts as early as possible. Printing and publishing

bills are heavy and must be paid. The Rector would

also be glad to receive any sums outstanding for the

sale of this year's Almanacs.

Regret.

We regret to record the death at an advanced age

of William John Gracey, of Drumgor. Mr. Gracey

had for some months been in failing health. He and

all the members of his family have always taken a

practical interest in the work of the Church in

Seagoe Parish. We desire to express our sincere

sympathy with the bereaved members of the family.

A Serious Accident.

We are sorry to have to record a serious accident

which occurred to William Gracey, of Balteagh, on

Sunday, February 16th. He was motor cycling in

Lurgan when the machine skidded and struck a post.

Mr. Gracey's leg was broken in two places. We

are glad to know that he is going on well, and

we hope before very long to see him going about

as usual. There are at the present time five cases

of fractured legs under treatment in Lurgan Hospital.

All of them were sustained in motor accidents.

Digging up Edenderry.

Edenderry is being dug up in a wonderful way

for the making of the new sewage system. Strange

things have happened. A cow fell into the cutting in

Bridge Street last week, and there was great trouble

getting her out. A curious pocket of sand has been

disclosed at the foot of James St., and quantities of

fine spring water are coming from it, but if it was

allowed to flow James St. might collapse, as the

foundations of the houses would be undermined.

This would never do, so the pocket of sand and

water is to be kept in its place by a strong concrete

wall. The children are getting great enjoyment

climbing over the pipes and creeping along the top

of the excavated clay.

A Letter from the States.

Mr. M'Dowell, in a recent letter, describes a

wonderful motor journey which he and his daughter

made from Rhode Island to Florida. He writes as

follows from New Port Richey, Florida, under date

Dec. 14th, 1929: —"My daughter and I are living here

for the winter. They are having severe weather up

North, but here we have the oranges and grape

fruit on the trees. I have a vegetable garden which

I take a lot of pride in, as well as furnishing us

with fresh green vegetables in the winter season.

We drove down here from our northern home, making

frequent stops to call on friends and visit a bit. In all

we covered about 2,000 miles through a beautiful

country, over the Alleghany Mountains, through

Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,

Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee, Georgie, Kentucky,

and Florida, seeing many new places and points of

interest. We were two weeks on the way and my

daughter did most of the driving."

Bob Neill in U.S.A.

Bob Neill has arrived safely at Hartford, Conn.,

and writing to Mr. R. Gracey, says—"What about

the Bible Class. Tell all the boys I was asking for

them, and how is the Brigade? Have they had a

march with the Band yet? I suppose you had a

Happy Christmas over there. They just get one day

here at Christmas, but there are great decorations.

I wish you and the Bible Class all success. —

From your old member—Bob Neill, c/o Mr. Robert

Sloan, 3 Judson Place, Silver Lane, E. Hartford,

Conn., U.S.A."

Congratulations.

We heartily congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Napier on

their marriage. Mrs. Napier (Miss Cox) has been a

willing and efficient Worker in the Parish, both in

Seagoe and Edenderry.

Mission in Levaghery.

The Church Army Mission in Hacknahay will conclude

on Tuesday, March 4th, and on Thursday, March 6th, the

Captain and Cadet will begin an eight days' mission in

Levaghery School.

MARRIAGES must be performed between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Licenses are issued by Rev. 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. It will be a help to the Clergy if they are notified of the arrival of new Church families in the Parish.

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