November 1925

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

NOVEMBER, 1925.

CLERGY:

Rev. Canon Archer, B.D., The Rectory, Seagoe,

Portadown.

Rev. R. W. Johnston, L.Th., 51 William Street

Portadown.

CHURCHWARDENS:

Mr. Robert Price (Rector's).

Mr. Thomas Martin (People's).

Harvest Thanksgiving Services.

The annual Services of Thanksgiving for the

blessings of harvest were held in the Parish Church

on Thursday, October 15th, and on the following

Sunday. Unfortunately, the weather on the Thursday

was very unfavourable, heavy rain falling, but quite

a large congregation was present. The Church was

more fully decorated than in any previous year.

A numerous band of decorators worked with hearty

good-will, and as there was a splendid supply of

flowers, fruit and corn available, the interior of

the Church soon put on quite a festive appearance.

The musical part of the services was heartily and

devotionally rendered by a large choir. The solos

in the anthem were sung by Mr. David Murray

(tenor) and Mr. Frazer (bass). The anthem was by

Sir John Goss, one of our great musicians, Miss

Wilson presided at the organ. The Rev. George

Bloomer preached on St. John iv., 37: “Look on

the fields." The offerings were on behalf of Foreign

Missions. On Sunday the services were continued.

They began, as was fitting, with Holy Communion,

the Church's special service of thanksgiving, at 8 a.m.

The Rev. W. Hogarth, M.A., Rector of St. Saviour's

preached in the morning, and the Rev. A. D. Mitchell, M.A.,

Rector of Eglantine, Hillsborough, in the evening.

The Church was crowded at both services. The

offerings were on behalf of the Parochial Expenses

Fund.

District Harvest Services.

Levaghery—On Sunday, October 4th, and Monday,

Oct. 5th, Harvest Services were held in Levaghery

School. The Rector preached on Sunday, and the

Rev. B. M'Alister, Curate of St. Mark's, at the

Monday evening service. The room was beautifully

decorated, and there were large gatherings of

worshippers at both services. Miss Selina Bradshaw

had charge of the musical part of the Service.

Drumgor—On Sunday, Oct. 11th, and Monday,

Oct. 12th, Drumgor held its Thanksgiving Services.

The newly renovated Church Hall looked its best,

decorated with the flowers and fruits of harvest.

The Rector preached at the Sunday service, and

the Rev. F. J. Halahan, M.A., Rector of Drumcree,

at the Monday service. Miss Wilson, of Knockmena,

had trained a special choir of 35 members, who led

the singing of the Hymns and canticles. They also

sang an anthem very sweetly.

District Harvest Services.

The following Services have been arranged: —

Carne—Sunday, Nov. 1st, at 3-30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 2nd, at 8 p.m.

Edenderry—Friday, Nov. 6th, at 8 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 7, at 3-30 p.m.

The collections at the week-night services will be

for Foreign Missions, and on the Sundays for the

local Sunday School Funds.

The Men's Recreation Rooms.

The Recreation Room was opened on Monday,

Oct. 5th, and has been open every evening except

Sundays since then. We are glad to be able to say

that it has proved a great success and has been

attended by large numbers of men. A great attraction

has been the Air Gun competitions between

teams from various parts of the Parish. Shooting

competitions have been held in the Room each

Friday and Saturday, and the following have very

kindly given prizes—Mr. C. Montgomery, 1 lb. gold

medal tea; Messrs. Wallace, alarm clock; Mr. and

J. Vance, box of preserved fruit; Mrs. Sherman,

box of shortbread; Mr. Davison, chemist, a safety

razor. No less than 12 teams have been formed in

the Air Gun League, each consisting of eight members

and two reserves. The teams are from Edenderry,

Carne, Seagoe and Levaghery.

Opening Ceremony.

The formal opening of the Recreation Room will

take place (D.V.) on Tuesday, Nov. 10th, at 4 p.m.

Cards of invitation are being issued, and we hope

to have a large gathering of friends to help us

forward in this important work.

Men's Bible Class.

Bible Classes for men are held on Sunday morning

at 10 o'clock in the Recreation Room, Edenderry,

and in the Parish Church.

Presentation to Mr. & Mrs. Murray.

On October 6th (Tuesday) a very pleasant social

meeting was held in Carne School. After tea had

been partaken of, games were engaged in, the

Sunday School children enjoying them to their

hearts' content. The meeting had been arranged by

the teachers and children of Carne Sunday School

with a view to marking their affection and regard

for Mr. and Mrs. Murray on their recent marriage.

Mr. Murray has been Superintendent of Carne

Sunday Schools for 20 years. At an interval in the

proceedings the Rector presented Mr. and Mrs.

Murray with a handsome Aladdin Lamp. Mr. and

Mrs. Murray each responded, and expressed their

thanks for the kind and valuable present they had

received. The Rector and the Rev. R. W. Johnston

conveyed the good wishes of all present to Mr. and

Mrs. Murray, and referred to the good work done

by Mr. Murray as Superintendent of Carne.

Rev. Canon Moeran.

We are very sorry to hear of the approaching

departure of Canon Moeran from Portadown. He

has been Rector of St. Mark's for the past ten years

—years, the most stirring in the history of our land.

He is much beloved in this neighbourhood, and his

visits to the Parish of Seagoe were always greatly

appreciated. He has been appointed Rector of St.

Peter's, Drogheda. We wish him and Mrs. Moeran

much happiness and blessing in their new home.

Wednesday Evening Services.

The opportunity of Public Worship in the Parish

Church during the week is afforded to the

parishioners on each Wednesday during the year

at 8 p.m. A faithful few avail themselves of this

opportunity, but we feel that the time has come when

the serious attention of those who value united

Public Worship in the House of Prayer should be

directed towards this service, so that it may become

a more valued agency for good in the Parish.

Two meetings of those who attend the service

regularly have recently been held, with good results,

and it is hoped in the near future to make a further

effort to enlist the interest of the Parishioners in

the service. The Psalmist wrote: “I was glad when

they said unto me, Let us go into the House of

the Lord."

Weekly Free-Will Offerings.

If any who read this have not been bringing in

their envelopes regularly will they kindly begin

to do so without delay, as the year is rapidly

drawing to a close. Perhaps some readers would like

to get a set of envelopes for their Sunday offering,

and if they ask the Hon. Treas., Mr. Hugh Stoops,

of Killicomaine Road, or the Rector they will

receive it without delay. Special envelopes will be

issued in November for those who have not yet

joined the Weekly Free-will Offering Scheme. We

are not receiving a sum sufficient to finance the

Parish, and if a second curate is appointed the

difficulty will be increased unless the Parishioners

contribute more liberally than they have done.

Death of Mr. Charles Wilson.

We regret to record the death of Mr. Charles M.

Wilson, brother of Mr. T. H. Wilson, organist of

Seagoe, who died on August 10th at 3 Lloyd Square,

London, and was interred at Enfield Cemetery.

Mr. Wilson was for 17 years organist of Down

Cathedral, and held other similar posts. He was a

skilful musician and had composed a considerable

number of chants and settings of canticles. The

settings of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis which

were sung at the recent Harvest Festival in the

Parish Church were composed by him. Mr. Wilson

was organist of Seagoe for a few months in 1874,

before his brother was appointed to the post. Mr.

Wilson had in recent years resided in London.

Seagoe Mothers' Union.

The monthly meeting of the Mothers' Union will

(D.V) be held in Seagoe School on Tuesday, Nov.

3rd, at 7-30 p.m. Tea will be provided, and after

tea there will be a musical programme arranged.

Eighty Years Ago.

[The following cutting from the Northern Whig

for June 13th, 1842 (?) was found among the papers

of Primate Beresford recently. The Rev. H. de L.

Willis was curate in charge of St. Mark's, Portadown,

from 1840 to 1845.]

Rev. Mr. Willis and the Declaration against Repeal .

The following protest is in course of signature

through the Parish of Seagoe, neighbourhood of

Portadown: —

"In consequence of a letter, bearing the signature

of the Rev. H. De L. Willis, Curate of Portadown,

which appeared in the public journals, being a reply

to the declaration against unconditional Repeal, the

inhabitants of the Parish of Seagoe feel themselves

called upon to publish their protestation against it.

“The following is the passage alluded to, in Mr.

Willis's letter: - “I am now bold to say, that, should

the English Government continue to pursue the same

line of conduct towards Ireland, I, for one, see nothing

in my obligation as a Minister of the Church to prevent

me considering the question of Repeal an open question;

and, under the circumstances, so far am I from thinking

that a Repeal of the Legislative Union would entail

incalculable misery upon Ireland and her Church, that

I am rather inclined to look with hope and confidence

for the reverse of this. And I rejoice to know, that such

also is the feeling of some thousands in my parish and

neighbourhood.”

“Granting to Mr. Willis the right of private opinion,

to its fullest extent, we earnestly deprecate the liberty

he has taken in calumniating and endeavouring to fasten

on the neighbourhood of Portadown, opinions which we

individually and collectively deny and repudiate, both

for ourselves and the thousands with whom we are

connected, and with whose opinions we are fully

acquainted. In defence of our characters, we

unequivocally declare our abhorrence of the Repeal

movement, so fatal to the prosperity, peace, and

well-being of our common country, and shall ever

be ready to aid and assist her gracious Majesty to

suppress any illegal or unconstitutional attempt to

separate the United Kingdom.

"Whilst maintaining our right to express our

wrongs and grievances in a loyal and constitutional

manner, we most positively declare our abhorrence

of the sentiments ascribed to us by Mr. Willis, who,

we hope, in future, will continue his judgment to

those of whose opinion he is sure. If he is inoculated

with that most mischievous, disloyal, and unconstitutional

epidemic, the Repeal mania, we deplore the fatuity which

possesses him."

The Diocesan Synod.

The Synodsmen representing Seagoe Parish—

Messrs. Jas. Twinem, J. G. Gracey, T. Martin, R.

Price, T. H. Wilson, D. W. Murray, have received

their summons to attend the Synod, which will be

held in Clarence Place Hall, Belfast, on Tuesday,

Nov. 3rd. There will be a celebration of Holy

Communion in Belfast Cathedral for Synodsmen at

10 a.m. The Synod this year will be of very special

importance, and we expect all our elected representatives

to attend.

The Magazine in Queensland.

[The following letter of appreciation comes from

far-off Queensland. The Magazine is as much at

home in the Antipodes as in Portadown.]

“Harrisleigh, King & Overend St.,

“East Brisbane,

“Queensland, Australia,

“Aug. 31st, '25.

Dear Canon Archer, —By this mail I am posting

the exhibition number of the 'Queenslander' to you.

I thought it would interest you.

The Parish Magazines arrive monthly. I look

forward to their coming. The contents from cover

to cover are most interesting. I often see names of

people and places about Seagoe and Portadown that

bring back pleasant memories. I pass them along

to friends (when I have finished reading them) who

enjoy their perusal equally as well as I do.

Kindest regards from—yours very sincerely,

(MRS.) M. NESBITT."

Parish Register for October.

Baptisms.

Lyness— Oct. 3rd, Rachel Frances, daughter of John

and Alicia Lyness, of Carne.

Sponsors—Martha Gilpin, Alicia Lyness, John Lyness.

Lyness—Oct. 3rd, Robert Loughlin, son of Christopher

and Mabel Lyness, of Drumgor.

Sponsors—Eliza Jane M'Ker, Mabel Lyness.

PRIVATE BAPTISM.

Rainey—Oct. 12th, David, son of Samuel and Elizabeth

Rainey, of Edenderry.

Marriage.

M’Ilwain and Burns—Oct. 14th, Samuel M'llwain,

D.C.M., R.U.S.C., of Belfast, formerly of Seagoe,

to Ellen Burns, of Edenderry.

Burials.

Rainey—Oct. 13th, David Rainey, of Edenderry, aged

14 days.

Robinson—Oct. 24th, Joseph Robinson, of Tamnificarbet.

The Transfer of Seagoe School.

Negotiations for the transfer of Seagoe School

to the Ministry of Education are in progress. A

special meeting of the Select Vestry was held last

month to consider the matter, and a sub-committee

was formed to draw up a suggested deed of transfer.

Mr. William Dawson, Secretary of the Co. Armagh

Regional Committee, has conferred with this

Committee. The transfer is an important and difficult

subject and will take some time to complete.

A Letter from the Rev. W. T. Wilson, M.A.

[The Rector asked Mr. Wilson to send him notes

about his new Parish, and the following interesting

letter is the reply.]

Cumberland St., Birr, King's Co.

15th Oct., 1925.

Dear Canon promised to write you an account of

my new sphere of work. I shall try and do so as

briefly as possible.

The town of Birr or Parsonstown is on the Camcor

River, about eighty miles west-south-west of Dublin.

Birr is a name of great antiquity, and is thought to

be derived from the Irish word Birra, which means

standing water or abounding in wells and fountains.

It receives the alternative name Parsonstown, from

the descendants of Sir Laurence Parsons.

In the centre of the town there is the old Churchyard,

which contains the ruins of the old Church and which

is also the burial ground of the Earles of Rosse and

other notable families.

There is another graveyard outside the town, now

closed, and which bears the marks of great antiquity

as well as of great neglect.

There is the old Prison built in 1628, and about

a mile outside the town the ruins of Crinkle Military

Barracks, one of the finest in the United Kingdom.

This, with its beautiful little Garrison Church was

burned down during the recent disturbed times.

Some traces of Druidic worship still linger. A

place near the Railway Station bears the name

“Seffin," which signifies Sun Deity. A large stone

in this part of the Parish was carried away to Clare

by Thomas Steele in 1833. It was at this stone the

people worshipped until St. Brendan came. Our Parish

Church still bears the name of the Patron Saint, and an

old well in Lord Rosse's Demesne is known as St.

Brendan's well.

There is also associated with Birr a celebrated work

known as “the Gospels of MacRegal” the scribe,

bishop and abbot of Birr, who died in 820. This is the

largest-sized of the old Gospel Books and contains the

four Gospels in Latin, with figures of Mark, Luke and

John, each occupying a page. It is now in the Bodleian

Library, Oxford.

All round the town are beautiful demesnes, of

which a very striking feature is the magnificently

kept gardens. Worthy of special note is Lord Rosse's

Demesne. Surrounded by a wall of huge dimensions,

it contains a majestic old castle, with beautiful

lawns and lake and garden. Here is to be seen the

great Rosse Telescope. This great "Searcher" of

the Heavens was erected by William, the 3rd Earl

of Rosse, and completed in 1842. The mirror,

composed of tin and copper, measures six feet in

diameter and weighs four tons. The Colossal

tube or cylinder is 56 feet long—a man six feet high

and wearing a tall hat would have no difficulty in

walking up and down in it. So, in Birr Observatory

may be seen one of the largest if not the largest

reflecting telescope in the world.

Just outside the town, on its East side is the Rectory

Its situation is simply ideal—on a hill overlooking the

town, midst peaceful surroundings of green fields and

beautiful trees—the Slieve Bloom mountains looming

in the background. Here for many years lived one of the

most eminent and learned of our Northern clergy, Rev.

Dr. Hemphill, now Archdeacon of Down. Everywhere

throughout the Parish one hears testimony borne to his

helpful and sympathetic ministry which has won for him

a warm and lasting place in the people's hearts.

About a year ago the Parish of Eglish was joined on to

the Parish of Birr; so there are two Churches—the Parish

Church in Birr, and Eglish, about four miles out in the

country. The Parish Church is a magnificent building. There

are several stained-glass windows, the East window being

one of exceptional beauty.

Nothing pleases one more than the delightful way

in which the Church is kept spotlessly clean and

Those keen on sport can find ample opportunity of

suiting their tastes at Birr. There is shooting, hockey,

tennis and golf. The Golf Links are about a mile from

the town. It is an 18-hole links, and has been described

by those who know as "the best inland links in Ireland."

I like the work here very much indeed, and I often

think of the happy time I spent in Seagoe, and not least

those Sunday morning hours with the splendid lads of

Edenderry reading and studying together God's Word.

We got to know each other and in learning to know more

of the Master. I am glad to know the room is also being

used for the purpose of recreation, and I am sure as such

it will prove a blessing. —Yours sincerely,

WILLIAM T. WILSON.

Portadown Roses.

The people of Seagoe and Portadown should have

roses growing in all their gardens and climbing over

their houses. The rose is called the Queen of Flowers,

and the best roses in the world are grown in Portadown.

The Rose catalogue recently issued by Messrs. M'Gredy

is a wonderful record of success in rose culture and is

beautified by very perfect reproductions in colour of

some new roses. Here is a description of a new Portadown

rose which has recently been awarded the highest prizes

at the National Rose Show in England. It is named "Lord

Lambourne." The colour is deep, absolutely unfading,

buttercup yellow, each and every individual petal being

heavily margined all round carmine scarlet, like a huge

sunstar. The flowers are of beautiful shape, enormous

size, immense depth and great petalage. The scarlet

edge gives the flowers a wonderful appearance. The

flowers have a strong fruity scent.

tidy. The Sexton, an ex-soldier, is responsible for this, and

it is really most inspiring the thoroughness and exactness

with which he does his work. Every Sunday morning there

is an 8 o'clock service in this Church, and most encouraging

it is to see how faithfully our people, and especially our young

people, turn out to obey their Lord's command, “This do in

remembrance of Me." A chalice belonging to the old Church

and still in excellent condition, bears the date 1636.

Eglish Church is an ancient one and is situated in a quaint

old graveyard close to Eglish Castle, the residence of Mr.

Frederick Dillon.

I must not forget to mention our Young People's Club,

quite a large building in the centre of the town, with reading

and recreation rooms. In connection with this Bible Classes

and debates are held during the winter months, and at the

annual Missionary Gift Day the young people provide their

own stall.

Then there is " Parsonstown Model National School. "The

School is undenominational, but is attended only by Protestant

children and is at present staffed by Church of Ireland teachers.

It consists of three departments—boys, girls and infants, each

under its own Principal. There are 3 Principal rooms, one for

each department, and two class rooms, one for boys, and

one for girls. The rooms are large, airy and well lighted

and kept in thorough repair by the Board of Public Works.

There is a playground for, each department. The School

is under full control of Commissioners of National

Education, and stands in its own grounds.

There is a very nice Masonic Hall in Birr. It bears the

date 1747, and is known as " St. Brendan’s Lodge."

ITEMS.

Mr. and Mrs. R. Hoy and Mrs. M'Mullen have

moved into their new house, "Hillview," Lurgan

Road. We will very much miss Mrs. M'Mullen from

her old residence beside Drumgor Church Hall. She

was always so kind and hospitable to all who

visited the Hall for services or meetings. We wish

her and Mr. and Mrs. Hoy a very happy time in

their new house.

***

The Rector, on the invitation of Mr. Warren, Headmaster

of Portadown Collegiate School, gave a lecture to the

pupils on Tuesday, Oct. 20, on "The Story of Portadown."

***

New houses are springing up everywhere in the Parish.

We hear of a new village coming into being on the Lurgan

Road, to be known as "New-town-Twinem."

***

The pedestal of the Portadown War Memorial is now

completed. On Wednesday, Oct. 28th, the bronze statue of Colonel

Saunderson was lifted off its pedestal so that it may be

erected some yards further back.

further back.