May 1923

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

MAY, 1923

The Easter Vestry.

The Easter Vestry for the Parish of Seagoe was

held in Seagoe School on Thursday, April 5th, at 8.

The Rector presided, and the following appointments were made :—

CHURCHWARDENS :

Rector's—James Twinem, Lylo.

People's—John George Gracey, Balteagh.

SELECT VESTRY :

John Montgomery

Hugh Stoops

T. E. Maginnis

Thomas Martin

Robert Price

D. W. Murray

Moses Gilpin

Miss I. Atkinson.

Miss J. Collen

J. E. Lavery

J. H. T winem

Robt. M'Clements

Hon. Sec. and Hon. Treas.—Hugh Stoops.

GLEBE WARDENS :

James Twinem.

Robert M'Clements.

SIDESMEN :

Robert M'Clements, Samuel Rennix, James Twinem,

John G. Cracey, James Sands, R. Hoy.

Rogation Sunday.

Sunday, May 6, being Rogation Sunday, Intercession

will be offered in the Parish Church both at

Morning and Evening Prayer for a blessing on seed

which has been and is being sown. It is a very

ancient custom in the Christian Church to devote

this particular Sunday to that purpose.

Ascension Day,

Thursday, May 10th, being Ascension Day, the

following Services will be held in the Parish Church:

9.50 a.m.—Service for Church children attending

Seagoe Day School.

11.30 a.m.—Holy Communion.

8 p.m.—Evening Prayer and Sermon.

Whitsunday

On Whitsunday, May 20th, the Services in the

Parisn Church will be as follows :—

8 a.m.—Holy Communion.

11.30 a.m.—Morning Prayer, Sermon and Holy

Communion.

7 p.m.—Evening Prayer.

The offerings will be on behalf of Seagoe Parochial

Schools.

Trinity Sunday.

Trinity Sunday this year falls on May 27th. There

will be a Celebration of Holy Communion after

Morning Prayer.

Seagoe School Choir.

At the Musical Competitions held in Portadown

last month, April 11th to 14th, Seagoe National School

Choir carried off the Challenge Shield presented for

Competition among large Rural School Choirs. Mr

Rennix, the Principal of Seagoe School, had carefully

trained the children, and they sang with such

success that Sir Ivor Atkins, of Worcester Cathedral,

and Miss Editha Knocker, of London, who were

the judges, awarded them the Shield. Each child

also received a handsome Bronze Medal. Twenty

two children sang. There were two pieces of Music

in the Competition for the Shield-—1. "The Lonely

Knight" by Ethel Boyce, and 2. The Soldier Lad,'

a Folk Song; there was also an easy Unison Sight

Test. The total marks awarded to the Choir were

162 being 76 for the 1st piece, 79 for the 2nd, and 7

for the Sight Test. In criticising the singing of the

children he recommended that it should be faster,

with more animation, and with not so many

accents, but he added the Choir has done very good

work.

Mr. Rennix and the chilidren who formed the

Choir are to be heartily congratulated on their success.

Mr. Moffett has photographed them and they

make a very nice group.

Rev. W. T. Wilson,

Our new Curate enters on his duties in Seagoe on

Friday, June 1st. He will receive a hearty welcome

from the. Parishioners. Mr. Wilson comes to us

with high commendation from his Bishop (Rt Rev

Dr. Day) and his Rector (Rev. W. Willis.)

Our Summer Migrants,

Our Summer Migrants have arrived to time. The

following are the dates of their arrival as far as

has been noted by residents in the Parish—

Corncrake—Sunday, April 22nd.

Cuckoo—Sunday, April 29th.

Swallow—Tuesday, May 1st.

The dates are slightly later than usual.

Death of Mr. J. R, Macoun.

We regret to record the death of Mr. J. R. Macoun,

an old and generous friend of Seagoe Parish. He

passed away at the great age of 88 years, but up to

almost the last few days of his life he showed no

symptoms of old age or weakness. His upright

carriage and alert step were more like those of a

man thirty years his junior. Mr. Macoun was of a

most kindly and genial disposition, always ready to

help every good cause. He showed a very practical

interest in Seagoe Parish, and was an annual sub-

scriber to the Sustentation Fund and the Parochial

Sunday Schools. In wider Church circles he took

a prominent place, having been for many years a

member of the Diocesan and General Synods, and

of the Diocesan Council.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Wedding.

DR. W. B. WALKER AND MISS GATES PILSWORTH

A very pretty wedding took place at St. Mary's

Church, Swerford, on Tuesday afternoon, when the

marriage was solemnised of Dr, William B. Walker,

.son of the late Mr. Watson Walker and Mrs. Walker,

of Seagoe, Portadown, Ireland, and Miss Gates Mary

Leonard Pilsworth, second daughter of Mr. J. L.

Pilsworth, of Swerford Park. The Rev. Canon

Jones, Vicar of Banbury, officiated. The service

took place at one o'clock, at which hour the bride

entered with her father, who gave her away, and

escorted by her two sisters, Misses Norah and Betty

Pilsworth, as bridesmaids. She wore a gown of

ivory georgette, caught up on one side with a horseshoe

of orange blossom, and an old Limerick lace

veil. Her ornament was a necklace of pearls, the

gift of the bridegroom, and she carried a sheaf of

carnations and white heather. The bridesmaids were

attired in dresses of fuschia and apricot shot taffeta,

trimmed with silver lace, and they wore lace mob

caps and carried Victorian bouquets and silver bags.

The bridegroom was attended by Dr. Alexander.

Appropriate music was played on the organ by the

Rev. H. Gulley, and the hymn, "O, Perfect Love,"

was sung kneeling. A reception was afterwards held

at Swerford Park and the guests numbered about

fifty, being principally relations and close friends.

The bride and bridegroom left during the afternoon

en route to Spain and the Canary Islands for the

honeymoon. The bride's travelling dress was a tailor

made costume in antelope shade, with a hat of

apple green pedal straw. There were many useful

and valuable presents, including a case of silver

serviette rings and a silver toast rack from the

Parson's Street staff, and a case of antique dessert

servers from the staff at Swerford Park. A handsome

three tier wedding cake was supplied by the

firm of E. W. Brown, Parson's Street. The sugar

decoration included a harp and crown representing

Ireland and England and this idea was carried out

in the floral embellishment, in which shamrock and

roses were tastefully blended. A handsome bouquet

of carnations in a silver vase surmounted the whole.

Seagoe in the States.

We print here an interesting letter from Mr. Sam

Reid, who recently left the Parish for the United

States. He received a letter of Commendation from

the Rector to the authorities of the Episcopal Church

in the United States, and they have acted very

kindly towards him. The Rector is always ready

to give such letters to any Parishioner who is intending to emigrate.

81 Maple St.,

Jersey Citys N.J.,

9/4/'23.

Rev and Dear Sir,—Just a few lines to let you know

how I have made out since I left you. I am sorry

for being so long letting you hear from me, but I

wanted to be able to let you know something when

writing you, so when a person arrives here a stranger

it takes a little time to accomplish everything.

such as getting in touch with the Church and ministers,

and that is one thing that I have done.

arrived here on a Monday, and following day,

Tuesday, I went over to Jersey City and struck

work there, and am still there. i went to New York

one Saturday afternoon to see Archdeacon Nelson,

as you gave me a letter for him. He was not at

home, so that I did not get a chance of going back

to see him till two weeks ago, and he was at home

that time- He was very nice with me. When I told

him that I was stopping in Jersey he referred your

letter to Rev. Parker Manzer, Rector of St. Mary's

Church here, in Summit Av. I was there to see

him on Sunday morning, gave him your letter and

stayed for Morning Service. He is a fine man. He

proposed trying to get me a house in his Parish for

the time of my wife coming out; he also said that

it was very nice of you giving me a letter such as

you did for to have landing in a strange. country.

At Easter here there is a special offering in all the

Churches, and in this Church on Easter Sunday

morning the offering lifted was five hundred dollars,

Evening Service Seven hundred. During same week

there was four hundred sent in by members that

did not get to the services on Sunday, making a

total of sixteen hundred dollars—that would be

equal to three hundred and twenty pounds British

money, so I consider that is fine. I hope the year

has started well with you in Seagoe. When I was

in Church on Sunday morning I was thinking some

little about you, as Psalms and all are just same as

home, By the time you have these few lines the rest

of my care will be about to start the journey, as I

am sure you aware that wife sails on the 12th

May. I think I will draw to a close as this is about

all at present I get the Magazine every month.

see by it that Seagoe Church was at a great benefit

by a very useful and much needed present, sent by

Mrs. Alan Bell.

I close thanking you for all Past

favours that you did me before leaving.

Yours faithfully,

SAMUEL REID.

C/o Mrs. Williams.

The Rev. J. S. MacKcnzie, Rector of Cedar Springs.

U.S.A., and who formerly resided in Edenderry,

writes as follows, and sends us a very interesting

Parish Paper which is published in St. john's

St. John's Church (Episcopal),

Cedar Rapids, Iowa,

1010 4th Avenue,

March 30th, 1923.

My Dear Canon Archer—Enclosed please find another copy of my parish paper.

If you send me the Seagoe Magazine regularly I

shall be very glad to send you a subscription for one

year after receipt of the first copy.

With all good wishes for the good work in Seagoe

Parish—-Faithfully yours,

JAMES N. MacKENZIE,

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

The Choir Festival.

The Choir Festival will take place at Knocknamuckley

Parish Church on Saturday, May 26th, at

4 p.m. Seagoe Choir is taking part. The Preacher

at the Service will be The Most Reverend The Lord

Primate.

Congratulations.

We congratulate Mr David W. Murray on his cooption

as a member of the Lurgan Rural District

Council. Mr. Murray has many interests in the

Parish and its neighbourhood, and will, we believe,

make an excellent Rural Councillor.

Parish Register for April.

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized in the Parish Church

on April 7th, 1923 :

Kearns—Elizabeth, daughter of David and Ellen Kearns, of Killicomaine.

Sponsors—Mary Rachel Neill, Ellen Kearns.

CaddeIl—Samuel, son of Albert and Mary Caddell, Belfast.

Sponsors—Margaret Jane Caddell, Mary Caddell.

Marriages

Fulton and Clayton—April 3rd, 1923, George Fulton, of Portadown,

to Charlotte Matilda Clayton, of Edenderry.

Abraham and Sharpe—-April 7th, 1923, George Abraham, of Portadown,

to Margaret Anne Sharpe, of Edenderry.

Anketell and Magee—April 19th, 1923, John Edward Anketell, of Edenderry,

to Sara Magee, of Portadown.

Death.

Macoun—April 2nd, at Blalone Park, Belfast, John Ritchie Macoun, aged 88 years.

Burial.

Moore—May 2nd, Mary Moore, of Killicomaine, aged 5 years and 9 months.

ITEMS.

Mr. James Twinem has been elected a member of

the General Synod of the Church of Ireland, which

meets in the Synod Hall, Christ Church Place,

Dublin, on Tuesday, May 15th.

The Rev. Wm. Bentley, Rector of Jonesborough,

Conductor of the Choral Festival, will attend a practice

of Seagoe Choir in the Parish Church on Thursday, May 24th, at 8 p.m.

The Misses Dawson hope shortly to sail for Patagonia,

South America. Seagoe will wish them

God Speed on their journey, and much blessing in

their new sphere of Missionary work.

A large number of our young people have recently

emigrated to Canada and the States. The Rector

has written to the Bishop of Toronto (Rt. Rev. Dr.

Sweeney) asking him to interest himself in their

spiritual welfare.

Mrs. W. R. Crichton and her two little children

are on their way home from India. The Rev W. R.

Crichton hopes to reach England next October.

Will those who have taken Envelope Sets for the

Weekly Freewill Scheme this year please be careful

to bring their Envelope each Sunday to the Parish

Church and offer it with the Offerings.

Rules for the administration of the " Alan Bell

Memorial Fund " have been drawn up by the Select

Vestry.

The G.N.R. Signal Cabin at Amiens St. Station was

destroyed by a land mine last week. It is a most

important Cabin containing some 167 levers and is

in charge of Mr. M'Kerrs son of Mr. Moses M'Kcrrs

of Upper Seagoe. We are glad and thankful to say

he escaped injury.

The Rev. Canon Moeran, Reetor of St. Mark's Portadown,

gave an address to the Seagoe Mothers'

Union at their monthly meeting in Edenderry

Parochial Hall on Tuesday, May 1st.

A Drill Competition for the Local Scout Troops

was held in Seagoe School on April 28th (Saturday).

Moyallon Troop) came out first, and Tandragee second;

Seagoe was third. Two Non. Com Officers from

the Barracks: Armagh, acted as judges.

The Lord Bishop of the Diocese has expressed his

intention of holding his first Visitation for the Rural

Deanery of Shankill on Tüesday, June 12th.

A severe epidemic of Influenza cold has been

widespread in the Parish. Coming after the visitation

of Whooping Cough it has proved very severe. This

latter has claimed a victim in the case of Mary

Moore, of Killicomaine, whose sad death at

early age, is deeply lamented.

Mr. Hall, of Seagoe Nursery, has offered to make

some flower beds and to plant flowers in them in

front of Seagoe Church, and the Vestry have

accepted his kind and generous offer.

If you have a grave plot in Seagoe Churchyard

hope you will keep it neat, and if the gravestone

needs cleaning or repair please get it done. It is

right That the resting place of our dear ones should

never be neglected.

Do you attend the Service in the Parish Church

on every Wednesday evening at 8 ? It is held for

you. Give to God at least one hour during the week

"I have loved the habitation Of thine House and

the place where Thine honour dwelleth."

The death of Mrs. McCann, Of Joseph Street, is very

sad. She leaves a large young family to mourn her

loss. She passed away on April 27th in Lurgan

infirmary. Much sympathy is felt for her husband

and family

The Northern Parliament is now considering the

Education Bill. The crucial point is the safeguarding

of Bible teaching in the Schools.

Mr. McDowell, U.S.A„ formerly of Killicoinaine.

enjoyed a pleasant holiday in the Bahamas during

last winter

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

WITH THE "NINTH" IN FRANCE.

By Lieut. Col. S. W. BLACKER, D.S.O.

(Continued from April Magazine.)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18th.

I am such a success here the Gen. has induced me to stay another night! So I shan’t return till tomorrow; it’s really delightful here, and everyone so pleasant. I hear 14 young officers have joined the 9th since I came here. I view the prospect with dismay! Repington is here. Prince is evidently not very sanguine of an early peace. Two other C.O.s were asked here, but both refused. I believe they are all frightened of the Gen. B. Smith has gone and been succeeded by a man called Marshall, who seems a capital fellow. He was out with Scott [ in fact, Shackleton ] in the Antarctic. Had a poozy, restful night. A lovely morning, now clouding over. The Act. Asst. Provost Marshal, Tully by name, is in same Bn as Hay—Capt. Beith (10 A. and S. Hrs) [ 10th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders]. He says Hay has got a billet at home as M.G. Instructor. Mackenzie (old 93rd) was their Col. at Loos. He was not killed, only wounded; (he is Mrs. Lewis White’s brother-in-law). Most of his characters were ‘blends,’ but Bobby Lyttle was taken from life.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19th.

Just borrowed Div. car and going off to ‘Wipers’ [ Ypres] to see Dickie. Found Dickie at Pop [ Poperinghe], also had chat with John Hotham . Got back at 12.00 p.m. and found the 14 new officers awaiting me. They mostly come from 4th or 7th Battalions. One has been out before. Three R.C.’s! [ Roman Catholics ] Have just had a letter from O.C. Durhams saying they have found Atkinson’s body and buried it, and about 40 bodies of men, all of whom they have buried. Will you go and see Mrs. Atkinson, and I will not write till tomorrow. I suppose at the back of my mind there was a feeling of hope about ‘At.’ for the news of his having been found came as a shock. As I have said before, he and Charlie Johnston I feel more than any of them. I have been so closely associated with them for so long, and both were such splendid types of Ulster at its very best. The Battalion will never see their like again. There were no details, but they were all very particular about reading the funeral service.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20th.

An active day picking up the threads and arrears. Am favourably impressed with the 14 new subalterns—one or two valuable acquisitions. Watson, an expert Lewis gunner, was in Sussex Yeomanry. Am taking him on as L.G. Officer and Intelligence, while Ensor and Menaul are away. He will live at H.Q. as we are a small party, with Pratt gone and Padre away. We got the rain Friday and Saturday all right. Today is pleasant, fine, warm but a drying wind. I asked the Gen. if the King wrote, after the Push, and he said “Yes—a charming letter”, but he dared not show it for fear it should get into the Press. I fear it’s impossible to extract people out of the other Battalions. It’s hard enough to get one’s own back. We got into the line again tomorrow night. Walked round and had a long talk with Ricardo—he is only 300 yards from here. Pratt doesn’t go till tomorrow. I shall miss him greatly. The Gen. is immensely proud of the Div. He ran that show for the King the other day very well. There were men there from two other Divs. whose Commanders did nothing. When the King came to our Div. Gen. N. took hold of him, and as he came to each man he read out what gallant action he was there for, and the King chatted and shook hands with each. The Padre was quite pleased really, and greatly impressed with the way the Gen. did it. Ricardo, who was there, told me the same. When he got to the Padre he said “This, your Majesty, is the finest type of parson.” Have sent £10 to Lady Carson’s Fund . Fergie says he has sent you a list of men identified and buried by the Durhams. Any news we get will be sent to you.

MONDAY. AUGUST 21st.

The burning of the Reg. pay office must have caused hideous confusion, but I expect they are slack and tied up with red tape over the whole thing. Fine today and drying. Days are shortening. We can start relief half-an-hour earlier owing to the light. Just had the 14 young officers for 1½ hours, and I am most favourably impressed with them. Bright, intelligent, and keen, they strike me. But 14 is a large number to assimilate. I will write a line to the Reg. Paymaster and ask him to expedite matters as far as he can. I am sending officers and men on this recruiting tour who were over the parapet and did good work. I am feeling very low, and feeling this beginning again without their help is beyond me. The Battalion is all wrong, and no chance to get it right. I cannot even parade more than one Coy. at a time here, and they are all over the place, and all the best gone out of them. They say no chance of leave before winter.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22nd.

Relief quiet and quick, over by 10.40 p.m. We are a throng in the line. Each Coy. about seven [ officers]. Have Lutton and the new L.G. Officer at Bn. H.Q., and a man out from the Inns of Court O.T.C. for instruction for four days. Seems a nice fellow, called Buller, cousin of old Redvers. Spent 3½ hours round front line this morning. Depressing the amount of work to be done. Flies have got very bad here at H.Q. Air thick with them, and on all food. Have still got my £500 intact, but shall have to draw on it soon, I expect. Everyone else got through theirs I hear. Fine, warm, cloudy, today. Just heard from 11th Essex Regt. they have buried the following five men _____ [ names not recorded ]. Before leaving Somme area Div. said all surplus stores, private and public, could be left with them at a central dump. They have lost the lot, everyone saying. Luckily we didn’t send much of value, three telescopes at 10 guineas each is our mess loss, but perfectly iniquitous.

(To be continued.)