May 1910

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

MAY 1910

The Confirmation.

SUNDAY, JUNE 26th, 1910.

LARGE Classes are now being held through

the Parish in preparation for the approaching

Confirmation. Those in Edenderry and

Seagoe are especially well attended. We are glad to

notice the earnest spirit in which our young Church

people are preparing for the solemn rite. Decision

for Christ should be the keynote of all our classes.

The youth of the Parish stands at the parting of the

ways. We trust and pray that this Confirmation

season may be the turning point in many a young

life, and that the call of God will sound with

irresistible pleading in the hearts of our Candidates,

My son—My daughter, give me thine heart."

Some are still holding back from joining the Classes,

and notwithstanding the invitation of the Clergy and

the rule of the Church, they have not yet joined the

happy band of Candidates who are looking forward

with joy and hope to Confirmation. The lists will

close next week, and the names of those who have

joined will be sent forward to the Bishop for his

approval. It will be a sad thing if any of those who

might have joined will be missing from that list.

Will parents please press upon their children who

have not yet joined the Classes the necessity

of joining at once. We hope no one will be

deterred from coming, through any mistaken

ideas as to dress or such things. There

are many poor in the Parish, and we hope they will

understand that nothing special is needed in this way.

The plainer and simpler the clothing is, the more

suitable will it be in a service where the thoughts

and intents of the heart are the matters of utmost

importance. We are very anxious that adults who

have not yet been confirmed should come forward.

The Clergy will be glad if such will send in their

names to them without delay. There are good

many through the Parish who have joined the

Church through marriage or from other causes, and

who have been brought up in other denominations.

It is most necessary that they should obtain the

rights and privileges of full Church membership in

Confirmation.

CLASSES.

The attention of who have not yet

joined the Confirmation Classes is directed to the

following list :—

Tuesdays—Carne Hall at 8 0'clock.

Drumgor Hall at 8 0'clock.

Wednesdays—Special Services in Church at 8.

Thursdays—Edenderry Hall 7.30 (girls), 8.15 (boys).

Hacknahay School at 7-30.

Fridays—Seagoe School at 8.

Sundays—Adult Class in Church at 4.15.

Offertories for April.

Thy prayers and thine alms have come up for a memorial

before God. "—Acts x. , 4.

Morning. Evening.

April 3rd.—1st S. aft. Easter £l 5 10 0 6 1

10th.—2nd 1 4 10 0 10 6

17th. —3rd 1 6 7 0 11 9

24th. —4th 0 19 0 0 10 8

Week-Days 0 8 4

--------------------- --------------------

Total, £4 16 3 £2 7 4

Baptisms.

A solemn vow, promise, and profession " (Baptismal Service).

April 2nd. —Florence, daughter of Alexander and Jane Eliza Hewitt.

„ —Eveline, daughter of Alexander and Annie Thornton.

Burials.

Them also which sleep in Jesus, will God bring with Him."

April 8th.—Florence Hewitt, Tamnificarbet, aged 6 weeks.

April 10th.—Martha Allen, Balteagh, aged 79 years.

April 16th.—William John Gracey, Edenderry, aged 50 years.

April 29th—David Forde, Edenderry, aged 16 years.

A Sad Accident.

A very sad accident occurred on the evening of

Friday, April 1st, by which one of the most promising

and popular of our Seagoe lads lost his life.

Wilson Guy, of Seagoe, had joined the navy some

years ago, and had risen to the position of Chief

Stoker. He was serving on H.M.S. Black Prince,

stationed at Sheerness. The evening of April 1st

was stormy, and through some accident the poor

boy slipped off the boom, and in falling struck the

launch which was anchored beside the ship. He fell

into the rapidly flowing tide, and although every

effort was made to save him he disappeared and was

drowned. There was great grief on board the ship

when it became known, and for four hours all hands

tried to find the poor body, but without avail.

Captain Barton, the Captain of the ship, himself an

Irishman, wrote very touchingly regretting the loss

of so popular a member of his crew. The deepest

sympathy has been expressed for his sorrowing

parents and sisters. The Misses Guy are foremost

amongst our Church helpers, and their many friends

have felt deeply for them in their sad loss. We pray

that God may comfort and sustain the bereaved ones

in their great affliction. Thy way is in the sea, and

thy paths in the great waters, and Thy footsteps are

not known."

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Band of Hope.

This month we have to draw our readers attention

to the Closing Temperance Meeting of the Session.

It was held in Edenderry Parochial Hall on April

8th, commencing at 8 p.m. A pleasing feature of

the occasion was the good attendance of members of

all ages, shewing that enthusiasm is not flagging.

When all had joined in the opening prayer, the

chairman proceeded to call attention to recent

statistics which prove that 55 per cent. of the population

are drinkers, and that the amount spent on an

average per head is £6 5s per annum, a sum which

would probably be found useful in most homes for

providing some of its necessaries of life. After this,

we enjoyed songs sweetly rendered by some of our

juniors, songs and duets by Miss Armstrong, and Mr.

David Murray, a recitation by James Killow, and a

dialogue by Charlie Killow and George Watson.

Next we had a dialogue called " Paddy's Pledge "

which evoked loud and prolonged applause, and

provided admirable instruction. It lasted at least 30

minutes. Our thanks are due to Misses Irwin

Preston, and Martin, and to Messrs. R. Montgomery,

and McKittrick, who represented the various

characters.

An address having been given by Rev. J. W.

Johnston, in which he alluded to the influence of

children, and their ability to aid Temperance Work,

votes of thanks were passed to Miss Armstrong and

all who had assisted at all our meetings, and a most

enjoyable meeting was closed by the chairman

pronouncing the Benediction.

Ascension Day

Thursday, May 5th, will be Ascension Day. On

that day we call to mind one of the greatest facts in

our Lord's life, His ascension into Heaven.

We hope that many will spare time on that occasion to come

to the House of Prayer. The East Window in

Seagoe Church ought to impress upon all our

worshippers the reality of that solemn event. Services

will be held in the Church as follows on Ascension

Day

9.50, Service for the Church Children attending

Seagoe Day School.

11.30, Morning Prayer, Sermon and Holy Communion.

8, Evening Prayer and Sermon.

The three days preceding Ascension Day are called

Rogation Days or Days of Asking. It is the time of

the year specially set apart for asking a, blessing from

God on the seed sown in the fields. Our farmers,

and others as well, should on these days offer up

special petitions to God that He will bless their sown

fields. They will find a special prayer in the Prayer

Book to be used on Rogation Days. It is near the

f' Prayer for all sorts and conditions of men."

Whitsuntide.

Whit Sunday falls this year on May 15th. It is

one of the great Festivals of the Church, and on it

we commemorate the gift of the Holy Spirit on the

Day of Pentecost. This festival should be very

specially observed in the Parish this year owing to

the near approach of Confirmation. The parents and

sponsors of those who are preparing for Confirmation

should not fail to be present at Public Worship and

to join in Holy Communion, preparing especially for

the gift of the Spirit on those who will be confirmed.

Services on Whitsunday—8 a.m. Holy Communion,

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

Communion, 7 p.m., Evening Prayer and Sermon.

Men's Society.

It is proposed to start a branch of the newly

formed Church of Ireland Men's Society in the

Parish immediately. The rule of membership is

Prayer and Service ; Members must be Communicants

and over the age of 21, and there are Associates

as well, who are not entitled to full membership by

reason of age or otherwise. The rules of the

Society have been drawn up by the Bishops of the

Church of Ireland.

Hacknahay Day School,

This School is going ahead. It is most efficient as

an educational instrument in the District. The

Principal Teacher of Moyallon School having resigned,

the National Board have agreed to consider its

claims. When the case of Hacknahay comes

consideration in Dublin we shall have the satisfaction

of feeling that the residents of the district are

unanimous in their desire that this School should

receive a grant from the Board.

Quarterly Returns.

CHURCH ATTENDANCE AND EFFICIENCY CARDS.

PRIZES (FULL MARKS).

Ethel Ruddell, Joseph Ruddell, James Ruddell.

FIRST RANK (60—65 pts).

Sarah Dawson 63 ; Jemima England 62 ; Jemima

Allen 61 ; Sophia Webb 61 ; Bessie Dawson 61,

SECOND RANK (55—60 pts.)

Isabella Magee 59; Arthur Allen 58; William

J. Wilson 56; Sophia, Bradshaw 55.

THIRD RANK (50—55 pts.)

Minnie Allen 53; Maggie Magee 52 ; Adelaide

Murray 52 ; Thomas England 52 ; Joseph Wilson 52 ;

Maggie Bradshaw 52; Maggie Smith 52 ; Maggie

Lewie 51 ; Theresa Ramsey 50 ; Minnie Lewie 50 ;

Jennie Dawson 50; Leonard Haire 50; Henry

Dickson 50.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Penny Collecting Cards,

The following have been received since last issue of

Magazine :—

Rachel Stevenson 1/-; Ethel Preston 1/- ; K.

Blakely 6d; R. McKerr ; M. Hopps 1/2; Alice

Best 1/-; Maggie Maxwell 4d ; Hettie Wright 6d ;

Ethel Reid 1/-; T. Reid 4d; L. Guy 1/-; W.

McMullan 1/-; L. Gracey 1/-; K. Moore 1/; May

Best 1/3; Margt. J. Best 1/3 ; J. Chambers 8d; L.

Lewie 7d; M. Johnston 1/3; Minnie Lewie 1/- ;

Maggie Lewie 1/- ; Ja;s. Lewie 1/- ; John McDowell

1/-; Susan McDowell 1/-. Some names from

Hacknahay Sunday School are omitted from this list

but will be acknowledged in our next issue.

A Clothing Fund,

A great deal of good could bc done in the Parish if

some of the Parishioners who are blessed with this

world's goods would from time to time entrust sums

of money to the Parish Clergy for the part purchase

of Clothing for the poor. In the course of Parish

visitation the Clergy continually come across cases

where children in large families have to remain away

from Sunday School or Church for considerable

periods because their clothes have got worn out and

the parents cannot afford to get them a new suit or a

new dress. Some help given at such a time is a great

advantage. It is only necessary to give part of the

sum required, and of course great care is necessary

that such help should only be given in really deserving

cases. We commend this matter to those who are

anxious to help their poorer brethren in a practical way.

Children's Flower Show,

Nearly one hundred pots of Seed and Plants have

been purchased by the Parish Children for competition at the Flower Show in August.

It was a pretty sight to see the children hugging their flower pots on

the day they were distributed. They must take great care

not to water the seeds too much or to leave them in

an unsheltered place, and they must be careful not to

let the baby or the pussy cat knock the flowers over.

They are very bad gardeners. Already we have heard

of one of the flower pots being knocked down and

broken by a household cat who wasn't fond of flowers.

We wonder are the seeds coming up yet. The

geraniums are sure to blossom before long. Nice

prizes have been offered for the children who send in

the best flowers to the show.

Nature Notes,

A great deal of interest was taken in the Parish

last month to see who would be the first to hear the

Corncrake and Cuckoo, or to see the Swallows and

Butterflies. Here is the result as far as we can

ascertain it. April 13th, Corncrake first heard by

Mark Hardy.

April 14th, Swallow first seen by James Killow,

Levaghery.

April 26th, Cuckoo first heard at Seagoe.

Butterflies have been seen in many places since

April 4th.

Items.

The Rev. T. W. E. Drury, Rector of Rostrevor,

preached in the Parish Church on Wednesday, 27th

inst.

The Lurgan Choral Festival takes place in Ban-

bridge Parish Church, on Saturday, May 14th.

Seagoe Choir is taking part in it.

On Friday, April 22nd, a " black shower " fell in

Portadown and Seagoe District. The sky was very

dark and heavily laden with Lancashire smoke.

The roads in Seagoe Parish have been recently

very much cut up by heavy traction engine traffic

It is time the owners were made to pay for the

damage.

Miss Maude Dickson has been appointed Organist

at Tamnificarbet. It will be a great improvement to

have music in the services there.

Several new members have joined the Sunday

Morning Bible Classes. Mr. Chambers' class has

recently largely increased in numbers.

Flowering plants have been placed in the windows

of Seagoe Day School.

Seagoe Sunday School Excursion is fixed for

Thursday, June 16th. Warrenpoint, the ever

popular resort, is our destination. We hope for

" Seagoe " weather.

The Rector has received several newspapers and

postcards recently from Seagoe folk across the ocean.

We hope some of our people will attend the Special

Week of May Meetings in Belfast, beginning on

Monday, May 9th. An attractive programme has

been issued.

A Belfast gentleman flew across Lough Neagh last

week in an Aeroplane.

Our new Churchwardens have got to work. Mr.

Collins is a son of a very faithful Churchman of past

days, Mr. James Collins, of Kernan. The People's

Churchwarden, Mr. Thos. Reid, is also the son of a

great supporter of Seagoe Church in a past

generation, Mr. Reid, of Tarson. It is a good thing to see

the sons following faithfully in their fathers' steps.

The hedge around Seagoe School has been put

into good order by two members of the Select Vestry

Messrs. Calvert and Gracey.

When will we have an Infirmary in Portadown

instead of having to send all our sick people miles

away to Lurgan? The money expended on the care

of the Portadown sick people in Lurgan could be

much better spent in Portadown and would benefit

the town.

We are glad to notice a, movement for providing

more and better house accommodation for the working

classes in Portadown. There is at present a

great deal of most unhealthy overcrowding in the

working men's houses. Large families frequently

occupy small unventilated dwellings.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Now that business is booming in Portadown and

neighbourhood, workers should open an account in

the Post Office Savings Bank. A small sum put by

each week would soon mount up to a substantial

amount. We know of a labouring man in Belfast

who has built a street of houses through the exercise

of thrift.

Two of the girls in Seagoe School Cookery Class

are now able to bake all the bread required for use

in their homes. Others can make rice puddings,

bread puddings, scones, and soda bread. This proves

how useful it is for our girls to attend the Day School

Cookery Class.

The Archdeacon of Dromore (Ven. E. D.

Atkinson, LL.B.), who is Rural Dean of Shankill,

inspected Seagoe Church, its furnishings, Service

Books, Communion Plate, and also the fabric of the

Church last week. It is the duty of the Rural Dean

to send in each year to the Bishop a statement of

the condition of each Parish Church in his Deanery.

The offce of Rural Dean is one of the most ancient

in the Church of Ireland. They succeeded the old

tribal and Village Bishops when Diocesan Bishops

were established in Ireland in the twelfth century.

Old Seagoe Notes.

Seagoe Infantry, 1809.—We continue our

extracts from the standing orders for 1809.—The hair

is to be worn neatly cropped agreeable to his Majesty's

orders, the cap well put on and the tuft clean. Each

man is to be provided with a black stock and the

neck of the shirt is not to appear above it, being

contrary to his Majesty's orders. Talking in the

ranks is expressly forbid, any man guilty of this will

have his pay for that day stopped. The Cloathing is

to be kept as clean as possible. The cape, cuffs, and

breeches may be made a good colour by dusting them

well with pipe-clay and whiting and a small addition

of powder-blue. The Commanding Officer hopes

that an unanimous zeal for duty will pervade the

whole corps, and that every member will give his

utmost exertions towards bringing the Seagoe

Infantry as near perfection as the nature of the

Yeomanry Service will admit.

Seagoe in 1804.—It is interesting to recall in

connection with the one hundredth anniversary of the

death of the Rev. George Blacker, the first mention

made in Seagoe Records of the building of the

present Church. The first record of an intention to

build a new Church occurs in the Vestry Minutes of

April 30th, 1801.

It runs as follows :—" A balance

of €40 5s 3d being in the hands of the Rev. George

Blacker, Vicar, it was agreed that this sum shall be

laid out along with other money for the repairs of,

of building a new Church, as may hereafter be

approved of and appear necessary to the Parishioners,

At a, Vestry held on September 3rd, 1805, it was

agreed that the sum of Twopence per acre be levied

and collected off the Inhabitants by Mr. William

Overend and Mr. Samuel Huddle, Churchwardens of

said Parish, and by them when collected given into

the hands of the Rev. George Blacker to be laid out

in building a new Church or repairing the present

Church of Sego as the Parishioners hereafter shall

think proper, and the Cross Roads for this year shall

lye over as they are.

The Rev. George Blacker.—Next Sunday, May

1st, will be the one hundredth anniversary of the

death of the Rev. George Blacker who passed away

to the deep regret of the people of Sego on May 1st,

1810, at the early age of 46. He was appointed

Vicar of Sego by Faculty, May 20th, 1796, so had

been Vicar just sixteen years at his death. He had

been educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and obtained

his degree of Bachelor of Arts in the year 1785. He

held the united Parishes of Banagher and Dungiven

along with the Vicarage of Sego, but resided here in

the Rectory. He was the son of William Blacker,

Esq., of Carrick. His mother was Letitia, daughter

of Henry Cary, Esq., of Dungiven Castle, Co. Derry.

He was one of a family of twenty-one children. His

eldest brother was the Very Rev. Stewart Blacker, of

Carrick, Dean of Leighlin, and later Rector of Seagoee

The Rev. Canon Blacker is a nephew of the late Rev.

George Blacker. The Rev. Richard Olpherts who

was Curate of Seagoe under the Rev. George Blacker

was his nephew, being his sister's son. Mr. Olpherts

initials 'c R.O." are inscribed on the stone let into tho

side wall of the Church tower.

CHURCHWARDENS OF SEAGOE (Continued) :—

1700—Robert Thomson.

Thomas Gilpin.

1701—William Corner, of Mointoghs.

Ralph Wilson, of Levaghery.

1702—John Mathers, of Drumgor.

Thomas Workman, of Killykomaine.

17()3—Antony Metcalf, of Sego.

Henry Ogle, of Drumgask.

1704—Robert Wilson, of Derryenvir.

Valentine Dines, of Tanafyglasny.

1705—Valentine Harrison, of Moyraverty.

John McKnight, of Knockramer.

Townlands of Seagoe.—Balteagh means the

town of the habitation of the Ford or adjoining the

Ford.

Bocombra is said to mean The Hut of Companionship,

or according to Dr. Todd, The Hut at the

Meeting of Streams. Dr. Joyce, the famous Irish

scholar, says the prefix ' Bo ' means a cow.

Breagh according to Lt. Col. Blacker means an

eminence or hill with level top, but Joyce derives it

from Bre-ach, a Wolf.

Carne is name of frequent occurrence and means

a heap of stones.

Carrickblacker.—The prefix Carrick is Irish for

a ford or weir as e.g. Carrick-on-Shannon the ford or

weir on the Shannon. The name therefore means

Blacker's ford or weir.

Clanrolla is one of the prettiest of our townland

names and has also a pretty meaning—the Meadow

Recess or more literally The Hollow of the Swathe.' ,

This latter is the meaning assigned to it in Lt. Col.

Blacker's MS. Notes on Seagoe.