November 1912

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

NOVEMBER, 1912

A GRAND CONCERT WILL BE GIVEN IN EDENDERRY PAROCHIAL HALL,

on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21st, 1912, AT 8 O'CLOCK.

The following among others have kindly consented to take part: —

MISS AMY WALKER, Soprano.

MISS EVA BIGGART, L. R. A.M., Contralto.

MR. JAMES BRIGGS, Principal Tenor Belfast Cathedral.

MR. J. SCOTT, of Belfast, Baritone.

MISS BELL, A.L.C.M., Pianist.

Prices of Admission, 2/-, 1/- and 6d.

Proceeds in aid of Seagoe Dav School.

The Harvest Services,

THIS year the Harvest Services were very

successful. The weather fortunately was

fine, and the church was filled at each

service with a large congregation. The

decorations were more elaborate than usual and

displayed great taste. There was a large supply of

flowers available and they were used by the decorators

with good effect in the Chancel and on the Pulpit

and Lectern. A great many of the Parishioners

contributed material for the decorations and some

fine pears which were placed on the ledge at the back

of The Holy Table had been sent all the way from

Grimsby, Canada, by a former parishioner, Mrs.

Anderson, for the Services.

The Service on Thursday was attended by large

numbers. The sermon was preached by the Rev. R.

H. S. Cooper, M.A., Rector of Christ's Church,

Lisburn. His text was "Cast thy bread upon the

waters and thou shalt find it after many days."

Mr. Cooper is one of our most eloquent preachers. The

offerings were on behalf of Foreign Missions, and

were in advance of last year's total. The Anthem

was Caleb Simpers's "Thou shalt keep the Feast of

Harvest." Mr. T. H, Wilson presided at the organ

with his usual efficiency, and the choir did their part

with excellent effect. The soloist was Miss Amy Walker,

of Seagoe, who acquitted herself splendidly.

Miss Chambers and Miss Walker sang the Duet, and

were joined in the Quartette by Messrs. D. Murray

and D. Livingston. The voices blended admirably,

and the general opinion expressed was that there has

never been better music in Seagoe than on the

occasion. The Psalms were sung with fine precision,

the phrasing, tune, and time being faultless.

On Sunday the same music was repeated, and the

congregations were equally large, In the evening a

good many could not find room in the Church and

had to turn away. The Rev. J M'Endoo, M.A.,

Rector of Tandragee, preached in the morning, and

the Rev. T. G. G. Collins, B.D., Rector of St. James',

Belfast, in the evening. The offerings were devoted

to the support of the General Parochial Fund, out of

which the working expenses of the Church are paid

each year.

Parish Almanacs for 1913.

Seagoe Parish Almanac for 1913 is now ready, and

may be had at Mrs. Metcalf's, Bridge Street, and

from the Sunday School Superintendents throughout

the Parish, on and after Friday, November 8th, price

One Penny. Only 350 copies have been printed, and

we are anxious that every one of those 350 should

find their way into the houses of Seagoe Parish.

The Almanac is beautifully coloured and in every

way a work of art -

The Annual Report.

The Annual Report for 1911—12 is issued this week.

It contains several new features and much additional

matter. The various accounts have been carefully

classified and will be therefore more easily understood

by the Parishioners. The Sustentation Fund is

printed at the end of the book, but the List of

Families which was printed last year is not included

this year. An Introduction explains the arrangement

of the Report, and a full Index, with references to

pages, will at a glance enable readers to grasp the

contents. The Finances of the Parish are extending

each year as will readily be seen by referring to the

Report, and a good deal of the success of the Parish

both from a spiritual as well as a material standpoint

must depend on the accuracy with which our Parish

Accounts are kept, and the completeness and clearness

of the statements made each year in the Report.

We invite the Parishioners to read the Report carefully

and if they note any mistakes to kindly mention

them without delay either to the Hon. Treasurer,

Wolsey Atkinson; or to the Rector.

Letter from Miss Dawson.

We are very glad to be able to publish the following

letter for our Magazine from Miss Mary Dawson.

It reached us just in time for publication, and the

many friends of the Misses Dawson in the Parish

will be delighted to hear how they are getting on in

South America, and what kind of people they are

working amongst. If any of our friends are writing

to the Misses Dawson, as we are sure they would

like to do, they should be careful to enquire at the

Portadown Post Office as to the right amount of

stamps to put on the letters. We notice by the way

that the Chili stamps on Miss Dawson's letter bear

the likeness of a fine military looking man, evidently

the President of the Republic of Chili, and underneath

is printed the name "O'Higgins," which has a decidedly

Irish flavour about it.

c/o Rev. C. A. Sadlier,

Mission Araucana,

Casilla No. 75,

Temnuco, Chile,

September 19th, 1912

Dear Mr. Archer,

Your kind letter should have had an answer long

ago but time flies in Quepe as elsewhere, and leaves

very much undone. It was nice to hear from Seagoe

again, and we never forget the old friends there,

though we cannot often write. I think you must have

fancied us at work in San Pedro; but you see

it is quite a different part of the world; the Bishop

and Committee decided to send us here, where the

Araucanian Indians are centred, and though my

sister and I are now in Temnuco on holiday, we are

really living at Maquiqui about 10 miles from here,

and right in the country. It is a beautiful country,

not flat like the Argentine, and yet we do not like it

so well. Instead of flat, camp spaces, we have

undulating land all wood and hill and river, and

visible everywhere are the snow-capped peaks of the

Andes. We have two Schools at Maquiqui, on the

Quepe river, the girls' school is our residence, and

also contains the big school-room where boys and

girls meet each day for classes. The girls and boys

are Mapuche Indians, and are all in residence, and

we have a few Chilian day scholars. The Mapuche

Indians are nearly all white, or at most not more

than swarthy, very English-looking, and some of

them quite pretty; they are dear children, many of

them most attractive, and we get on finely together.

I think they are very good on the whole, much better

than some English children, I won't say Irish, for

these last are beyond comparison. Many of them

are very big and clever, but the girls beat the boys in

that respect they are splendid workers, and so strong.

The girls are mostly tidy, the boys are a bit through other;

and as for “taking a huff," they used to be awful in this

respect, and were often not great with their teachers;

then they had to get a 'sevendable' beating {to keep them

in good order; now they are much better, and don't huff

nearly so often. They have great heads of hair and brush

it vigorously several times a day, often "sousing" their heads

first with water, and then combing afterwards; their dress

is English, and the girls wear large "overalls" with

sleeves, as uniforms. The Seagoe children would be

amused at their lessons. If I went into Seagoe school,

or listened at the door during class-time, I should

hear a hum like a swarm of bees let loose. In a,

Mapuche school you don't hear that, and often the

stillness is so great, you could "hear a pin drop,"

as the saying is. Not so in study hour. Then the

swarm of bees seems to settle in that Mapuche classroom,

as they all, or nearly all read aloud, many from different

books, or from different part of the same book. We have

taught them some of our Irish games, and they quite like

"The Farmer wants a Wife," "Nuts in May," "Oranges

and Lemons," But above all this, and beyond all the

education, they are learning a great deal about Christ, and

His love. How much they take in one never knows, but many

seem to understand; and we hear of some who go

home and teach others the hymns and prayers and

Bible verses they learn in our schools; anyhow, these

children need the prayers of other children; so will

the Seagoe friends and children pray for them?

That they may know and love the Light, and that

we may teach them wisely and well.

With our kindest remembrance to you all.

Yours very sincerely,

MARY L. DAWSON.

Baptisms.

" We, as Isaac was, are the children of Promise."

On Saturday, October 5th, 19 12

Elsie Eveline, daughter of David George and Anna Jane Dunlop.

William John, son of Robert David and Jane Cassells.

Mary, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Holland.

Edward, son of Ralph and Anne Wilson.

Thomas and Anna, son and daughter (twins) of Joseph Leathem

and Kathleen Watson.

Marriage.

"I will betroth thee unto Me for ever,"

GREENHALGH AND DICKSO N— On August 31st, 1912, in

St. James' Church, by the Rev. I. A. R. Mac-

Donald, B.D., Rector, Herbert Greenhalgh,

Neepawa, Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Margaret

Anne Dickson, Drumnagoon House, Portadown,

Ireland.

Burial.

“They shall never perish."

October 1^st — Sarah M'Kinney, Muckery, Parish of Drumeree, aged 35 years.

Items.

Levaghery School has been painted, re-coloured,

and put in good repair during the past month.

***

The Lord Bishop specially complimented Seagoe

Parish on the fact that 10 of its Vestrymen were

present at the Visitation at Lurgan, on Tuesday,

October 29th. Seagoe had a fuller representation

than any other Parish.

***

Photographs of the Edenderry Canon, Rifles, and

Ambulance, appeared in the “Toronto Globe," and

in the "Toronto Star Weekly."

***

Through pressure on our space we have to hold

over to next month notes on Carne Harvest Service,

Seagoe Singing Class, and Church Attendance Cards.

Hacknahay Harvest Services.

The Harvest Services in Hacknahay were the first

to be held in the Parish this year. On Sunday,

October 13th, at 3.30, the School-house was crowded

to the doors. The decorations were arranged with

great taste by the willing hands of many helpers,

who spent the previous Saturday in decorating the

room under Miss Calvert's skilful guidance. The

preacher was the Rev. R. S. Morrison, B.D., Curate

of Portadown. The music was very good, and the

training of the choir had been carefully supervised by

Mr. S. R. Chambers. The solo parts in the Anthem

were taken in fine style by Miss Chambers and

Mr. David Murray. A liberal offering was given by those

present in aid of Hacknahay Day School.

The Services were continued on Monday evening,

October 14th, when the special Harvest music was

repeated, and an Address was given by the

Rev. J. W. Johnston, Curate of Drumcree.

The Sunday Schools.

The new Sunday School Calendar comes into use

on Advent Sunday, December 1st. The series of

Lessons for the Afternoon Schools is issued by the

Sunday School Institute, and the Teachers notes are

published monthly in the Magazine supplied to

Teachers. This coming year the Notes on the

Lessons are even better than last year, and every

effort has been made to render them as useful as

possible to the Teacher. Each Lesson contains a

diagram to explain it, and small coloured pictures

are supplied for each Sunday, to illustrate the study

portion. The main subject of the Lessons is the

Life and Work of St. Paul.

This year examinations will be held in all the

Sunday Schools during November and December, in

the work done during the past year, and those who

answer well will be awarded Prizes. The examinations

will be held on Sunday, during the usual Sunday School

hour. We would recommend the children to look over

the past year's work so as to refresh their memories.

Seagoe Sale of Work.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

We publish a statement of the amount realised at

the recent Sale. The totals for each Stall include

subscriptions as well as sales. A subscription of £10

from Canon Blacker is included in the Bachelors'

Stall receipts. The net balance in hand is

£112 17s. 3 ½ d. This is not sufficient to carry out

the required improvements in the School which

would cost £180, so the Committee has decided to

postpone the erection of the Classroom until next

Spring, and in the meantime to supplement the total

received by various efforts during the winter months.

The attractive Concert to be held in Edenderry, on

Thursday, November 21st, should add a substantial

sum to their Funds.

RECEIPTS. £ s. d.

Farm Produce Stall 35 10 8 ½

Bachelors' Stall 33 19 9 ½

Work Stall 32 16 5

Cake and Sweet Stall, 9 1 11

Refreshment Stall 8 16 4

Flower Stall 3 6 4 ½

Bran Dip 1 6 2

Aunt Sally 0 2 5

Gate 4 14 7

Cheque, Canon Blacker for Hacknahay 5 0 0

Rev. T. Stothers (sub.) 0 10 0

Miss Coburn (coll.) 1 9 0

Cheque (S. S. Féte) 5 2 8

Sale of Timber 0 13 0

EXPENDITURE.

Cheque Book 0 2 1

Watchman 0 7 6

Drapery 0 6 0

"Portadown Express" 0 4 0

"Portadown News" 1 14 11

Bouquet 0 7 6

Coal Supply Co. (timber) 1 5 6

Athletic Stores (guns) 0 4 6

Cheque to Select Vestry 25 0 0

£29 12 1

Balance 112 17 3 ½

£142 9 4 ½

Offertories for October.

Sunday Mornings, £7 18 7

Sunday Evenings, £4 16 4

Week Days, £4 11 8

Total, £17 6 7

The Collection at the Harvest Service on Thursday

amounted to £4 2s. 9d.

Hymns for November,

"Praise ye the Lord."

Morning
3rd	10th	17th	24th
606	392	377	570
605	553	362	112
565	165	551	205
544	378	285	68
Evening
148	552	381	65
137	166	400	113
314	14	136	556
131	352	356	71
562	557	376	358

The above Hymns have been carefully chosen to

suit the season of the Christian year. Several hymns

not hitherto sung in Seagoe have been inserted.

Two hymns recently learned by our Sunday School

children are on the list. The Hymns for November

3rd have special reference to Holy Communion, and

those on the 24th refer to Missionary and Advent

subjects. Some very familiar and favourite hymns

also find a place in the list.

Nature Notes.

A correspondent writes to us that a nest of young

swallows was seen at Mr. Metcalfe's farm, in Lower

Seagoe, as late as October 7th. This would corroborate

what we noted in our last issue, that the swallows

remained longer this year than usual.

*

During the past few weeks we have had a

succession of curious storms, very severe but very

short in duration. They have generally occurred in

the afternoon. On last Sunday morning, October

27th, one of these storms suddenly arose while the

congregation were worshipping in Seagoe Church.

During the offertory a specially stormy blast from

the West blew out one of the wooden ventilation

covers in the side aisle with the result that a shower

of dead leaves was blown into the Church. Some of

the congregation when leaving the Church found it

difficult to keep their feet owing to the fierceness of

the wind. Two hours later there was a perfect calm.

*

This is a good time of the year to get to know the

stars. Everyone knows the Plough, now to be seen

in the Northern heavens. You can test your sight

by looking at the second star, called Mizar, on the

left. A small star called Alcor is just beside Mizar,

and can be seen by those who have good sight. In

old Roman days no recruit was accepted for the

Roman army unless he was able to see this star.

It is Often called the "little man with the horses."

The two upright stars in the Plough point direct to

the Pole Star.

Old Seagoe Notes.

An old Seagoe Stone — Over the side entrance,

to Peacefield House, Ballinacor, there is an old stone

bearing the figure of a stag, and inscribed with the

words "1788, D. Duddell, Peacefield."

*

Will of Valentine Blacker, Esq., 1677 — [We

print the Last Will and Testament of Valentine

Blacker, Esq., of Carrick. The original is in the

Record Office, Dublin. It is a quaint and interesting

document. The Seal on the Will is in Red wax and

contains the Blacker Arms. The signature is written

in a very trembling hand, though the writer was very

old and weak. It was Mr. Valentine Blacker who

rebuilt Old Seagoe Church after it was destroyed in

the Rebellion of 1641.]

In the name of God Amen, the 16th day of August

in the year of our Lord God 1677. I, Valentine

Blacker, of Carrick, in the Parish of Sego, in

the County of Armagh, Esq., being sick and weak of

body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be

given unto God therefor, and calling to minde

the mortality of my body, and knowing it is appointed

unto all men once to die, do make and ordain this

my last will and testament in manner and forme

following — That is to say first and principally I give

my soul into the hands of God who gave it me, and

for my body I recommend it unto the earth to be

laid in decent and Christian manner near Judith my

wife's ground in Sego Church, nothing doubting but

that at the General Resurrection I shall receive the

same again by the mighty power of God, and

touching such worldly goods wherewith it hath

pleased God to bless me in this life I give, bequeath,

and dispose the same in manner and form following

I give and bequeath to my daughter Violetta

Gill all my goods, money and chattels whatsoever, horses,

Mares, cows, heifers, money, plate, bills, bonds and writings,

brass, pewther, linen, apparrall, and all also movable

goods whatsoever to me belonging, the same to be in my

said, daughter Violetta Gill's possession immediately after my

decease, and I do hereby utterly disallow, renounce,

and annull all and every other former testament,

will and bequest made by me. I do hereby make and

ordain my said daughter, Violetta, Gill executor to

this my last will and testament, ratifying and

confirming this and none other to be my last will

and testament, in witness hereof I have hereunto set

my hand and seal the day and year first above written,

signed, sealed, and published. Pronounced, and

declared by the said Valentine Blacker as his last will

and testament, in the presence of Valentine Gill,

Sheely M'Camaly, and James Jameson, Solicitor.

Signed and Sealed in the (Seal),

presence of us

Valentine Gill.

Shelia M'Camlli. Val, Blacker.

X

her mark,

J. Jameson.