March 1935

Seagoe parish Magazíne.

M ARCH , 1935.

CLERGY :

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

Rev. W. F. Hayes, B.A., The Bungalow, Lower Seagoe, Portadown.

CHURCHWARDENS :

Rector’s—Mr. John Harrison Twinem.

People’s— Mr. Robert M'Clements.

The Collect for Lent.

Almighty and everlasting God. who hatest

nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive

the sins of all them that are penitent ; create

and make in us new and contrite hearts, that

we worthily lamenting our sins, and acknow­ledging our wickedness, may obtain of Thee,

the God of all mercy, perfect remission and

forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Special Lent Services.

During the season of Lent, which began on

Wednesday (Ash Wednesday), March 6th, Spe­cial Services will be held in the Parish Church

on each Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. On Sun­days, at Morning and Evening Prayer, special

subjects suitable to the season will be dealt with.

Temperance.

On Sunday, March 10th, at Morning and;

Evening Prayer, Temperance Sermons will be

preached in the Parish Church. The offerings

will be on behalf of the Diocesan Temperance

Society and the Irish Temperance Alliance.

C.L.B Parade

On Sunday, March 10th, at Morning Prayer

there will be a Parade of the Seagoe and Carrie

Companies of the Church I id s ’ Brigade. Cap­tain Mitchell will be in command. The C .L.B .

Training Corps and Cadets meet in the Parochial

Hall on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m.

A Missionary Play.

On Thursday, March 14th, a Missionary Play

will be performed in the Parochial Hall at 8

P-m. The tickets, 9d and 6d are now on sale.

The Play is of great interest and the performers

are members of Shankill (Lurgan) Parish

Church. Special costumes and accessories will

be used by the players. The play is being most

kindly given on behalf of our Church Funds.

Sunday School Concert

What promises to be a most enjoyable con­cert will be given in the Parochial Hall on

Thursday, March 28th. at 8 p.m. The object

of the concert is to raise funds to cover the cost

of the Sunday School prizes for Edenderry Sun­

day School.

Lurgan Conference

On Saturday, February 16th, a largely at­tended Conference of Sunday School Teachers

was held in Lurgan. It had been organised by

the Rev. ,J Hamilton, Curate of Donaghcloney.

The Conference began at 3.30 with a service in

Shankill Parish Church, at which the Bishop

gave an address. After the service the Teachers

gathered in the large Parochial Hall, when an

address on Sunday School work was given by

Miss Millington, Organising Secretary of the

Church of Ireland Sunday School Society. The

address was very practical and useful, dealing

with the various difficulties and encouragements

of Sunday School work. Tea followed, and

then the second session opened with a further

address by Miss Millington. Among those who

spoke at the Conference were the Rev. Chan­cellor Archer, Mr. T. E. Maginnis and Mr. R.

Scott. The Bishop having expressed his sense

of the importance of the Conference, the procedings terminated.

Visit o f Miss Millington.

On Thursday, February 28th, our Sunday

School Teachers attended a meeting in Seagoe

School, at which Miss Millington gave an im ­

portant address on Sunday School work. There

was a large attendance of the Teachers. The

proceedings began socially with tea, and this

was followed by the Conference. Preparation

and Punctuality were the tw j points emphasised

by Miss Millington. Speeches were made by

the Rev. W . F. Hayes, Mr. R. Scott, Mr. Harry

Hynes, Mr. M ‘Clements, Mr. Stanfield and Mr.

W. Hutchinson.

Useful Suggestions.

At the Parish Social Mr. .!. H . Twinem sug­

gested that work parties should be organised in

each of the seven districts o! the Parish and

tiiat each should strive to raise £50. I t was

also suggested that a large Sale of Work should

be held towards the end of the year. The pro­

ceeds to be used to pay the balance on the New

Burial ground and also the cost of the Repair of

the Church Tower and the painting of the in­

terior of the Church.

8EAG0E PARI8H MAGAZINR

Supervisar of Envelopes.

Mr. Thomas Stanfield, of Levaghery, has

very kindly consented to supervise the Envelope

System on the invitation of the Select Yestry.

For this purpose the Parish will be divided into

four sections. Edenderry will form one of the

sections. Mr. George Wilson and Mr. Tom

Hall, who check and enter the envelopes as they

come in, will furnish Mr. Stanfield with a list

each month. This system nas been followed in

many parishes with excellent results. I t is the

system adopted in the Parish of Shankill (Lurgan) and of St. Mark’s, Poitsdown. The sys­tem will come into force in Seagoe without

delay.

The Parish Social.

The Parish Social was a great event in our

Parish life of last month. It was held on Tues­day, February 19th, in Seagoe School. Mem­bers of the Select Vestry and the Churchwardens

had made a thorough canvass of the Parish, and

tickets had been widely sold in every townland.

The result was very gratifying. So many of the

Parishioners assembled that there was scarcely

room enough for them in the School. The three

large rooms were quite filled. Everyone w*\s in

the best of humour and a very friendly spirit

prevailed. The tea was very good. We have

never before seen such a display of beautiful

teapots, and the tea was made separately in

each teapot. All kinds of wonderful cakes

adorned the tables. Grace was heartily sung

before tea. Mr. Albert Wilson most kindly had

his band, which played very nice selections dur­ing tea. Owing to the numbers present the ar­ranging of the forms and removal of the tables

took some time, but when all were seated the

Rector took the chair. After prayer and the

singing of “ The Church’s One Foundation,”

the chairman spoke a few words of welcome to

all present. An interesting programme of songs

and recitations followed. At the close of the

evening short addresses were given by the Rev.

W . F. Hayes and by the V-;n. Archdeacon Hannon. During the programme Mr. J. H. Twinem

made a very clear statement as to the Finances

of the Parish and suggested that the best way

to increase the Sustentation Fund was by a more

regular and punctual payment through the

Weekly Freewill Envelopes.

The ladies who assisted at the tea-tables were:

— No. 1. Mrs. Sloan, Miss H. Walker. Miss

Hynes, Miss Anderson ; No. 2— Mrs. Stoops,

Miss Monroe, Mrs. Richard Hoy, Miss Mayes;

No. 3— Miss Maginnis, Miss Bradshaw, Miss

Coulter, Miss Matchett; No. 4— Mrs. Jack

Walker, Mrs. Scott, Mrs. Porter, Miss May

Bell; No. 5—Miss M. Dickson, Miss S. Gray,

Mrs. M'Cormick, Miss Betty Hynes; No. 6—

Mrs. J . H . Twinem, Mrs. Metcalf, Mrs. John

L. Gilpin, Miss Johnston; No. 7— Miss Guy,

Miss Lizzie Gracey, Miss C. Kirby, Mrs. Watson Walker;

No. 8— Miss M ‘Clements, Miss Primrose Preston, Miss J. Watters; No. 9—Mrs. J . G. Gracey,

Mrs. Ballentine, Miss Margt. Gracey, Mrs. Bertie Picker­ing; No. 10— Mrs. James Twinem, Miss M.

Webb, Mrs. Cairns, Miss S. Hoy; No. 11—Miss

White, Miss Isa Best, Miss R. England, Miss

Cox; No. 12— Miss Atkinson, Miss M'Dowell,

Miss Sara Dawson, Mrs. John R. Reid; No.

13—Mrs. Mitchell, Miss Mabel Best, Mrs.

Betty, Miss P. Robinson; No. 14—Mrs. Moses

Gilpin, Mrs. Collins, Mrs. McClatchey, Miss

McLaughlin. Mr. John H. Twinem had charge

of the arrangements, and he was ably assisted

by Mr. James Twinem, Mr. R. M'Clements and

other members of the Select Vestry.

The following is a statement of accounts up

to date:— Receipts— Collection at door, £1 10s,

Cake, per Miss Atkinson, 2s; Subscriptions—

Miss N. K. Montgomery, 5s, Friend, per Miss

M. Dickson, 3s, 422 tickets at 1/-, £21 2s—

£23 2s Od. Expenses:— Printing and cleaning,

19s 6d. Balance— £22 2s 6d.

Cash:— Handed to Mr. Stoops, £20 18s 6d;

cash in hand, 4s 0d ; tickets outstanding, £1—

£22 2s 6d.

Prize Distributions-

All the Sunday Schools of the Parish have now

had their Prize Distributions. February was

indeed a very busy month. In one week there

were no less than three distributions. A very

large number of Hymn Books and Prayer Books

were given as prizes, also Bibles. Quantities of

story books were also awarded, although the de­mand for stories was not as great as usual. All

the books given were handsomely bound.

Distribution at Drumgor.

Drumgor held its social evening on Monday,

February 4th. at 7.30. We have seldom seen

the room so crowded with children and their

parents. A splendid tea was provided, which

was thoroughly enjoyed. Games of all kinds

followed and a nice programme of songs and recitations followed. Then came the distribution

of the prizes amid great excitement. Mrs.

Hutchinson, wife of the Superintendent, Mr.

Wm. Hutchinson, kindly distributed the books

to the children. The Rector, in thanking all

who had helped to make the evening so pleasant. referred to the energy and zeal shown by

Mr. Hutchinson in the Sunday School. The

School is now very large in numbers and has a

fine staff of teachers. The Rev. W. F. Hayes

also spoke and invited the children to attend the

Morning School in Seagoe and to come to the

Parish Church.

Bocombra.

On Thursday, Feb. 7th, the new Hall at Bocombra was crowded for the Prize Distribution.

The active and genial Superintendent, Mr.

James Twinem, to whose efforts we owe this fine

new Hall, was present. The Rev. W . F. Hayes

presided. After a splendid tea, games were

played and at intervals music and recitations

■were given. Mr. Twinem sang several of his

songs, which wrere much enjoyed and loudly ap­

plauded. Mrs. Twinem was also present and

kindly distributed the prizes to the successful

children. At the close of the evening the Rector

thanked Mr. and Mrs. Twinem and Mrs.

Mecaren and all who had helped. Mrs. Mecaren

is most kind and helpful at the Hall.

Edenderry Prizes-

This Sunday School. Morning and Afternoon,

is the largest in the Parish, and the annual dis­

tribution of prizes is a great and outstanding

event. The Hall was crowded and at tea the

children sat in their respective classes. After

tea. a very interesting programme was given

by the children and was greatly enjoyed by the

audience. The performers gave their pieces

with great taste and expression. Mr. Hynes

bad kindly arranged the prog] amme. The dis­

tribution of the numerous puzes followed. The

Sector, the Rev. W . F. Haves, Mr. M'Clements,

Superintendent of the Morning School, and Mr.

Harry Hynes, who superintends the Afternoon

School, all assisted at the-giving of the books.

All separated just at 10 o’clock. I t was well

that it ended then for the electric light failed

»11 over North Armagh at 10.5 p.m.

Carne Sunday School.

On Thursday, February 14th (St. Valentine’s

Day) Carne enjoyed its social evening. The

Hall was crowded as usual. Tea was provided

and games followed. Carne enjoys its games to the full. “ The Farmer wants a wife” is a

special favourite, and the “ Bone” was left alone

a good many times that evening. Some pretty

songs and recitations were given by the children

and much to the delight of all Mr. Gilbert Price

Produced “ McGurk’s Cow.” Mr. George Wilson, our capable Superintendent, was present

and also Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Wilson. Mrs. T

H. Wilson kindly distributed the prizes. The

Rev. W . F. Hayes having expressed thanks to

the helpers, the Doxology was sung and all se­parated after a very enjoyable evening.

Hacknahay.

Friday, Feb. 15th, was the day fixed for the

social at Hacknahay. I t was the third distribution in that week. As usual there was a crowded room.

Mr. T. E. Maginnis supervised every­thing. The tea was very good, and the programme was still better. Great trouble had

been taken and every item was first-rate. The

sketches and dialogues were very well done.

Hacknahay is distinguished for the good memories displayed

by the children in their recita­tions. Mrs. Atkinson, of Glen Eyre, kindly dis­tributed the prizes and also gave some splendid

special prizes herself to children who had not

missed a Sunday during the year. Miss Cal­vert very kindly gave each child a large juicy

orange as it passed out at the close of the even­ing. The Rector and the Rev. W . F. Hayes

were present and congratulated Mr. Maginnis

on the efficiency of the Sunday School.

Seagoe Distribution.

On Friday, Feb. 22nd, the distribution of

prizes for Seagoe Morning and Afternoon Sun­day School took place in Seagoe School.

There was a large attendance. Tea and cakes

were in abundance and full justice was done to

them. After tea, the children assembled in the

Senior Schoolroom, and an interesting pro­gramme of music and recitations was provided.

The Rector presided. The distribution of prizes

followed. Mrs. Dunlop, from Dublin, and Miss

Agnes Guy, Superintendent of the Afternoon

Sunday School, handed the books to the suc­

cessful children. At the close the Rev. W . F.

Haves and Mr. R. Scott spoke on the good work

done in the Sunday Schools.

Parish Register for February.

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized in the Parish

Church on February 2nd, 1935: —

Bell—William Kenneth, son of Joseph James

and Emily Bell, of Lurgan.

Sponsors— Margaret Jane Bell, Anne Jane Bell.

Harra— Beatrice, daughter of Victor and Ethel

Harra, of Edenderry

Sponsors Elizabeth Best, Ethel Harra.

Marriages -

Flannigan and Elliott—-February 23rd, 1935, ,

Richard Flannigan, of Upper Seagoe, to Muriel Moore Elliott, of Portadown.

Watson and Law—February 26th. 1935, Thomas John Watson, of Bcllydougan. Parish

of Knocknamuckley, to Caroline Louisa Law, of Edenderry.

Lynas and Freeburn— Marco 7th, 1935. Thomas Joseph Lynas, of Ltvaghery, to Violet

Freeburn. of Edenderry.

Burial.

Preston—-March 6th, Constance Preston, of Levaghery, aged 30 years. Interred at

Loughgall.

Seagoe Mothers' Union.

Miss (Dr.) Minford, of Ardmore. has kindly

consented to give a Health talk at the meeting

of the M .U. in Seagoe School on Tuesday,

March 12th. This will be very interesting and

useful. Tea will be provided at 7.30. At the

last meeting, held on February 10th, the mem­bers brought their needlework, and the Presid­ent. Mrs. J. H . Twinem, gave very interesting

readings from the Mothers’ Union Journal.

Those from the Parish who wish to join the

Mothers’ Union should send in their names to

the Hon. Sec.. Mrs. J. H . Twinem.

The careful reader will notice many changes

in our advertisements this month. We are glad

to say that oil our old patterns continue to advertise, but the form and contents of many of

the advertisements are necessarily changed.

This is all to the good, because the eye gets

quickly accustomed to the wording of an ad­vertisement and even a slight change in the

setting or wording will attract the attention of

the reader, and the advertisement will thus

fulfil its purpose. We claim the patronage of

our many readers for the firms which advertise

in our columns. Please say when you are about

to make a purchase-—“ I saw your advertisement

in Seagoe Parish Magazine and I made up my

mind to give you an order."

ITEM S

The road through Upper Seagoe has been

greatly improved and made much safer for

cyclists and motorists during the past month.

The steep camber at the side of the road has

been filled in and made level with the centre of

the road.

* * * *

Much regret has been expressed at the death

of Molly Smyth, only daughter of the Rev. J.

Smyth, of Ardmore. We deeply sympathise

with her bereaved parents and only brother.

The Rector preached at the Enthronement of

the Bishop of the Diocese in Lisburn Cathedral

on Wednesday, February 27th. at 3.30 p.m.

G .F .S. Social.— On Tuesday, March 5th, a

very pleasant social was held in Seagoe School.

The Men’s Bible Class were guests of the G.F.S.

25 Years Ago

MARCH, 1910.

In the issue of the Magazine reference is made

to the approach of the Easter Festival, which in

that year occurred on March 27th. On Sunday

evening, March 20th, the preacher announced

was the Very Rev. R. J . O'Loughlin, Dean of

Dromore and Rector of Shankill. Five Baptisms, one Marriage and three Burials are re­corded. A Confirmation is to be held on June

26th. Regret is expressed at the departure of

Mr. Leonard Twinem for the United States. He

had for some years been Superintendent of

Seagoe Morning Sunday School. A Sunday

School Flower Show is announced for June,

1910. The burial is recorded of Robert M Tully,

of Upper Seagoe, aged 93 years. The Old Seagoe Notes have details of the Seagoe Yeomanry.

Old Seagoe Notes.

The Old Church and the present Church.—

The Parish of Seagoe derives its name from the

early Irish Saint, Gobba or Gobanus, who died

A.D. 639. lie is said by Cclgan (Acta Sanc­

torum Hiberniae.— Vol. I. p. 750) to have lived

at the bank of the river Barm, at Teg-da-Goba,

or ' the house of Goba’ which, through the form

Suide-Goba, ‘ the Seat of Gcba,’ has been long

known as Seagoe. Gobanus, it is probable, had

his cell or oratory on the mound or fort which

ever since his day appears to have been dedi­

cated to the worship of God, 'and where the

ruins of the old church of Seagoe are still stand­

ing.

Tradition records that the first church erected

on this site was formed by studs, or rude posts

interlaced with hay-ropes, and covered with yel­

low clay. Towards the close of Elizabeth’s reign

the English settlers who accompanied Essex

here built a church which was destroyed after

a few years. No doubt it is this building which

is shown on the Plantation Map of 1609, stand­

ing here roofless, with a few trees around.

Again the English colonists repaired or rebuilt

the church, which was once more ruined in 1641.

Soon after the restoration in 1660, the church

was again rebuilt through the exertions of

Valentine Blacker, an ancestor of the Carrickblacker family, who died 17th August, 1677. at

the age of 80, and was buried in the church lie

had helped to rebuild. The church was enlarged

by the addition of a north transept in 1755.

Ninety years ago, as described it was a long-low building, about 60ft. by 22ft.. having a small

southern porch (built in 1701). a belfry on the

West gable, and was roofed with oak shingles.

I t had a small gallery at the West end. ascended

by a short flight of steps, inside the church,

near the porch entrance, and on which the Sex­ton, or his assistant, stood while ringing the bell

in the belfry overhead. The quaint old font,

afterwards removed to the new church, stood

under the gallery, near the stair foot. At the

opposite or North-west corner, a wooden en­closure, about ten feet by eight, known as the

‘ Dressing Room ,’ served as a Vestry.