November 1917

Seagoe Patish Magazine.

NOVEMBER, 1917.

The Harvest Services.

ALL our Harvest Services this year have been

marked by larger congregations, and more

liberal offerings, and we feel there has

prevailed a deeper spirit of reverent

worship and thanksgiving. The service in the

Parish Church on Thursday. October 11th, was very

inspiring. Notwithstanding the heavy rain the

Church was almost filled. The decorations were very

pretty and more flowers than usual were forthcoming.

Everyone was rejoiced to see and hear once again the

Rev. W. T. Grey after his long absence in Japan

The Collection was in aid of Foreign Missions. The

Services were continued on Sunday, October 14th,

the preacher at Morning Prayer being the Rev. R S.

Morrison, Rector of St. Saviours, and in the Evening

the Rev. G. Bloomer, Curate of St. Mark's,

Portadown. Mr. Bloomer in the course of his

sermon made reference to the devastated harvest

fields of France from which he has just returned.

The Music this year was an important feature of the

Services.

It was chosen by Mr. T. H. Wilson, and

he had conducted the Choir practices, but at the last

moment owing to a sore hand he was unable to take

his place at the organ. A very willing aid capable

substitute was found in Mr. Hardcastle the Organist

in St. Mark's, Portadown, who at short notice most

kindly took Mr. Wilson's place. The special music

consisted of Caleb Simper's Harvest Anthem, " When

thou hast gathered in thy Corn," also Jackson's well

known setting of the " Te Deum," and Mr, C.

Wilson's (a Seagoe man) setting of the Magnificat and

Nunc Dimittis. The Te Deum, the Church's Hymn

of Praise, was sung at the close of the Service on

Thursday evening.

District Services,

District Harvest Services have been held during

the month at Carne, Drumgor, and Tamnificarbet.

The services at Carne were held on Sunday, October

7th. The Hall had been tastefully decorated, and at

the hour of the service was crowded with the residents

of the A choir had been formed and the

music was good and hearty. The Rector preached

on Sunday, and the Rev. T. H. Scanlon at the

Monday Service. Drumgor held its services on

Sunday 21st and Monday, 22nd. Special care had

been given to the decorations, in fact for the whole

week the decorators been at work so that on the

Sunday the room had been transformed, elaborate

wheat fringes and large type texts in white on red

ground covered the walls. Some of the girl helpers

carried giant heads of cabbage several miles to help

in the decorations. The Hall was crowded and the

people " offered willingly." The Rector preached on

Sunday afternoon, and the Rev. F. H. Wilkinson,

Senior Curate of Shankill on the Monday evening.

Mr. T. H. Wilson kindly took charge of the music.

Mrs. MacMullen who has for so many Sears

supervised the work in Drumgor Sunday School is to be

heartily congratulated on the arrangements for the

Services which were in many respects the most

encouraging ever held in the District.

Harvest Services in November.

Edenderry Parochial Hall—

Sunday, November 4th, at 3-30.

Monday, November 5th, at 8. Rev. W. G. Millington, B. A., Curate of Waringstown.

Levaghery—Sunday, November 11th, at 3-30

Monday, November 12th, at 8.

The offerings on Sundays will be for Local

Expenses, and on Mondays for Foreign Missions.

The Sustentation Fund,

The Collectors for this important Fund will soon

be going their rounds. We hope the Parishioners

will endeavour to increase the amount of their

subscriptions. Last year the amount subscribed fell

short of the minimum sum required. Unless

additional money is subscribed this year it will in

year or two be necessary to make some radical change

in the clerical equipment of the Parish. A sum of

£200 annually is now a necessity for this Fund.

Lecture of the Rev. G. Bloomer.

On Tuesday, October 16th, the Rev. G. Bloomer

gave a most interesting Lecture in Carne Church

Hall on the subject of his recent four months visit to

the Battlefields of France. The Hall was filled, and

all present thoroughly enjoyed the Lecture. The

Rector presided, and after a few words of welcome to

Mr. Bloomer, called on him to deliver his Lecture.

The Lecturer gave a detailed account of his experiences

from the day he left Portadown platform to his

arrival home four months later, He had some

exciting times and had to endure a certain amount of

hardship, He described the sad and ruined condition

of many French towns. He had nothing but the

highest praise for "Tommy" who seems to appreciate

very much the efforts made in the Huts to satisfy his

spiritual and temporal needs Mr. Bloomer, at the

close of his Lecture, referred in a touching manner

to his visit to Herbert Murray's grave. A hearty

vote of thanks was passed to the Lecturer on the

motion of the Rev. T. H. Scanlon, seconded by Mr.

David Murray, Rector's Churchwarden. In an

interval during the Lecture Mr. Murray sang with

good effect 'c The Long Long Trail" and Tipperary."

Offertories for October,

Sunday—Mornings, £12 8 6

Evenings, 5 12 6

Week Days 0 7 1

£18 8 1

Special offertories included in above—October 11th,

Missions, £4 1s 6d ; October 14th, Church Expenses

Fund, £13 3s 7d,

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

ITEMS.

Important.—Mr. Francis Maginn, B.D., of the

Ulster Mission to the Deaf and Dumb, will hold a

meeting on its behalf in Edenderry Parochial Hall,

on Tuesday, November 13th, at 3-30 p.m. Tea at

4-30. You are invited to be present.

The Lord Bishop made reference in his address at,

the recent Diocesan Synod to the loss which the

Diocese had sustained in the death of Mr. George Calvert.

Lieut Colonel Kelly, of the 1st Batt. Royal Irish

Fusiliers, has been appointed to the Command of our

local Battalion in succession to the late Lieut. ColoneI

Somerville.

Gifts of Apples would be greatly appreciated by

those in charge of the Rest Room at the Station.

The boys in Khaki are very fond of a good apple, so

send to the Room a present from your surplus stock.

The Rev. W. T. Grey paid a visit to Messrs. Robb's

Factory during his stay in the Parish and renewed

many old friendships.

Smiles, nods, and hearty

handshakes greeted him in all departments of the

works. He was greatly delighted with his visit.

The change in the weather has produced its effect

in increasing the number of sick cases in the Parish,

and also, we regret to say, in bringing bereavement

to many homes in the Parish as will be noticed in our

list of Burials.

Recent issues of the Magazine have all been sold off

within a day or two of publication.

We are glad to learn that Lance-Corporal W. H.

Gracey, of Drumgor, is recovering from his severe

wounds. Lance-Corporal David Boyce, of Edenderry,

is also stronger but not yet able to return home.

Messrs. T. J. Montgomery and James Twinem,

represented Seagoe Parish at the Diocesan Synod in

Belfast on October 30th.

The entertainment given last month by the

Randalstown Troupe of Pierrots on behalf of the

Rest Room was very attractive Every item was

first rate. It was difficult to believe that all the

performers had been wounded in the war.

We hope possible help Will be given by our

readers to the Child Welfare Movement in Portadown,

which will have its headquarters at Carleton House.

Captain Hamilton Hadden, M.C.. R.A.M.C.. who

recently received a bar to his Military Cross has

accepted Army Medical Work in India.

The Rev. W. R. Crichton arrived safely at Port

Said and is, we hope, by this time in Madras, free

from the submarine menace.

We regret to hear that Captain Dobson, who acted

as Lay helper in Seagoe Parish some years ago, has

recently had a serious attack of fever. He has been

doing duty with the Salonika Field Force. We hope

to hear favourable accounts of his speedy restoration

to his usual health.

Some members of the Select Vestry have recently

been doing very practical work in opening up and

cleaning the rainwater drains around the Parish

Church. They had become choked up with fallen

leaves, and for some years had failed to carry off

water from the foundations.

A Sub-Committee of the Select Vestry has been

appointed to choose a design for the Tablet to be

erected to the memory of the late Mr. George Calvert

The sports organised last month by the Employees

of Meesrs. Robbs Factory proved a great success.

The attendance was very large, and the sports and

football provided a great attraction. A very substantial

sum has been handed over to the Red Cross

as a result of the effort.

We are glad to that some of our Seagoe lads

who had emigrated to the States before the war have

joined up with the U.S.A. Army. We would like to

print in later issues a list of such names if relatives

will kindly let us know,

War Honours.

The Rev, F. J. Halahan, M.C., C.F., Rector of

Drumcree, has again received a notable distinction for

devotion to duty in France He has been awarded

Bar to his Military Cross. Another Chaplain who

saw Mr. Halahan at work on August 16th, says that

his bravery was magnificent. The Lord Primate in

his address last week at the Armagh Synod said that

an officer had told him that Mr Halahan had on

many occasions peformed heroic deeds which fully

deserved the Victoria Cross. Our readers will unite

in congratulating Mr. Halahan on this fresh distinction,

and We also congratulate the Parish of

Drumcree on the possession of a Rector who has done

such noble work for God and King and Country.

Sergt. John Milligan, of Century Street, has won

the D.C M a splendid distinction. The Irish Guards

have made great name for themselves in the war,

and one of their bravest men is our own parishioner,

Sergeant Milligan. All the men of the family have

gone to war, the father and three sons. This is

fine record, and We congratulate Sergeant Milligan

and every member of his family on the distinction he

has won. Sergeant Milligan has also been mentioned

several times in dispatches, and has been awarded the

Italian Military Medal for bravery.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Nature Notes

Some interesting Nature Notes by a competent

writer appear in the " Irish Churchman " each week.

We reprint one on " Eels " from this weeks issue.

Pike, Eels and Doloughan (a species of Trout) are

the three kinds of fish most frequently found in our

local river—the Bann. Eels —A strange sight at

times to be seen is that of the rocks and stones forming

the dry part of waterfall in some mountain

stream near the sea, all thickly covered With young

eels. They have come out of the water altogether

and are wriggling their way up the moss and rocks,

from one pool to the next higher one. The rush of

water down the fall is too strong for them, and so

instead they have taken to the land. This, indeed, is

characteristic of eels. They can live on land as well

as in the water, and may at times be found among

the grass and rushes of the water side. But where

are the young eels coming from ? They are coming

from the sea where they were born, for though the

eel abounds in all rivers, its eggs are layed not in

fresh water, but in salt. Then as. soon as they are

born, almost microscopic in size, they come swimming

the rivers in countless swarms. The water supply of

the city of Cork is derived from the river Lea, But

the young eels, so small in size, make their way into

the filter beds and even manage to get through them

and down the pipes into the city. At times you will

find, after you have turned on your bath in the

morning, a lively company of baby eels ready to share

with you your matutinal ablutions. And the water

tanks in your house may sometimes be a mass of

these little fishes.

Stars — The very bright star noticeable in the

heavens during the past few weeks and now rivalling in

brilliancy the moon which shines in close proximity,

is Venus, the brightest of the Planets. It is at the

present moment 40 millions of miles distant from the

earth, yet its light is so strong as to cast distinct

shadow. The diameter of the Planet is 7,600 miles.

A transit of Venus across the face Of the sun took

place in 1874 and again in 1882, but even the

youngest parishioner of Seagoe Will have to live to be

87 years of age to see the next, which is timed to

take place on June 8th, 2004.

Another very beautiful sight Visible at sunset on

any clear evening just now, is the Planet Mercury,

which may be seen for about two hours just over the

setting sun.

PARISH REGISTER for OCT„ 1917

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized on October 6th, 1917.

Moore—Mary, daughter of David and Caroline Moore; Of Kernan.

Sponsors – Mary Kelly, Caroline Moore.

Carville - Isaac, son of Valentine and Amelia Carville, of Killicomaine.

Sponsors—Mary Kelly, Åmelia Anna Carville.

Beckett—Gerald, son of Robert James and Jessie Fitzpatrick Beckett, of Tamnifiglasson.

Sponsors—Robert James Beckett, Jessie Fitzpatrick Beckett.

Thornberry—William, son of William (Private, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, M.E.F.) and

Elizabeth Thornberry, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Ellen Browne, Mary Kelly.

Marriage.

Askin and Honeyford—6th October, 1917, Thomas Askin, of Edenderry,

80 Elizabeth Honeyford, of Edenderry.

Burials,

Hoy—October 14th, Thomas Hoy, of Clanrole, aged 66.

Cordy—October 15th, Robert Cordy, of Killicomaine, aged 63 years.

Dynes—October 19th, Henry Dynes, of Lurgan, aged 59.

Hughes—October 23rd, William J. Hughes, of Tarsan, aged 68.

Burnison—October 25th, Harriett Burnison, of Lurgan, aged 16.

Wilson—October 26th, James Wilson, of Lisniskey, aged 83.

Gordon—October 31st, George Gordon, of Lower Seagoe; aged 54.

Condolence.

We have lost by death, as may be seen in this

issue, several of our older Parishioners who were very

well known to many in our midst Thomas Hoy, of

Clanrole, always took a deep interest in the welfare of

the Parish and was ready to help in every good work.

James Wilson, of Lisniskey, who passed away at a

ripe old age, had spent all his long life in the Parish,

and used 'Often to recount his recollections of the

days of Archdeacon Saurin and Clerk Walker. His

simple faith was well expressed in the sentence of the

Creed which "he repeated shortly before his death, I

Believe in Jesus Christ, Our Lord " Robb. Cordy, Wm,

J. Hughes and George Gordon, will be much missed

by their many relatives and friends. After long

continued illness they have entered into rest. We

offer the tribute of our sympathy to the sorrowing

ones who mourn the loss of those who were very dear

to them.

Seagoe Notes.

Jottings from the Lurgan Parochial Magazine,

1881 .— In 1809 a piece of Cambric was bought in

Lurgan Market at 2 guineas per yard and presented

to the Princess Charlotte.

In the year 1710 there were no marriages in

Lurgan Church, the Marriage Registers for that year

contains simply the Words None at all."

Lough Neagh contains 100,000 square acres of water.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

In this Diocese the following attendances were

made at the Church Sunday Schools in the year

1853, 13,832; in 1863, 21,472; in 1873, 26,500; in 1881, 33,619.

On December 28th, 1839, Lurgan Workhouse was

contracted for and was completed in September, 1840.

Cost of Building, £6,130, Fittings, £C1319 3s 9d,

In 1808 the Lurgan and 3 Belfast Banks made

their notes payable in Dublin as well as at their own

houses. The former had paper circulation of

170,000, the latter (Commercial, Northern and Belfast) had £225,000.

Sale of a Portadown Canteen, 1806. —The

Belfast News-Letter " for Tuesday, February 18th,

1806, contains the following advertisement—

" To be Let for such Term as may be agreed on,

and possession immediately given, That extensive and

well-situated Canteen in Portadown, consisting of

Brewery capable of turning out 12,000 Barrels

annually. Apply Thomas Phelps, junr., Moyallen."

Ancient Inns in Seagoe Parish.—In former

days Inns abounded in Seagoe and the neighbouring

District. Every Inn had its special name and signboard.

The Rose and Crown was the name of a

famous Inn. at Moyraverty. The Black Skull was a

famous Inn in the neighbouring Parish of Donoghcloney.

In Lurgan the following were well known

Inns—The Draper, The Saracen's Head, The

Highlander, The Cross Keys, The Black Bull, The

Cock, and The Admiral Nelson.

The Font of Seagoe Parish Church. — The

Font at present in use in Seagoe Church is very

ancient, and was brought from the old Church in

1816, when it was dismantled. It is possible back to

a certain point to fix its age. At one period of its

history it was subjected to rough handling. Large

chips were knocked from the stone, and apparently

steel instruments were sharpened by rubbing on its

sides. There was only one period when such treatment

could have taken place and that was in the

interval between 1641 when Old Seagoe Church was

burned and 1666 when it was rebuilt by Valentine

Blacker. During that period it was unprotected and

liable to injury. If our surmise be correct the Font

was in use in the Parish Church which existed before

1641. That Church must have been in existence for

at least 100 years, but possibly much longer, so that

the Font may have been in use so far back as Pre

Reformation Days. There is an ancient Font in

Drumcree Parish Church with a remarkable sculptured

border. The Font in Shankill Parish Church

is also ancient, bearing the date 1684.

It was presented to the Parish by the Rev. Legard Blacker,

then Rector of Shankill and Prebendary of Dromara.

Colonel Wm. Blacker and " No Surrender."

—(Continued from August issue of S. P. M.)—

It may be of interest to many readers to have a

brief memoir of this remarkable Ulster songwriter,

who has not inaptly been called the " Orange

Minstrel." The interest is all the greater in view

of the celebration of the 12th of July, which marks

the centenary of the publication of the song.

William Blacker, of Scandinavian descent, was born

at Carrickblacker, Co Armagh, on September 1 st

1777. He was the son of Stewart Blacker, Archdeacon

of Dromore and Dean of Leighlin, and Eliza,

daughter of Sir Hugh Hill, Bart, M.P. After a few

years at the Royal School of Armagh, he entered

Trinity College, Dublin, in 1796, and he had as fellow

students such distinguished notabilities as Tom

Moore, Robert Emmet, Wilson Croker, and others.

In 1799 he graduated B.A., and proceeded M.A. in

1803, being at that date an avowed member of the

Orange Society. In 1805 he obtained a commission

in the 60th Regiment, of which he became Lieutenant

Colonel in 1812 ; and in 1817—being then married to

Anne daughter of Sir Andrew Ferguson, of Derry—

was given the post of Vice Treasurer of Ireland.

As early as 1815 he wrote ballad on William

Wallace, and then followed his first published song

No Surrender," written for the 12th of July, 1817.

During the years to 1827 he wrote much prose

and verse, In the latter year he succeeded to the

Carrickblacker estate on the death of his father, Dean

Blacker (December 1st, 1826). Between 1833 and

1840 he contributed many poems to the Dublin

University Magazine under the nom de plume of

Fitzstewart, Bannside," and published his rousing ballad„

Oliver's Advice," in 1834. This ballad contains the

oft-quoted line :—

" So put your trust in God, my boys, and keep

your powder dry."

His ballad of " The Battle of the Boyne " appeared

in the Dublin University Magazine for March, 1839.

Colonel Blacker was High 'Sheriff of Armagh in

1811, and on January 17th, 1817, he was granted

the freedom of the city of Dublin. He declined to

stand for Parliamentary honours on several occasions,

but was a prominent figure in political circles, notably

as champion of Orangeism, and as a, consistent

opponent of Catholic Emancipation. In 1842 he

published a volume of verse entitled : " Ardmagh, a

Chronicle," and later appeared " A Tale of Woe, for

Children," followed by " Emmaus, a tale for Easter."

At length, after a strenuous life of 77 years, he died

on November 25th, 1855, leaving behind, in manuscript,

three quarto volumes of prose and verse.

It may be added that the tune of " No Surrender”

is coeval with the famous seige of Derry, in 1689, and

it was printed in 1731, and again in 1791, also by

O'Farrell in 1801, and in the " Ordnance Memoir "

of Londonderry in 1837. Visitors to Derry may be

interested to know that, on the anniversary of the

Shutting of the Gates of Derry (December 18th) in

1839, the colours taken from the French during the

seige were renewed, or rather replaced, by banners, of

pure white silk, presented by the Conservative ladies

of County Derry, and duly hung on each side of the

chancel window, at which ceremony Colonel Blacker

was present.