November 1930

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

NOVEMBER, 1930.

CLERGY:

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

Rev. F. W. Hayes, B.A., Edendale, Carrickblacker

Road, Edenderry, Portadown.

CHURCHWARDENS:

Rector's—Wm. H. England.

People's—Gilbert Price.

Harvest Thanksgiving Services

The annual Thanksgiving Services for the Blessings

of Harvest were held in the Parish Church on Thursday,

October 16th, and on the Sunday following. The

Church looked very bright in its decorations of

flowers, fruit and corn. Palms placed in many parts

added much to the grace of the decorations. There

was a large congregation notwithstanding the severity

of the weather. The service was very hearty, and the

Anthems sung by the choir helped to interpret aright

the note of true thanksgiving. The Rev. Canon

MacLaurin, Rector of Killaloe, preached, and the

offerings were on behalf of Foreign Missions.

The Services were continued on Sunday, Oct. 19th.

Holy Communion was celebrated at 8 a.m. and there

was a fair attendance of Communicants. At 11.30 a.m.

Morning Prayer was said and the Harvest Hymns and

Anthem were sung. The Rev. R. Warrington, Senior

Curate of St. Paul's Church, Belfast, preached the sermon

on "Death unto Life.” The church was quite filled at the

Morning Service. The weather in the evening was very

unsettled but a large number braved the elements. The

Rev. W. R. M. Orr, LL.D., Rector of Gilford, was the

preacher. The offerings at the services on Sunday were

given to the Church Parochial Fund for the Parish. Mrs.

Casey presided at the organ at the Sunday Services.

District Harvest Services

EDENDERRY.

The Harvest Services in Edenderry on Sunday, Oct.

5th, were attended by large gatherings and a spirit of

reverent thanksgiving was present. The Hall had

been transformed. A special platform was erected for

the choir, and the decorations were very beautifully

arranged. The music, sung by a large choir, was very

nice and an Anthem was also sung. The Hall was

crowded. The Rector preached and the offerings were

given to the Parochial Hall Fund.

On Monday, Oct. 6th, the Services were continued.

The attendance was large, and the special preacher

was the Rev. F. J. Halahan, M.C., Rector of Drumcree.

The offerings were on behalf of Foreign Missions.

LEVACHERY.

On Sunday, Oct. 12th, Levaghery held its Harvest

Thanksgiving. The new enlarged hall looked very bright

with its decorations. There was a large attendance. The

Rev. F. W. Hayes, B.A., Curate of Seagoe, preached and

the offerings were given to the local Sunday School Fund.

Miss Selina Bradshaw presided at the harmonium. On

Monday, Oct. 13th, the Services were continued, the

Rector being the preacher, and the offerings were given

to Foreign Missions.

DRUMCOR.

Sunday, Oct. 12th, was the day of Drumgor's Harvest

Thanksgiving Services. The Hall had been prettily

decorated and there was a fair congregation. The Rector

preached. The Service was very bright and all present

joined heartily in answering the Responses and in

singing the Hymns. Miss Gracey presided at the

harmonium. The services were continued on Monday,

when the Rev. F. W. Hayes preached. On Sunday the

collection was for Drumgor Sunday School, and on

Monday for Foreign Missions.

CARNE.

The Service at Carne on Sunday, Oct. 26th, was

largely attended, the Hall being quite filled. The

decorations were very pretty and everyone joined

heartily in the Service. The Rector preacher on "The

Third Day of Creation." He appealed at the close for

generous help towards the upkeep of Carne Church

Hall. On Monday the Rev. W. G. Kerr, B.A., Curate

of St. Mark's, Portadown, preached, and the offerings

were for Foreign Missions. Mr. Sidney Robinson, of

Lower Seagoe, presided at the harmonium at both

services and several members of Seagoe choir led the

singing. There was a good attendance.

Harvest Services at Bocombra.

Harvest Services will be held (D.V) in Bocombra

Orange Hall (kindly lent for the occasion) on Sunday,

Nov 2nd, at 3.30, and on Monday, Nov. 3rd, at 8 p.m.

At the Sunday Service the offerings will be given to

the local Sunday School Fund, and on Monday the

offerings will be given for the upkeep of the Hall,

which has been very kindly lent by Bocombra L.O.L.

for Sunday School purposes every Sunday.

Armistice Sunday.

On Sunday, November 9th, a special Service will be

held in the Parish Church. Seagoe C.L.B. Cadets and

Training Corps will parade. The offerings will be given

to Earl Haig's British Legion Fund.

Armistice Day.

On Tuesday, November 11th, a short service will be

held at 10.45 at the Memorial Gates and Pillars at

Seagoe Church and the two minutes' silence observed.

If the weather is inclement the Service will be held

in the Church.

St. Mark's Tower.

The Dedication of St. Mark's War Memorial Tower

will take place on Saturday, Nov. 1st, All Saints' Day,

at 3.30 p.m. This will be a very noteworthy event in

the history of Portadown. Mr. Henry Seaver, a member

of our Diocesan Council, is the architect of the Tower.

Besides the building of the Tower a large addition has

been made to St. Mark's Church. Rev. C. F. d'Arcy, D.D.,

will dedicate the tower. The Peal of Bells will be dedicated

at a Service to be held on Sunday, December 14th, at 3.30

p.m. We offer our hearty congratulations to the clergy and

people of St Mark's on the completion of the Tower and

of their Parish Church. The preacher at the Dedication

of the Tower will be the Rev. F. M. Moeran, M.A.,

Rector of St. Mark's, Armagh, and formerly Rector of

St. Mark's, Portadown. It is to Mr. Moeran (formerly

Canon) that Portadown owes the inception of the Tower

as a War Memorial. The Church of Ireland is to be

congratulated on having in Portadown so fine and

specious a Parish Church occupying such a magnificent

site. The Churchmen of a hundred years ago (1827) acted

with great wisdom and forethought when they chose such

a site for the building of the Church.

Jumble Sale

A Jumble Sale will be held in Edenderry Parochial

Hall on Friday, November 7th, at 7.30 p.m. The Sale

is being organised by Seagoe C.L.B. in aid of their

Bagpipe Band and a portion of the proceeds will be

given to our Parochial Sunday School Funds.

Cottage Services.

Cottage Services will be held during November as

follows: —

Tuesday, Nov. 8th, at 8 p.m., in Mr. W. J. England's

house in Knock Lane.

Tuesday, Nov. 15th, at 8 p.m., in Mr. Thos. Dickson's

house in Tamnifiglasson.

We invite to these services all who live in these

districts of the Parish. Hymn Books will be supplied.

Another Burglary.

We regret to have to chronicle another burglary in

Seagoe Church. The Church was broken into only so

recently as Saturday, August 24th, and now once again

it has been desecrated by thieves on the night of Sunday,

Oct. 5th. On the first occasion the thieves effected an

entrance with the aid of a ladder by breaking the upper

part of the window in the passage leading from the

Vestry into the Church. On the second occasion they

broke the lower part of the Vestry window with a large

stone, thus enabling them to undo the bolt and open the

window. They then made their way to the west door of

the Church and turned on the gas. They lighted the gas

in the Vestry and taking cushions from the seats near

the Font placed them against the windows to shut out

the light. An effort was made to open the safe but without

success. A farthing and a small silver U.S.A. coin which

had been thrown into the drawer of the Vestry table were

taken. An attaché ease belonging to the Rev. F. W. Hayes

was forced open and a pair of gloves taken. Portion of a

blood-stained handkerchief was found partly burned and

pushed under the hearthrug. The felt under the Vestry

carpet was singed. The key of the Vestry press is missing.

Matches were scattered all over the Church, and spots of

candle grease marked the aisle. Two men, Charles Skinner

and Richard Dolan, giving a Dublin address, have been

arrested in connection with the burglary and have been

sent for trial to the Assizes. We congratulate the R.U.C.

on the completeness with which the ease was presented

at the Court in Portadown. The Rev. F. W. Hayes and Mr.

Robert Richardson, Sexton of Seagoe, gave evidence at

the inquiry. The perpetrators of the first burglary have not

yet been brought to justice. We hope that before long they

may be identified. It is a source of much thankfulness that

the Church has been saved from serious injury. Everything

of value had been carefully locked up.

Sunday School Teachers.

Miss Edith Ashe, a trained expert in Sunday School work,

lectured in Edenderry Parochial Hall on Thursday, Oct. 23rd,

at 8 p.m. Teachers from St. Mark's, Drumcree and Seagoe

Parishes were present. With the aid of a blackboard, Miss

Ashe gave a model lesson to a class of children. At the close

of the lecture a discussion on Sunday School methods took

place and much useful information gained. A vote of thanks

to Miss Ashe for her interesting and useful lecture brought

the proceedings to a close. Miss Ashe is employed as a lecturer

by the Sunday school Society of Ireland.

Seagoe Mothers' Union.

A meeting of the Mothers' Union will be held in Edenderry

Parochial Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 11th (Armistice Day) at 7.30

p.m. Mrs. M'Donald, J.P., of Cranagill, has kindly promised to

give an address to the members. A full attendance is requested.

Seagoe G.F.S.

The opening meeting of the Session was held in Seagoe School

on October 27th, at 7.30. Miss Taylor of Portadown, has kindly

promised to give health lectures to the members on the third

Monday of each month from November to March. Miss Taylor's

first lecture will be given on Monday, Nov. 17th. Miss Taylor is

a recognised authority on all subjects connected with health,

and her lectures will, we believe, be most interesting and useful.

A full attendance of the members is expected. Members of the

G.F.S working in Belfast or desiring to make a temporary stay

there can obtain accommodation at the G.F.S Lodge, Donegall

Place, Belfast, for from 17/- per week. There are many other

advantages available to members of the G.F.S., and every girl

ought to join the Society.

A Canadian Tour.

We have asked Mr. Bob Sherman to give us some jottings of

his recent tour in Canada, and he has kindly sent us the following

interesting notes: —

The siren screams, and we are outward bound, gliding majestically

onward to the broad Atlantic. The initial hours on board are, to me,

full of delightful anticipation as I make a tour of inspection to

acquaint myself with the ship and passengers.

It is certainly a pleasing occupation to spend a week at sea, laying

in a deck-chair, joining in the deck games, or dancing, if you prefer it.

The time slips quietly by until we are sailing up the mighty St Lawrence,

under cloudless skies.

No time now to see Montreal and Quebec—perhaps on our return

journey! On to Toronto—Canada’s Queen City—whose profile is

dominated by the Royal York, the largest hotel in the Empire. Parliament

Buildings, Public Buildings, Parks and Museums were all visited, and

then to Northern Ontario. A week of care-free hunting and fishing formed

a delightful contrast to the hurry and bustle of the city.

Wasaga Beach was our next objective. On the shores of the Georgian

Bay (Lake Huron) the beach stretches about six miles and forms a

wonderful speedway for cars. Here sunbathing, swimming and dancing

were freely indulged in, and need I add time passed as on wings. All

too soon we found ourselves in Toronto again. From Toronto, via

Hamilton and St. Catherine's we drove through the Garden of Canada,

midst orchards and vineyards, to the far-famed Niagara Falls. The

grandeur of the whole scene entrances us, we can only stand and gaze,

but the memory lives on.

Now we must bid farewell to Toronto as our time is growing short.

Later, we arrived in Montreal, with its narrow and crowded business

centre. University Buildings, massive skyscrapers, beautiful Notre Dame

Cathedral and Mount Royal standing sentinel like over the whole scene.

The weather clerk was again on his best behaviour as we steamed

under the new Montreal bridge en route for Quebec. Passing under

Quebec Bridge, the Heights of Abraham and the old Citadel confront us

and then Quebec City, clinging to the slopes of the hill. After a tour of

the city, with its quaint narrow streets, we passed the straggling village

of Beauport— which has retained all the old-world charm of a French

village—to Montmorency Falls, which tumble and foam down a cliff

one hundred feet higher than Niagara.

The Albertic has cast her moorings—astern the lights of the fortress

and town gleam brightly in the evening sky and finally disappear.

Seven restful days at sea and our holiday is but a happy memory.

The Sustentation Fund.

The year 1930 is drawing to a close and all subscriptions should

be paid in without delay as the accounts close on Dec. 31st. More

liberal offerings are asked for, as the amount now being contributed

is insufficient to meet our outgoing expenses. Churchmen and

Churchwomen should loyally and liberally support the old Church.

Money is needed for various necessary purposes connected with

the Church and desirable improvements are held up through lack

of funds. Please put a little more into your envelopes and if you

are giving a subscription at the end of the year make it a little

larger than last year. You won't miss what you give to God and

His Church.

Parish Register for October.

Baptisms

The following were Baptized in the Parish Church on

October 4th, 1930: —

Dickson—Dorothy Edith, daughter of Henry and

Agnes Dickson, or Tanmifiglasson.

Sponsors—Emma Jane White, Agnes Dickson.

Robinson—Thomas George, son of Richard and Lily

Robinson, of Tamnifiglasson.

Sponsors – Richard Robinson, Mabel Dickson.

Vennard - Josephine, daughter of James and Mary

Vennard, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Jane Vennard, Mary Vennard.

Private Baptism.

Dickey—Oct. 9th, 1930, Robert Henry, son of Francis

Henry and Rachel Dickey, of Edenderry.

Marriage.

Thomas and Major—Oct. 30th, 1930, William Thomas,

of Portadown, to Margaret Major, of Edenderry.

Burials.

Dynes—Oct. 6th, Henrietta Dynes, of Crossnmacaughily.

M'Kerr—Oct. 16th, Sarah M'Kerr, of Drumgor, aged

74 years.

Sympathy.

We express our sincere sympathy with those amongst us

who are sorrowing for the loss of relatives very dear to them.

We record with great regret the death after a long and trying

illness of Miss Henrietta Dynes, of Crossmecaughily, a

member of a family long and honourably connected with

Seagoe Parish Church. We offer our deep sympathy to her

sister and to her nephew, Mr. Isaac Dickson, in their

bereavement. The death of Mrs. M'Kerr, of Drumgor, after

a brief illness was very sad. Her family have suffered a

double bereavement, for her daughter, Mrs. Isaac Robb,

of Lurgan, died on the day following her mother's death.

Mrs. M'Kerr caught a chill while attending to her daughter

and passed away just 24 hours before her daughter. Mrs. Robb

was interred in Drumcree on the day after her mother's funeral.

The people of Seagoe will join with us in offering to Mr. M'Kerr

and Mr. Robb and the members of their family our sincerest

sympathy in their great trouble.

Almanacs.

Early copies of Seagoe Parish Almanac for 1931, price 2d,

may now be had from the Rector for Foreign Postage. The

Almanac will be on sale at Mr. Vance's, Bridge St., from Dec. 1st.

The Annual Report.

The Annual Report is in the printer's hands and will be issued

shortly. It is very complete and we hope the Parishioners will

study it with care. If any errors are noticed please communicate

with Mr. Hugh Stoops, Killicomaine Road, the Hon. Treasurer.

Presentation.

On Tuesday, Oct. 7th, a large gathering representative of the

whole Parish assembled in Edenderry Parochial Hall at 8 p.m.

Tea was handed round and then the Rector took the chair. On

the platform beside him were the Rev. F. W. Hayes and Mr.

Gilbert Price, People's Churchwarden, also the Rev. J. F. G.

Magill and Rev. W. G. Kerr, from St. Mark's Church,

Portadown. A programme of music and recitations followed,

and at its close the Rector spoke and explained the object

of the meeting. Mr. Gracey, Lay Reader, was about to leave

the Parish, and they wished to give him a tangible proof of

their feelings of esteem and affection for him. The Rector then

called on Mr. James Twinem, who handed to Mr. Gracey a

wallet containing a substantial sum in Treasury Notes. Mr.

Gracey replied and expressed his sincere thanks for the kind

gift which he had received. He had experienced the greatest

kindness from everyone during his stay in the Parish of

Seagoe for nearly three years. Many speeches followed, all

expressing high appreciation of Mr. Gracey's good work in

Seagoe Parish and the neighbourhood. The presentation

was from the Parish, the Mothers' Union, Edenderry Sunday

School and Bible Class. The meeting concluded with the

singing of the hymn "God be with you till we meet again."

Old Seagoe Notes.

A Seagoe Family in India. — on the 17th October,1851,

John Bickett, of Drumnagoon, was married to Matilda Russell,

of Balteagh, in Seagoe Parish Church. They had a daughter

Margaret and a son Robert. Margaret was baptized in Seagoe

Parish Church. When Margaret was quite young her father,

who was in the Army, was ordered to India. He brought his

wife and two children with him. He and his wife instead of

returning home remained in India. In course of time their

daughter Margaret married a Mr. Burns. Mr. and Mrs. Burns

had a large family of eight children, all of whom remained

in India and are now occupying responsible posts throughout

the Indian Empire. The eldest son Owen Harcourt Burns is

engaged at the Military Works Services at Meerut in the

United Provinces. Arthur Richard Burns is Assistant

Government Secretary at Lucknow, Dr. Herbert Burns is

a Civil Surgeon at, Mirzapore, United Provinces, John

Granville Burns is engaged at the Government Gardens,

Fyzabad, Miss Kathleen Burns is a B.A. of Allahabad

University and is now a teacher at Dow Hill College for

girls at Darjeeling, in Bengal. Mrs. May Mar Eyre Walker

is married at Gorahpore, United Provinces, Mrs. Dagmar

Rollo lives at Khewra, in Jheelum District, Punjab. This

is a very wonderful record and very creditable to the family.

Mr. John Granville Burns and Miss Kathleen Burns are on

a visit to this country and were at the Rectory last month.

They are greatly interested in Seagoe Parish, the home of

their ancestors. We will be very glad to hear from any

members of the family at any time. There are few countries

in the world where Seagoe is not represented.

Death of Mr. Simon Tew Foot. A link with Old Seagoe: -

The following interesting note is cut from the "Irish Times."

The Rev. Simon Foot was Curate of Seagoe from 1829 to

1838 and Rector of Knocknamuckley from 1838 to 1855: —

Those who remember the signature "S Foot" appended to

the notes of the Bank of Ireland in the 'eighties and 'nineties

of last century will, doubtless, be interested in the melancholy

significance attaching to a recent announcement in the "Irish

Times" that Mr. Simon Tew Foot, whose handwriting was so

familiar to them, had passed away at a good old age. Mr. Foot,

whose father was a former Curate of Seagoe, Portadown,

retired a few years ago after long and faithful service to the

bank. Of a genial and kindly disposition, he belonged to a

respected family, long prominent in Dublin civic life.

Memorials to some of them may be seen in Ringsend Church.

The Foot family were connected with many other old Dublin

families, such as the Tews and the D'Oliers, by marriage. The

Tews have the distinction of having given two Lord Mayors

to the City of Dublin in the eighteenth century— David and

John, who were father and son respectively—and some of

their descendants occupy positions of great eminence to-day.

Mr Gracey at Birkenhead.

Mr. Robert Gracey has settled down to study at St. Aiden’s

College, Birkenhead. He received a very hearty welcome

from the President, the Rev. L Huizer. Mr. Gracey writes as

follows: —"During one of my spare moments I am taking

this opportunity of sending a few lines. I am sitting in my

study working at a History of the Thirty-nine Articles. I like

the College life well. I have played some football and hockey.

I have made many good friends already. There are three

students here from Ireland besides myself. The College is

beautifully situated on high ground. I can never forget the

kindness of the people of Seagoe. Now the dinner gong

will soon be sounding so I must close this brief note. P.S.—

There is a photograph of Mr. Hayes hanging just outside

my door.

ITEMS.

Next month the list of subscriptions to the purchase

of the Grove Field will be published in the Magazine

The project for the creation of a new separate Bishopric

of Down and Dromore has been postponed for further

consideration.

Mr. Jas. Twinem has been re-elected a member of the

General Synod and he has also obtained a place on the

Supplemental List for the Diocesan council.