November 1910

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

NOVEMBER, 1910.

The Winter Session.

THE approach of Winter always brings with

it the re-opening of classes and the

multiplication of those Social Meetings

which do so much to draw together the

various districts of the Parish, and to cement that

feeling of friendship and brotherhood which are so

necessary to the well-being of every Parish. Several

new departments of work are being opened up this

year. A Communicants' Union is being organised to

bind together in closer fellowship those who regularly

attend Holy Communion. The recent Confirmation

of a large number of our young people in the Parish

seems to afford a natural opening for the formation

of such Unions. Such an organisation ought to provide

an opportunity not alone for deepening the spiritual

life of our Communicants, but also for instructing them

in the meaning and history of the service of Holy

Communion. A Meeting will be held in Edenderry

Parochial Hall on Thursday, November 10th, at 8

o'clock. The formation of a branch of the Men's

Society is also a new feature in our work. There is

a great need of some organised influence to bring

into touch bhe various branches of work among men

at present existing in the Parish. A notice regarding

the C.I.M.S. will be found elsewhere in this issue.

A new Bible Class for Men is being opened in

Bocombra District by Mr. James Twinem, on Tuesday,

November 8th. The Class at Tamnificarbet on

Tuesday evenings is attended by large numbers of

Men, and the Hacknahay Class on Thursdays is also

very successful. The Drumgor Men's Class will open

next week. The G.F.S. begins its work next week in

variou.s centres, and the Band of Hope has already

had itd opening meeting. May it be said of all these

efforts " Not unto us O Lord, not unto us, but unto

thy name give the Praise."

C.I.M.S.

On Thursday, November 17th, Captain Watson,

Secretary of the C.E.M.S. the great English Men's

Society, will hold a Conference in St. Mark's

Parochial Hall, Carleton Street, at 3-30, to explain

the rules of the Society and answer questions regarding

its organisation. On the same evening a Public

Meeting of Churchmen will be held in the same place

at 8 0'clock at which Captain Watson will speak.

The men of Seagoe Parish are invited to attend the

evening meeting.

On Tuesday, November 22nd, Public Meeting for

Men will be held at 8 in Seagoe School in connection

with the formation of a branch of the C.I.M.S. in the

Parish.

Baptisms

£They were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. "

Oct 1st —Anna Beatrice, daughter of John and Sarah Jane Weir.

„ —Thomas, son of Thomas and Anne Elizabeth Freeburn.

„ Jane, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Sprint.

„ —Elizabeth Agnes, daughter of John and Elizabeth Wright.

„ —Lavinia, daughter of William John and Martha McCrory.

„ —Henry, son of Isaac James and Agnes Agatha Ellis.

Marriages,

“Till death us do part."

Oct. 11 th.—Samue1 McClure, Tamnificarbet, to Elizabeth Mary Bedford, Seagoe.

12th.—Thomas Grimley, Portadown, to Elizabeth Laverty, Edenderry.

Burials.

“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is Death."

Oct. 8th—Matilda Best, Ballyhannon, aged 75 years.

21st —Lawrence Mitten, R.I.C., Edenderry, aged 31 years.

28th—Elizabeth Pen!land, Garvaghy, aged 45 years.

Death of Constable Mitten.

It is with feelings of sincere regret that we announce

this month the death of Lawrence Mitten,

Constable R.I.C., who had for the past five years been

stationed at Edenderry, and who during his residence

in Seagoe Parish, had won the affectionate regard

of all with whom he came in contact. We should

like to speak of him first as a devout member of the

Church of Ireland who never failed to attend his Parish

Church, who knelt regularly at the Holy Table, and

who in every possible way helped in the work of the

Parish. We shall sadly miss him from our services

and Church gatherings. But in the wider sphere of

social life he had also won the esteem of all classes

and creeds. His gentle manner, his bright smile, his

boyish frankness, won all hearts and made him most

popular, not only with his comrades in the R.I.C.,

but with the community in general. We had hoped

that after his recovery from a serious illness some

months ago he had many years of useful life before

him, but a sudden relapse brought about a fatal

result on Thursday, October 20th. His funeral from

Lurgan on the following day was attended by a large

gathering of the R.I.C. from Lurgan and Portadown.

The interment took place at Ballyconnel, Co. Cavan,

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

his native place. We offer our sincerest sympathy

with his aged father and with his other relatives.

The noble christian example of Lawrence Mitten will

be long cherished in the Parish of Seagoe.

We hope that it may be possible to have some

permanent memorial of his worth in the Parish

where he spent his last years. " The memory of thejust is blessed."

Offertories during October

Morning. Evening

Oct 2^nd 19^th S. aft. Trinity £1 14 3 £0 5 10

Oct 9^th 20^th S. aft. Trinity 1 7 4 0 11 10

Oct 16^th 21^st S. aft. Trinity 1 3 5 0 12 11

Oct 23^rd 22^nd S. aft. Trinity 1 6 3 0 8 0

Oct 30^th 23^rd S. aft. Trinity 5 18 11 3 9 6

Weekdays 4 17 11

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

Total, £11 10 2 £10 5 2

Church Attendance & Efficiency Cards.

FIRST CLASS (55 points and over).

Bella Magee, 63 ; Bessie Dawson, 62 ; Minnie

Allen, 61 ; Maggie Magee, 61 : Thos. England, 61

Jennie England, 60.

SECOND CLASS (50 points and over).

Sarah Dawson, 54 ; James McKeown, 54 ; Maggie

Smith, 52; Jane Dawson, 50; Clara Holland, 50 ;

Sophia Bradshaw, 50.

THIRD CLASS (45 points and over).

Maria Magee, 48 ; Mary J. Best, 47 ; Jos. Wilson,

47 ; Christina Flannigan, 46 ; Lizzie Cummings, 46 ;

Mary J. Webb, 45 ; Thomas Boyce, 45.

Seagoe Churchyard,

A most important work has recently been carried

out in connection with the Churchyard. The ground

round the present Church has been carefully mapped

out and 011 the grave plots accurately marked. A

register has also been made of all the interments and

a list drawn up of the names and addresses of the

present owners of the plots. This work has been done

as a preliminary step towards keeping the churchyard

in a neater and more orderly condition than it has

hitherto been kept. We would like to see the

hallowed acre round the Church the best kept piece of

ground in the whole parish. Why should not some

of the trees be removed, the ground levelled, some

evergreen shrubs put in, the grass kept carefully cut,

and some flowers planted. The walks should have neat

edges and be kept free from all weeds. We hope soon

to see all this done. The place where the bodies of

our dear ones rest should be the object of our special

care. The Christian Church has in all ages regarded

with the utmost reverence the places where the bodies

of the dead are laid awaiting the Day of Resurrection.

Our Harvest Services,

The Harvest Thanksgiving Services this year

both in the Parish Church and in the outlying

Districts hove been attended by very large numbers

of worshippers. In fact we believe the Church was

more crowded than we have ever seen it before. Not

merely were the pews filled, but every available form

from the Schools was brought over, and yet very

many had to turn away unable to get into the

Church. The Anthem " I will praise thee, O Lord "

was splendidly sung by the choir. The solo was

taken by Miss Amy Walker on the Thursday evening,

and by Miss Neill, of Lisburn, on the Sunday at

both services. It was sung with much finish and

expression. Mrs. Stephenson (contralto), Mr. D.

Murray (tenor), and Mr. D. Livingston (bass) joined

the soloists in the quartette, and acquitted them-

selves excellently. The general opinion widely

expressed was that the choir had never done its part

better. Mr. T. H. Wilson is to be heartily congratulated

on the efficiency of the Choir and his

ability at the organ.

Canon Grierson, of Banbridge, is ever a welcome

visitor to Seagoe. He preached on Thursday, and

took for his subject " Gather up the Fragments."

An innovation was made this year in the fact that

the offerings at this service were given to Foreign

Missions. This is as it should be, and we are glad

to say ' the people willingly.' Our neighbour

in Ardmore, the Rev. R. D. Patterson, came over

to help us on the Sunday. He preached morning

and evening, and also kindly spoke in' the afternoon

at Hacknahay. In the morning his subject was

" Jeremiah's Vision off the Potter." In the afternoon

he spoke on " Our Daily Bread," and at evening

prayer he gave a telling address on " The Young

Ruler." The collections at the offertory were on

behalf of the Parochial Funds.

The decoration of the Parish Church was more

complete and chaste than in former years. Willing

hands reverently adorned with the beauty of tree

and flower the Chancel, Choir, Pulpit, Lectern,

Font, and Nave. Many sent offerings of Fruits and

Flowers, for which we return hearty thanks. Two

unique features in the decorations were the miniature

corn stack at the base of the East Window, which

was skilfully made in the first instance for the

service at Carbet by Messrs. Robert and Gilbert

Price, af Ballinacor, and the fine sheaves of corn

which stood at each end of the Holy Table. This

corn was grown from English seed sown in Carne by

Mr. Ruck, of Peacefield, and he sent us his best

sheaves for the decoration of the Chancel.

We should not omit to thank the Churchwardens,

Messrs. Collins and Reid, for their

indefatigable work in connection with the various

Services.

The services at Tamnificarbet Orange Hall

were held on Sunday, October 23rd, and Monday,

October 24th. The Hall had been very prettily

decorated, and the miniature corn stack was an

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

interesting object lesson in God's gift of the Harvest.

Miss M. Dickson skilfully presided at the Harmonium,

and the singing was most hearty. The Rector

preached on " Harvest Mercies." The offerings were

for the Harmonium Fund. On Monday the services

were continued, and the building was again crowded.

The preacher was the Rev. O. W. Scott, Rector of

Gilford. We congratulate our energetic and loyal

Church folk at Carbet on the success of these

services. The District is one of the most promising

in the Parish.

Hacknahay held its Harvest Thanksgiving on

Sunday, October 30th, at 3-30, and on Monday,

October 31st, at 8. The School looked very pretty,

and one could scarcely understand how accommodation

was found for the numbers who attended. The

musical portion of the service was in the capable

hands of Mr. S. R. Chambers. The choir sang the

special Anthem "I will feed my flock" splendidly,

and gave evidence of the careful training they had

received. The sermon was preached by the Rev.

R. D. Patterson, who spoke with eloquence and

earnestness on the gift of the Harvest. The prayers

were said by the Rector. The services on Monday

were also attended by large numbers, and an address

on the Harvest was given by the Rev. O. W. Scott,

of Gilford. The offerings at both services were

liberal, and were on behalf of the Hacknahay Day

School Fund.

Band of Hope,

The opening meeting of the Session was held in

Edenderry Parochial Hall, on Friday, October 28th.

On that occasion a slight departure from what has

almost become an established custom was made.

Instead of the usual dialogues and recitations, an effort

was made to effect an entrance to the young minds

by the " eye-gate " as well as the " ear-gate." To

help in this the magic-lantern was called into use, and

a number of slides illustrating " Scientific Truths and

Temperance Stories " were shown. It is to be regretted

more of the older members of the community do not

attend the meetings. We hope that in the immediate

future their parents and elder brothers and sisters

will show their interest in temperance work by coming

to all our gatherings.

Buried Townlands.

Some of our readers who can solve puzzles may

enjoy trying to discover a buried townland of Seagoe

Parish in each of the following sentences—

1 He keeps his car neat and trim.

2 I see some jolly Jack tars on board.

3 Give louder knock, Sam.

4 Those who sail the sea go everywhere,

5 Slowly lower the window.

6 There's the tinker, Nan.

7 I hear a knock men, answer it.

8 There's a drum, go reach me my hat.

Seagoe National School.

ANNUAL PUPILS' CONCERT

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25th, 1910.

Items.

We congratulate Major Blacker on his election as

a member of the Diocesan Council.

A severe epidemic of Whooping Cough and Mumps

has been prevalent in Hacknahay District during the

past six weeks.

The opening service Of Seagoe G.F.S. will take

place in the Church on Wednesday evening,

November 9th, at 8. All Associates, Members, and

Candidates are expected to be present.

We regret to record the serious illness of Mr Wm.

Best, the result of an accident. Although still very

ill he is, we are glad to say, slowly recovering

strength.

Pretty stamp albums are being introduced into our

Sunday Schools in connection with our Church

Attendance Cards.

A handsome headstone has been erected in Old

Seagoe Graveyard to the memory of Wilson Guy,

whose sad death by drowning took place last April.

He was very popular with all his shipmates on the

Navy, and the men of H.M.S. " Black Prince " have

thus perpetuated his memory.

Christina Anderson, Lizzie Beckett, and Anna

McLoughlin, have won special Certificates for writing

at a competition held in Dublin, and open to pupils

of all National Schools. We congratulate Mr

Mawhinney, Principal of Balteagh School, on the

success of his pupils.

The new Sunday School Calendar will be issued

shortly. It will come into use on Advent Sunday,

November 27th,

The new Seagoe Almanac for 1911 is now on sale

at Mrs Metcalfe's shop, near Anchor Cafe, Bridge

Street. It is extremely pretty. We want to see a

copy of it on the walls of every house in Seagoe

Parish. Price One Penny.

Distributors should leave all unsold Magazines at

Mrs Metcalfe's without delay each month.

If they are kept over they are a dead loss.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

We sometimes hear complaints that the Magazine

Distributors in certain Districts cannot get in the

pennies for the Magazines which they have left at the

houses, It will not be possible in such cases for the

Distributors to leave Magazines as there is a scarcity

of copies.

We hear rumours of a grand Parochial Soiree to

be held in Seagoe School early in December.

Remember Carne Harvest Service at 3-30 on

Sunday, November 6th, and on Monday, November

7th, at 8. Drumgor Harvest Service on Sunday,

November 13th, at 7. Preacher, Mr Jas. Mackenzie,

of All Saints Church, Belfast, and on Monday,

November 14th, at 8, Preacher, Rev. B. Allmann,

B.A., Rector of Milltown.

The Rector has lately received several letters from

former residents in the Parish now living at a distance

desiring to become subscribers to the Parish

Magazine.

The Diocesan Synod met in Belfast on last

Thursday. Seagoe sends 4 lay representatives to it.

Miss Armstrong has been enjoying a holiday at

Donaghadee, Co. Down.

The Edenderry Football Team are giving a good

account of themselves each Saturday. R. T. Mont-

gomery's Physical Culture Class is producing splendid

results. What has become of the Seagoe Harriers ?

The hedges are in fine order, but we see none of our

young fellows trying to clear them'

We are sorry to lose Harry Jeffers, Secretary of

Seagoe Harriers. He has gone to seek his fortune in

the States. We hear he intends to apply his ability

and energy to Aviation.

Old Seagoe Notes.

Wolves in Seagoe.—lt is hard to believe that

there were ever wolves roaming wild in Seagoe

Parish, but it is not so very long since the Irish wolf

became extinct and strange to say it was in the

neighbourhood of Seagoe Parish that the last wolf

in Ireland was killed. This occurred in the year 1699

on the outskirts of Waringstown, which at that time

adjoined Seagoe Parish. The late Dean Waring, who

died in 1850, (grandfather of the late Col. Thomas

Waring, M.P.) used to relate how a foal belonging to

his uncle was in 1699 killed by a wolf, which itself

paid the penalty of its life, and is supposed to have

been the last wolf seen in Ireland.

Spades and Shovels.—In old days the Select

Vestry of Seagoe used to provide spades and shovels

with which the people dug the graves in the old

Churchyard. We gather this from the following

entry :—

At a Vestry holden in ye Parish Church of Sego,

On ye 26th day of December, 1700. It was then

enacted by ye Minister, Churchwardens, and

Parishioners then present, that ye sum of two pounds

sterling, be applotted on, and levied of ye sd. Parish

(viz.) for 30 Badges for ye Poor of ye sd. Parish, and

for two ladders for ye use of ye Church of ye sd.

Prsh, and for a Shovell and a Spade for ye making

of graves for ye use of ye parishioners of ye Parish.

Memorandum shows provided a good shod spade

and shovell for the use of the Parishioners to make

graves with, all which cost five shillings.

English and Irish in Seagoe.—ln the year 1728

there is an interesting list of recipients of Parish

help. It is written in two columns, one headed

" English," and the other " Irish." Apparently at

that period Irish was still in this district a spoken

language, and the distinction between English settlers

and the native born Irish parishioners was still

observed. Owen O'Ferren is the first name in the

Irish list and he was apparently very anxious to get

his full share of the funds, for there is written in

large letters at the foot of the page " Owen O'Ferren

wants his shear " (share). Margaret Jones is the

first name on the list of " English." The sum given

to each recipient seems to have been 9d a month. There

were about 28 English and the same number of Irish

on the list.

An Old Parish Clerk.—Woolsey Smurphett was

for many years Vestry Clerk and Parish Clerk of

Seagoe. The entries of his Baptism and Marriage

are as follows :—

Woollsey, son of Richard Smurphett, and Mary

his wife, was baptized February ye 14th, 1679.

Woolsey Smurphett of ye Parish of Sego, and Mary

Slone of ye Parish of Donaghloney, were married in

ye Parish Church of Donaghloney, February the 14th,

in 1709th year of Christ.

He was married on the anniversary of his

Baptism.

List of Churchwardens (CONTINUED) :

1721 —David Geddis of Turmoyra.

Francis Greenaway, of Upper Sego.

1722 —Henry Black, of Ballymacranell.

Thomas Scott* of Levaghary.

1723 —William Smurphett, of Clanroll.

Josias Geddis, of Kilvergan.

1724 —Robert Wilson, of Bocomra.

George Ruddell, of Ballynecor.

1725 —John Robinson, of Lower Sego (Rector's).

Mr Meredith Workman, of Killecomaine, (People's)

1726 —John Gilpen, of Tanefeglassony.

Robert Dillworth, of Balteagh.