May 1918

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

MAY 1918

Our New Churchwardens.

We offer our congratulations to our new churchwardens—Mr. J. H. Stevenson, Rector's Churchwarden, and Mr. J. G. Gracey, People's Churchwarden. Possibly Mr. Stevenson is the first Churchwarden of Seagoe who received his nomination in a letter addressed to him by the Rector from the seat of war, but we live in unusual days. Mr. Stevenson has a splendid record for faithful work in Seagoe parish. He has for many years been a very useful member of the Select Vestry. His work as Superintendent of Edenderry Morning Sunday School has been of first-rate importance. In season, and out of season, in all weathers, and under all circumstances, he is to be found at his post. We know how much loved and respected he is by teachers and pupils alike. In civil life he occupies many trusted and responsible posts, but he can always spare time for the requirements of his Church and Parish. Mr. J. G. Gracey, elected by the votes of the general vestry to the office of People's Churchwarden is well-known to all in the parish. For a long period he has been a member of the Select Vestry. His work as a Sustentation Fund Collector has been done with energy and diligence.

On many occasions he has given most valuable help in work done at the Parish Church. His readiness to help where help is most needed is a conspicuous feature in his character.

For high christian principle and earnest work modestly and faithfully done, no others could surpass our two churchwardens.

The Outgoing Churchwardens.

We part with sincere regret with our outgoing Churchwardens, Mr. David Murray (Rector's), and Mr. Alan Bell (People's). Mr. Murray has been a very diligent Church warden, and has given freely of his time to the interests of the church. An important part of a Churchwarden's duty consists in the preservation and repair of the fabric of the church, and the conservation of the Church's property in Schools and buildings. Mr. Murray has done his duty well in this respect, and would have accomplished still more if it had not been for the restrictions imposed by war-time. Of Mr. Alan Bell, our out-going People's Churchwarden, we can say that no one in Seagoe Parish is more highly respected. Though comparatively a new comer, all the parishioners have come to regard Mr. Bell as one of themselves. His kindness of heart and practical sympathy have given him a place in the affections of all. Nor must we omit to couple with Mr. Bell's name that of Mrs. Bell and Miss Nicholl. For pure disinterested kindness and desire to help on every good work in the parish their equal is not to be found, For many a long day to come we hope they will have their residence among us.

A Chaplain's Death.

The Rev. J. E. M. Watson, C.F., lately Curate of St. James' Church, Belfast, reported killed in action, gave his first public address, as a student, at an Ascension Day Service in Bocombra Hall some years ago. He was very highly esteemed by everyone who knew him, for his kindly and gentle disposition. He had been two years at the front, and had, we believe, been awarded the M.C. for bravery. He was married only a year ago to a Belfast lady. His father is Rector of Charlemont, Moy.

New Principal of Seagoe School.

(Accidentally omitted from last Month's issue,)

Mr. S. Rennix, Principal of Bleary National School in the Parish of Knocknamuckley, has been appointed Principal of Seagoe National School. He has had a wide experience in teaching and is well qualified in every way for the responsible post to which he has been appointed. Mr. Rennix is not a stranger to the Parish, being closely related to several of our best known families.

Mr. S. R. Chambers.

Mr. S. R. Chambers who has for many years been Principal of Seagoe School has resigned that post on his appointment as principal of Ballymacarrett N. School, Belfast. Mr. Chambers has during his stay in the Parish assisted in Parish work in many ways. He taught the Girls' Bible Class in Seagoe every Sunday morning, and also the senior Boys' class in Seagoe afternoon Sunday School. The pupils of Seagoe will miss him greatly, and his many friends will regret his departure. He goes to a very important sphere of work in the city of Belfast, and the good wishes of his friends in Seagoe will accompany him as he enters upon new and responsible duties.

Death of Mrs. W. Turner.

Much regret is felt in the Parish at the death of Mrs. Turner, wife of Mr. William Turner, of Breagh, at an early age. Mrs.Turner was well known and much esteemed in the Parish, and her early death, just a year after her marriage, is deeply regretted by many in Seagoe and Portadown. We offer our sincere sympathy to Mr. Turner in his heavy bereavement.

Nature Notes.

Our Summer Migrants are all with us once again. The first Corncrake was heard by Miss Calvert, of Breagh, on Friday. April the 12th. Master Billy Blacker gets the honour of having seen the first Swallow on Saturday, the 13th April, at Carrickblacker. The Cuckoo was heard by quite a number of people at Seagoe on Friday, April 26th.

Golden Wedding.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnston Crossan, 141 Bisley Street, Belfast, have just celebrated their golden wedding.

On the 14th February 50 years ago they were married in Seagoe Parish Church, Portadown, and the quiet eventide of life finds them full ot pleasant memories. loving contentment, good health, and the possibility of many more happy years together. Mrs. Crossan was the daughter of the late Mr. Joseph Craig, of Kernan, Portadown.

Of their ten children some are in America, some here and in England, and some in a happier world.

One son-in-law has been at the war since it began, and has gone through the fierce days of Mons and since without hurt. A grandson has also been at the front for over two years. "Fit and well."

A lifelong total abstainer. Mr. Crossan has a fine vigorous outlook, fully shared and appreciated by his wife. "The Grace of God, little work, little rest," are amongst the things he holds essential. Full of interested observation and mental activity, he is a lover of nature. "I walk everywhere I go, and always to the country for pleasure." They are looking forward happily to his soon retiring from city work, and returning to the restfulness of country life, a prospect which added a further brightness to the eager fair young face of another grandson, who resides with Mr. and Mrs. Crossan.

Offertories for April.

Sunday mornings £5 1 4

“ evenings 1 10 6

Weekdays 0 2 4

£6 14 2

Died of Wounds.

We deeply regret to record the death of Norman Holmes, from wounds received in action during the recent severe fighting in Northern France. He was buried on April 1st (Easter Monday.) Norman Holmes was educated in Seagoe School, and had attended our Church and Sunday Schools from his earliest years. When the call of war came he volunteered to serve his King and Country, with that ready will which so many of our brave Seagoe lads have displayed in these days of national crisis. Last year he signed the War Roll Pledge, which runs as follows—"I hereby pledge my allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour and King, and by God's help will fight His battles for the victory of His Kingdom." Faithfully he kept his pledge, and on his last visit home it was noticed how truly he lived up to the standard of christian service. He has died a christian soldier's death on the field of battle.

We express our deepest sympathy with his bereaved wife, and with his parents and relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have been called upon to bear a msuccession of sad losses in recent years in the deaths of so many members of their family. Their son Harry was killed in action on July 1 ^st, 1916. Our readers will join us in this expression of deep regret and sympathy at the loss of one who did his duty so faithfully to God and King and Country.

PARISH REGISTER for APRIL, 1918.

Baptisms.

The following were Baptised in Seagoe Church on 6th April, 1918—

McCann—Samuel, son of William Henry and Phoebe McCann, of 13 James Street, Edenderry. Sponsors—Sarah McKerr and Phoebe McCann.

Finney—Margaret Elizabeth, daughter of James and Ellen Finney, of 82 Parkmount,

Portadown. Sponsors—Margaret Shanks and Ellen Finney.

MacAuley—Sarah Christena, daughter of Thomas Robert and Elizabeth MacAuley, of

Derryvore. Sponsors—Catherine Sarah MacAuley and Elizabeth MacAuley.

[We regret the following was wrongly inserted in our last issue.]

The following Children of George Brown Wilkins and Emma Jane Wilkins (Caddell), late of

Tarsan, were baptised at Noscon, Canada, by the Rev. S. Clowes, on 17th February, 1918—

Margaret; William George Edwin; and Joshua James Henry Wilkins.

Burials.

McMurray—April 3rd, Joseph Henry McMurray, of Ballynaghy, Aged 75.

Monro—April 7th, James Monro, of Belfast, late of Levaghery, Aged 70.

Barriskill—April 13th, Mary Barriskill, of South Street, Portadown, aged 75.

“I was in Prison, and ye came unto me.”

We feel it only necessary to ask the people of Seagoe to assist the men of the 9th Batt. R.I.F., who are prisoners, to meet with a willing response.

Our Prisoners of War Fund, since October, 1917, has been contributing £1 per month, per man, but now we must double our efforts, as the number of prisoners is unhappily growing daily (27 up to date). We appeal, confidently, on the 2nd Sunday of each month, by means of a special collection to be taken up at the church door before morning and evening service. This will enable each man to receive six parcels of food per month.

Further information will be gladly given by

EVA BLACKER, Hon. Secretary.

ISOBEL ATKINSON, Hon. Treasurer.

Seagoe Comforts Fund.

The details of the knitting done during the month are as follows—

63 pairs of Socks for the 9th R I.F.

4 Mufflers for the 10th R.I.F.

15 pairs of Socks for the 5th R.I.F.

40 pairs of Socks for the 14th Northumberland Fusiliers (Pioneers).

24 pairs of Socks for the 16th R.I.R. (Pioneers).

2 pairs of Socks for the Q.M.N.G.

1 Muffler for the Navy.

60 pairs of Socks still in hand for distribution, making a total of 204 pairs of Socks and 5 Mufflers.

Special thanks are due to Miss Calvert and the members of her G.F.S. class.

I. ATKINSON

Notes at the Front.

By The Rector.

War is naturally regarded as a dread evil, its cuelty, its destruction of life and property have in the present day, and in all past days marked it as a veritable plague. But there is another side of war which no one may overlook. It is the marvellous spirit of heroism and self-sacrifice which it engenders. A very brief stay in the present war zone reveals to the on-looker a record of self-sacrifice which all the centuries cannot surpass. Let me give you some examples which have come directly under my notice out here. The first instance which occurs to me relates to a Private in a Highland Regiment. He came up to me to the counter in our Church Army Hut and modestly asked for Cup of Tea and Two (Packets of) Biscuits. He was JUST LIKE THE ORDINARY JOCK in appearance, but in tone and manner there was an unusual refinement. I got into conversation with

him. He had been three years in the ranks, didn't want promotion, and for most of the time had been

up in the front line. I asked him what post he held in civil life. He had for 16 years been Secretary of one of the foremost of Scottish Scientific Societies. The call of war and duty had reached his ear. He must needs go and take his place in the battlefront for King and Country. A few days later I was walking in a little strip of garden attached to our Hut. It was an intensely cold day in February. I noticed a Corporal near at hand. The lines of his face suggested to me the man of thought and leisure. His whole bearing seemed different from that of the men around him. In the course of a brief conversation I discovered that my friend was A WEALTHY LIVERPOOL SHIPOWNER

who, when war was declared in August, 1914, had without hesitation or delay left the claims of business and home and had undertaken the risk and trials of war in the Spirit of ready sacrifice.

In conversation recently with a medical officer he said to me I wish sometimes a cinema picture could be taken out here, so as to be able afterwards to let the people at home and the world at large understand something of the sacrifice which this war has developed. And then he added—You have seen the Ladies (the "Fannies" they are called) who drive the Red Cross Ambulances to and from our hospital every day. Several of them are quite elderly. One of them told me she had been out in France for several years. She possessed ample means and had brought out with her her own motor. After driving it for two years it had become worn out through constant running over very rough roads. She was now driving an Army Ambulance Car. He knew by her hands that SHE WAS HER OWN MECHANIC, and effected ordinary repairs on the road herself. Every day she drove distance of at least 50 kilometres along roads which would test the nerves of the most experienced and strong-minded driver at home. Not long since in the course of a casual walk I joined in conversation with an officer—a Lieutenant. His story seemed almost like a fairy tale. I guessed from his manner that he had at one time been engaged in “a life on the ocean wave.” There was something of the genial breezy off-hand spirit which we associate with the sailor. He was a man of over 40 years of age. He told me that he had been A COMMANDER ON THE NAVY. When war broke out he determined to try his fortune on land. He enlisted as a Private in a Liverpool Regiment, and went to the front, where for two years he had taken part in most of the big engagements. He then accepted a Commission as Lieutenant, but he told me he was getting tired of the job, and intended to forfeit his Commission shortly and go back to the ranks.

One other example—A few evenings since an elderly man came to our Hut counter for the usual Tea, Biscuits, and Cigarettes. He was tall and strong and soldierly in his bearing. He said he was not well. He was suffering from Rheumatism in his arms and shoulders,"fortunately," he added, "not in the legs or I would have to give up." He was 54 years of age. In his earlier years he had served in a Cavalry Regiment. Leaving the army he emigrated to Canada where he started a prosperous business, and was there for eleven years. Then war broke out. He at once decided to join up. "When the Empire was in danger," as he himself expressed it, I felt I must help it out." He sailed with the first Canadian Contingent, went up with it to the front, was severely wounded, recovered, and was now engaged in important and diffcult military work behind the lines.

Such are a few (out of many) examples of the splendid spirit which has been brought to the surface by this war. Self-sacrifice truly finds its opportunity in the Empire's need, and with such heroes at our side defeat is impossible.

Items From France.

The first swallows to arrive on the Western Front reached the lines in France, on April 25th. At the time of writing (April 26th) the Cuckoo and Corncrake had not yet been heard.

There are very few singing-birds in France. Skylarks are plentiful, but it is said that the peasantry in France destroy the smaller singing-birds in order to protect the fruit and corn crops from injury.

Magpies and Crows are very numerous. The nests of the former are seen in the leafless trees.

Our people at home would be astonished if they could see how careful the military authorities are to prevent waste, and to cultivate every square inch of land in British occupation.

Fats of all kinds are most carefully saved. The average military cookhouse is now a model of strict economy and nothing is allowed to go to waste.

Every military group at the back of the lines worthily endeavours to have its pet "pig and pullet." so as to replendish the ration supply with occasional fresh pork and eggs.

The farmer in Northern France has an interesting proverb which says "The plough is tipped with silver, the spade is tipped with gold." Another version is— De spa is de goudmyn der boeren.

"The spade is the peasant's gold-mine." Spade culture is much more effective than plough-culture, owing to the lightness of the soil.

An interesting link exists between Ulster and Northern France, in the fact that the linen trade is extensively practised in both districts.

In England in 1650 no green vegetables were grown except cabbages. It was from Northern

France that the vegetables which we value most highly were first introduced into this country—peas, beans, turnips, carrots, parsnips, and cauliflowers. The only vegetable not introduced into England from Northern France was the potato, which Sir Walter Raleigh brought from America.

Among the sidelights of war there is always tragedy but not seldom comedy. What could be more tragic than the sight of a trainload of refugees herded together, not in carriages but in cattle-trucks, about 50 individuals, men, women and children, together with their belongings, packed for hours in a cattle-truck, with possibly several baskets of strongly smelling fish pushed in at a wayside station to thicken the atmosphere. The mere thought of it shocks the senses, and yet one is inclined to smile when the locomotive of the train is seen wreathed round with baggage of all kinds. A trunk is suspended round the funnel, a perambulator is seen dangling from the side, somewhere near the big driving wheels, and innumerable boxes and baskets are festooned all over

the body of the engine.

The peasants in Northern France are very thrifty. One frequently sees women and old men gathering what we would term "weeds," dandelions, wild celery and similar plants, which they bring home, and from which, as the writer can testify, excellent “potage” (soup) is made.

Our men at the front are very fond of their big guns. They make pets of them and give them all kinds of nice names. We have our "Gerty," "Lucy,”"Millie," and others. When these ladies speak, they do so with no uncertain voice, and the Hun attends to them.

A piece of shamrock planted by the writer outside his hut has unhappily succumbed to the attentions of the plentiful and persistent French worm.

Primroses are seldom seen in Northern France, but Cowslips abound. The Cowslip enjoys the warmer climate. The Primrose is a hardier plant and can flourish in a colder atmosphere.

In ancient days the tribes of Northern France were called the "Salice," or "Salie," a Latin name, meaning the "Leapers," from the facility with which they could jump across the many watercuts which intersect their land.

Local Items.

The Easter music this year was very good, and helped those who worshipped in the Parish Church to realise the brightness and joy of Eastertide.

Many changes have been made in our local train service. Fewer day trains and the cutting out of late trains constitute the chief alterations.

Conscription is welcomed in loyal Ulster, but it will not make much difference. Our men did not wait for conscription before they joined up. When the call came at the beginning of the war in the hour of the Empire's greatest need they rallied to the flag.

The Spring has been mild this year, and the crops are already well advanced.

Mr. S. Rennix has entered upon his duties as Principal of Seogoe Day School.