May 1908

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

MAY, 1908.

THE EASTER VESTRY.

The meeting which takes place each year in the week following Easter Day for the election of a new Select Vestry was held on Thursday, April 23, in Seagoe School at 8 o'clock. It was preceded by a short meeting of the old Select Vestry which was summoned for the passing of the accounts presented by the Hon.Treas. Mr. W. R. Atkinson. The Rev J. E. Archer. Rector, presided, and after opening the meeting with prayer, the Minutes of the last Easter Vestry were read and confirmed. The chairman then addressed those present on the more notable features of parish life during the past year. Notwithstanding the great depression in trade an increase was noted in the Sustentation Fund, the Offertories also showed an increase and the contributions to charitable objects in every case showed an improvement on the previous year. Reference was also made to the fact that the average number of Communicants at each celebration was steadily advancing. During the year the vacancy in the Curacy had been filled by the appointment of the Rev W. R. Crichton, B.A , who had displayed much energy and zeal in his work. The efficiency of the Sunday Schools was also noted, and the diligent work of the Superintendents and Teachers was referred to.

The election of Churchwardens was then proceeded with, the Rector nominating as his Churchwarden Mr. J. H. Stevenson. Mr. Thomas Martin was unanimously elected People's Churchwarden. The meeting then proceeded to the election of a Select Vestry, but before doing so in accordance with the usual custom, three names were drawn from the members of the outgoing Vestry who would be ineligible for election for election this year, the names drawn were: Messrs. Robert Gracey, John Lavery and James Albin. The following were elected to serve on the Select Vestry for 1908-9:---W. R. Atkinson, Hon. Sec. and Treas, T. Atkinson, G. Calvert, Atkinson Costello, J. G. Gracey, W. Irwin, T. E. Maginnis, J. Monroe, J. Montgomery, T. J. Montgomery, D. Rock, and H. Stoops. For the office of Sidesmen the following were chosen :—Messrs. G. Calvert, J. Murray, C. Collins, and J. Twinem. Substitutes were also appointed to act in the absence of the Sidesmen, viz.—Messrs. J. Albin, T. Atkinson, D. Murray, and W. Flannigan. The meeting

concluded with the Benediction.

OUR NEW CHURCHWARDENS.

Mr. J. H. Stevenson, who has been appointed Rector's Churchwarden, has done splendid work since he came to reside in Seagoe Parish three years ago. He is Superintendent of Edenderry Morning Sunday School, and is also secretary to the committee of the Parochial Hall. Last year Mr. Stevenson obtained the highest number of votes as a member of the Select Vestry. Before coming to Seagoe Mr. Stevenson occupied a leading place in Ardmore Parish, being for many years a member of the Select Vestry and also Churchwarden.

Mr. Thomas Martin, who has been elected to the responsible post of People's Churchwarden, occupied the same position four years ago, and has for many years been a member of the Select Vestry. Mr Martin resides at Kilvergan and so may be said to represent the country end of the Parish as Mr. Stevenson represents the town end. The Parish is to be congratulated on having as Churchwardens two such excellent men.

Mr. T. Atkinson, B.A., who has been elected on the Vestry for the first time, will be a most useful addition, and we are delighted to welcome him amongst the officials of the Parish.

Mr. Hugh Stoops joins the Select Vestry for the first time. Mr. Stoops is Hon. Secretary of the Men's Hall in Edenderry and also of the Edenderry Men's Bible Class. He comes of a family long and honourably connected with Seagoe Parish.

OFFERTORIES FOR APRIL,

“What hast thou that thou dids't not receive?”

Morning Evening

£ s d £ s d

Apr 5---5 ^th Sun in Lent 1 10 2 0 10 7

“ 12---Sun next before Easter 1 1 3 0 11 0

“ 17---Good Friday 0 3 8 0 2 10

“ 19---Easter Day 4 1 5 4 0 9

“ 26---First Sun after Easter 0 18 5 0 13 5

Week days ________ 0 15 10

Total £7 14 11 £6 14 5

BAPTISMS.

"Ye have received the Spirit of adoption."

April 4th—Margaret Lilian, daughter of James and Annie Sands.

“ 14th—John, son of Thomas and Mary Jane Geddis.

MARRIAGE.

“I will perform my vows.”

April 4th—Ralph Wilson, Edenderry, to Annie Harris, Edenderry.

BURIALS.

“I am the Resurrection and the Life.”

April 11th—Elizabeth Stewart, Edenderry, aged 57.

“ 19th—William Hughes, Ballinacor, aged 80.

“ 26th—Minnie Preston, Lylo, aged 4.

LIST OF “WATCH” CARDS.

The children and others who took these little cards have done very well, as this list proves.

SEAGOE, EDENDERRY, CARNE, AND LEVAGHERY.

C. Montgomery, 7d; E. Hall, 6d; E. Hall, 3d; M. Holmes, 6d; E. Preston, 9d; A. Wilson, 1s; T. A. Johnston, 4d; M. Coulter, 5d; G. Watson, 1s; A. Murray,1s; E. Wilson, 8d; W. Hynes, I0d; M.

Dickson, 8d; Mrs Flannigan, 1s; J. Forde, 1s; V. Wallace, 1s; M. Killow, 4d; J. Steele, 6d; M. Allen,

1s; S. Allen, 4d ; M. Hawthorn, 6d; Miss Smith, 9d; K. Bleakley, 8d; O. Bleakley, 8d; C. Brown, 11d; W. J. Webb, 1s; S. Best, 6d; L. Guy, Is 2d; A. Richardson, 3d; V. Irwin, 1s; J. Porter, 7d; G.

Wilson, 1s; V. Walker, 6d; M. Wilson, 1s; A. Erskine, 2d; T. Smith, 3d; H. Killow, 5d; T. Ramsey, 1s ld; W. M'Loughlin, 1s; A. M 'Loughlin, 1s; M. F. Atkinson, 1s; S. Price, 1s; S. Gilpin, 1s; S. Caddell, 1s; S. Cordy, 6d; A. J. M'Murray, 1s; R. Hardy, 4d; J. Porter, 1s; L. Haire, 6d; L.Porter, 1s; A. Connolly, 9d; M. Lewrie, 2d; S. Dawson, 1s; L. Reid, 5d; M. Simpson, 1s; E. J. Forde, 3d; No name, 3d; J. Ruddell, 5d; W. Walker, 6d; F .Ruddell, 5d; W. Porter, 1s; L. Magee, 6d; M. Magee, 7d; K. Moore, 1s; N. Lavery, 10d; C. Livingston, 1s; F. Steele, 8d; J. Lavery, 1s; M. Allen, 6d; G. Livingston, 8d; E. J. Lavery, 1s; Mrs. Smith, 2s; K. Dunlop, 1s; L. M'Daniel, 1s; Misses Dawson, 1s; T. Metcalf, 6d ; B. Magee, 1s; E. Rainey, ld; S. M'Cann, 7d; A. Johnston, 6d; L. Roland, 1s; E. M'Cabe, 1s; O. Roland, 1s; R. J. Coulter, 1s; odd money, 3s 6d; M. Ruddy, 10d; E. Matthews, 1s; M. Watson, 1s ; S. M'Dowell, 3d; R. Wilson, 6d; F. Templeton, 1s; M. Rainey, 1s; M. Cox, Edenderry, 6d; J. Atkinson, 10d; S. Watson, 1s.

DRUMGOR.

L.M 'Clelland, 1s; G. Gracey, 1s; M. Livingston, 9d; E. Livingston. 8d; M. Dickson, 1s; T. Dickson, 1s; R. M'Kerr, 1s; R. Thompson, 10d; E. J. M'Kerr, 1s; S. Stevenson, 5d; J. Couturier, 1s;

E. Anderson, 6d.

HACKNAHAY.

E. McMurray,1s; M. M'Murray, 1s; J. Wilson, 1s; J. Wilson, 1s; G. Rogers, 1s; T. E. Maginnis, 1s; A. Black, 1s; G. Best, 1s; J. Dickson, 1s; S. Templeton, 1s; S. Wilson, 1s; S. M'Murray, 1s ; J. M'Neill, 8d; E. Browne, 1s; M. Thompson, 1s; M. Neill, 9d; R. England, 1s; J. Cooke, 1s; J.

M'Nally, 6d ; M. M'Cormick, 1s 4d; J. Thompson, 1s; W. J. Cunningham, 8d; J. H. England, 1s ; J.

M'Murray, 8d ; A. M'Murray, 8d; C. Sturgeon, 1s; C. M'Murray, 1s; H. M'Murray, 1s; H. Calvert, 1s; S. J. Thompson, 1s; J. Black, 1s; J. Bradshaw, 1s; T. Harte, 1s; M. Flavelle, 1s.

* * *

This is the season for sowing flower seeds. Brighten and beautify your homes by planting

flowers round them. There is a splendid selection at M'Gredy's, Portadown.

ITEMS.

The General Synod of the Church of Ireland meets in Dublin this week. We hope our readers will interest themselves in the reports of its sessions which appear in the daily papers.

The Choral Festival for Lurgan district will held in Maralin Church on Saturday, May 30 ^th.

Our parish choir is at present practising for it.

In connection with the recent Self-Denial effort, organised by the Lord Bishop on behalf of the Church in Belfast, some parishioners of Seagoe sent to the Bishop the sum of £8 7s 6d.

TEMPERANCE SERVICE. —On Sunday, May 10th, at evening prayer (7 p.m ), the Good Templars, Rechabites, and our parochial Bands of Hope will attend a special Temperance Service in Seagoe Church.

Those who are interested in natural history in the Parish should note the time at which our Summer migrants arrive. Last year the Cuckoo was heard first on April 24th, the Corncrake on April 27th, and the swallow on April 28th.

A Social and Musical Evening in connection with Seagoe G.F.S. will be held in the Parochial Hall on Thursday evening, May 7th. The second part of the evening, which is open to the public, will consist of Service of Song entitled, "The River Singers."

On Tuesday, May 5th, another most original entertainment will be given in Hacknahay School by Matthews' Minstrels, a talented family who give a splendid and varied programme. They have recently returned to Belfast after a most successful engagement in London.

On Monday, May 4th, a most attractive entertainment will be given in the Parochial Hall, Edenderry, by the members of Mr. Ardrie's Physical Culture Class. Two gold medals and two silver medals will be competed for. We will also learn by the competition who has reached the proud position of being the strongest man in the Parish.

We heartily congratulate Mr. Armstrong, of Eden Hall, on attaining his 89th year. Mr. Armstrong is, we are glad to say, in good health and spirits, and we feel that we express the universal sentiment of the Parish in wishing him many more years amongst us. Mr. Armstrong in past years held all the important positions open to a layman, being for some time Parochial Nominator of Seagoe Parish, and he is most highly respected, not only as a distinguished member

of the Church, but also as a successful pioneer of industry in the now flourishing and populous town of Portadown.

QUARTERLY RETURN.

CHURCH ATTENDANCE AND SCHOOL EFFICIENCY.

The Returns for the Quarter are very gratifying. The attendance of the children at the Parish Church has been very good, and we are glad to notice a very decided improvement in the knowledge of Sunday-school Lessons. We regret that the attendance of the children at the Wednesday evening services is not what we might expect, but we believe it will improve this quarter. The total number of points possible is 65 made up as follows :—Church attendance (including Wednesdays), 39; School efficiency, 26.

FIRST CLASS (over 50 points).

Lily Magee, Minnie Atkinson, Nellie Dawson, Sarah Dawson, Jemima Allen, Maggie Roney, Maggie Smith, Susan Allen, Eva Wilson, Ethel Preston, Maggie Best, Sarah M'Cann, Isabella Magee, Charlotte Greene, Minnie M'Cann, T. Smith, Agnes Wilson, Annie Grabam, Alfred Richardson, David Gates, Maggie Magee.

SECOND CLASS (over 45 points).

Maria Roney, Adelaide Murray, Annie Smith, Sarah M'Dowell.

THIRD CLASS (over 40 points).

Ellen Matthews, Maggie Allen, Bessie Dawson, Jane Dawson, John Dawson, Sarah Hardy.

AN INTERESTING LETTER.

Miss Amy Walker writes from Dresden, and in this letter tells us some interesting facts about that place. We are glad to hear that Miss Walker is quite well and enjoying her stay abroad.

"Everything here is very expensive in the food line. I did not see much of the country when I was coming here, as my train journey was mostly during the night, but I am told the country from

Flushing here is very flat and and uninteresting. To me it seemed to be very wet. The country I

travelled through in England (South) looked lovely, however. There were great fields with nothing

only cabbage in them and lots of strawberry fields, also something which I think must have been hops. In the streets here I notice some very funny things. I saw milk yesterday being delivered on a small cart drawn by a lovely big dog. The man was walking alongside holding the reins. They are greatly used here for drawing carts. Most of the men here wear capes like what women wear in Ireland only longer. The cab drivers wear black fur capes over their coats. I saw a hearse the other day and the driver had on a very big black fur cape, which made him look very like a big black water dog. Some men wear green velvet hats, all shapes and sizes. The men are nearly all very short and fat and mostly fair. A great many of them wear glasses. The trams are electric and much the same as our own. Foreigners are supposed to “tip” the tram conductors, as they are very badly paid here. We have had rain, snow, and sleet since I came. The flowers in the gardens are all covered with straw matting, so the winter must be very severe. On Saturday Fraulein Muller took me to the cemetery. It is wonderful to see the monuments there. Some of them are great white angels, life size, carved in white marble, One was a great slab of marble carved with pipes and everything belonging to an organ, with a lady playing on it and angels listening. Her fingers were on the notes, and you could stand for ages looking at it, the expression on the face was so lovely. I think it

must have been erected to a musician. On a great many of the monuments the bust of the dead person is carved, and on the graves of children there is usually the carved figure of a little child. In the centre of the cemetery there is a magnificent building in which the burial service is read. They do not take the corpse to church but have it there. The river Elbe flows past the cemetery; I saw it through the railing and wanted to go down to the edge, but Fraulein Muller would not let me go. She said if the weather was fine tomorrow she would take me for a walk along the edge of it. I am going to her house to spend the evening tomorrow. It is nearly an hour's tram ride, so I will see a good deal on my way. Their house is up on the hills, and down in the valley the river Elbe flows. I hope the day will be fine. The sky here is very blue, just as blue as one sees it on postcards. I was at the chief Roman Catholic Church this morning with Mrs. Ireland. The King was there. There was high Mass, and the music was wonderful. An organ and orchestra, violins, drums, &c., and the best solo singers from the Opera. We stood all the time, as to sit down would mean you were an R.C. There were crowds of Protestants there, and I saw some of them being checked for talking during the service. Mrs. Ireland and the others went to the American Church this evening. I think you would be rather interested to know that to take the tram from one end of Dresden to the other would take two hours. I will, if I can get any one to come with me, do it some day in the summer. Now I will not write any more tonight, as I expect to have a lot to tell you after tomorrow.

Easter Monday evening. I have just come back from Loschurtz and mean to finish my letter now. The day has been fine, and I enjoyed my visit very much. Their house is built on the hill, but so close to the Elbe that I threw a stone into the water just to make sure that it was really as near the water edge as I thought, I will try and get a post card view of it and send it to you, as I do not know how to describe it. You would imagine you were going up to the 'Big Stone' at Rostrevor, only instead of going up through thick trees there are beautiful villas. Of course it is thickly planted with trees as well. I saw the castle in the distance and the little Princesses out driving. They were beautifully dressed in white. Their mother is divorced from the King and has married again. We went up to the top of the hill in an electric lift or tram. It looks very funny running straight up a hill instead of along a straight line. When on the top one can see a most wonderful view of Dresden. It has 500,000 inhabitants. Berlin has 2 millions. So you see although Dresden seems very large to me it is small in comparison to Berlin. We had coffee out on the verandah which overlooks the river, and there were constantly pleasure steamers passing up and down, which made me think I was somewhere near Greenore. In the summer Fraulein Muller says they have military bands on the steamers. I want to mention here that I was so struck with the number of young gentlemen who had scarred faces that I asked the reason for it. Well they are students, and it is considered a mark of great honour to have a scarred face. The more marks the better. They fight with each other for the least thing to get their faces smashed, and the gentleman who has the best marked face at a ball gets the nicest lady for a partner.

OLD SEAGOE NOTES.

Here are some Baptismal entries taken from Seagoe Registers for the year 1697. It is remarkable how many of the surnames are still represented in our Parish Lists.

John, son of Jonathan and Elizabeth Murray, his wife, was baptised on Wednesday, ye 28th day of Aprile, 1697.

Elizabeth the daughter of Wm. Robinson and Elizabeth, his wife, was baptized on ye 2nd day of May, 1697.

Mary, daughter of John and Mary Abram, was baptized Aprile ye 11th, 1697.

Thomas, son of John and Letitia Bradshaw, was baptized March ye 27th, 1697.

Elizabeth, the daughter of George Juice (Joyce) and Jane, his wife, was baptized Sunday, ye 13th day of June, 1697.

The prevalence of the Christian names Elizabeth, Mary, and Edward is interesting, bringing us back to the days of Tudor Sovereigns when such names first became popular.

Apparently our Scotch friends visited Seagoe in old times just as they do still. We gather such from the following entry:--- “James, a sick child of James and Agnes Campbell, strangers, of the Parish of Moorkirk, Scotland, was baptized privately on Saturday, the 28th of Aprile, 1694.” This entry also shows the care with which the old Parish Registers were kept, and also the fact that the custom then, as now, was to have the children baptized in the Church unless in cases of sickness.

Here is a list of Christian names of children taken from the Registers between 1690 and 1695 ---Judith, Dorothy, Archibald, Ralph, Margery, Roger, Anthony, Armonell (girl's name, from Drumcree Parish but baptized in Seagoe), Isabel, Prudens (Prudence), Jonathan, Phyllis, Joan.

An interesting entry—" Two twins, children of Robert and Jane Friar, baptized privately December the 3rd, 1692, a third having died the night before."

The first mention of the great road from Guilford to Portadown occurs in the Registers on September 1st, 1779. In bygone days Portadown and Gilford were so insignificant that there was no direct road between them.

Moyraverty in old times was always spelt Monraverty, which in turn seems to have been derived from Mountraverty, which latter name is in the Registers for 1779.

The Moss Ramper (Rampart) was a well known boundary mark in Levaghery before the through road was made between Portadown and Gilford. It was sometimes called the 'Amper.'

No road cess was levied by the Vestry in 1783 owing to the severity of the times.

Many of our Parishioners have been interested in the Big Stone near Mr. David Kirk's house at Ballinacor. Canon Lett, who is an authority on Antiquities, believes it to be a stone marking an

ancient Burial place or place of Druid Sacrifice. It is a granite block, and as there is no granite in the

neighbourhood it must have been brought from a considerable distance. This Big Stone is mentioned in Seagoe Registers for 1781 as a boundary in the Road estimates. It is spoken of as “The Big Stone near Widow Ruddle's.”

THE ANCHOR CAFE.

This up-to-date Restaurant has just been renovated and enlarged and will now bear comparison with the best equipped establishments in the kingdom. A very large and spacious room has been set apart as a dining room for Girls employed at public works. Another large room has been furnished as a Men's Dining Room, and yet another room has been set apart for a most important purpose—the use of Wedding Parties. With such fine accommodation and reasonable charges the Anchor Cafe ought to be more popular than ever. We heartily congratulate the management on their enterprise and efficiency.

BAND OF HOPE.

During the past month we advanced a step further in our Temperance work.

Meetings were held at both Drumgor and Carne Church Hall, at which large numbers were present. We would gladly think that the attendance at these meetings is a sign that the young people of this Parish are awakening to the fact that alcoholic liquor is the most insidious and deadly foe that besets the highway of life. This sad truth was emphasized most strongly at both our meetings.

The Drumgor meeting, favoured by splendid weather, was held on April 7th. The number that assembled there on that occasion leaves no room for complaint on that score. The Hall was densely crowded, so much so, indeed, that many of those standing seemed to have difficulty in remaining stationary. It is to be hoped, however, that this inconvenience was condoned by the excellence of the programme which they had the opportunity of enjoying.

Songs were sweetly rendered by Tina and Hannah Anderson, Lily and Julia Porter, Willie Livingston, Addie M'Loughlin, S. Lynass, Dinah Holmes and Edith Anderson, S. Lynass and E. M'Kerr, Letitia Gracey. Recitations were contributed by F. Parkes, Dinah Holmes, R. Stevenson, Violet Porter, Lizzie Dickson, Tina Anderson, and "Ten Band of Hope Boys.” In addition to these, three admirable dialogues were done, "Cousin Maud's Visit" and “Band of Hope Spectacles” by R. Stevenson, J. Hoy, S. Lynass; and "Alderman Jones" by T. Hopps, H. Best, J. Best, S. Best, G. Rowland, F. Parkes, W. Maxwell, K. M'Mullan.

When this excellent programme, which reflected the greatest possible credit on those who had spared neither time nor trouble to ensure success, was ended, the meeting was addressed by the Rev. W. E. Hurst, rector of Moira, who dwelt for a short time on the words " Never Begin."

Encouraged by the enthusiasm of this meeting, we concluded our Carne programme, which was already in progressive preparation, and held a meeting there on April 24th.

The elements were not so favourable on this occasion, as a severe snow storm made the roads almost impassable for small folk,but notwithstanding this it is satisfactory to be able to record a good attendance. Those who braved the inclemency of the weather were amply rewarded by the excellence of the programme for the fortitude which they displayed.

When the meeting had been opened, the Rev. W. R. Crichton introduced a programme which gave decisive evidence of the attention that had been bestowed upon it. Readings were given by H.

Dickson, H. Murray, and H. Gilbert, all of which referred to the ravages of intemperance. The following also recited for us :—Gilbert Price, Theresa Ramsay, Eva Wilson, and “five girls.” Intermingled with these we had songs from Susan Caddell, Adelaide Murray, Mary A. Gordon, Maud Dickson and choruses by children of the Sunday School. Along with the foregoing items we enjoyed two dialogues, "Pawning a Husband" (Eva Wilson and Maud Dickson) showed the desolation caused in home life by drunkenness, "Band of Hope Spectacles" (A. Murray, Lottie and Olivia Roland) showed the advantage and necessity for all to be stalwart and true to their principles.

At the conclusion of the programme the Rev J. W. Johnston, curate of Drumcree, addressed the audience on some of the prominent aspects of the work. When the Rector had spoken briefly, he

closed, with the Benediction, a meeting which, from every standpoint, was most creditable to all concerned. Our best thanks are due to Mr. D. Murray, the efficient and energetic Superintendent of Carne Sunday School, who was ceaseless in his efforts to promote the welfare of the Temperance Organisation in that district.

OUR EASTER SERVICES.

Our Easter Services this year were very bright and hearty. The Church looked very nice with its garniture of Spring blossoms, which made us feel how nature unites with grace to impress upon us the lessons of Life and Immortality. The music was well sung, and the anthem "Christ is Risen" was excellently rendered by a large choir, under the careful training of Mr. H. Wilson. Mr. David

Murray took the tenor solo and sang it with much expression. The collections for the Parish Sunday

Schools (including card collections) amounted to £10 and some further subscriptions have been since received.

We acknowledge with thanks the receipt of £1 from Mrs Madden towards our Sunday School Funds.

The afternoon children's service was a very happy gathering. The children's hymns were brightly sung. An address on the word "Easter" was given by the Rector. The children offered their

“Watch” collecting cards at this service.

THE DAY SCHOOL.

Our Day School re-opened after the holidays on Monday, April 27th. There was a large attendance of children, who were very neat and tidy, and looked the picture of health after their holiday. The Rector was present as manager of the School, and after prayer introduced the new Principal, Mr. S. R. Chambers, who was heartily welcomed by the children. We anticipate a very successful future for the School under Mr. S. R. Chambers' capable management. We ask parents to see that their children attend punctually and prepare their lessons carefully. A new male assistant teacher will shortly be appointed.