October 1911

Seagoe Parish Magazine

OCTOBER 1911,

WE present our readers this month with a

portrait of the Lord Bishop, who has

kindly consented to be present at our

Parish Social, on Tuesday, October 10th. The

Bishop will give an address, and it is very important

that the heads of households should be present to

welcome the Bishop to the Parish, and to hear his

wise words of counsel. We hope also to see many

of the young people who were confirmed by Bishop

D'Arcy in June, 1907, and who still remember his

visit. The Tickets for the Social (1/- each) are now

on sale, and an effort will be made during the first

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

week in October to give every householder in the

Parish an opportunity of purchasing them. We are

indebted to Sir James Henderson, D.L., proprietor of

the Belfast News Letter, for permission to publish the

above portrait.

Memorial to Dean Dawson,

On the occasion of his visit to Seagoe on Tuesday,

October 10th, the Lord Bishop will unveil a Memorial

Tablet in Seagoe Church erected to the memory

of the late Dean Dawson, by Dr. Dawson and

the Misses Dawson. A short service will be held in

the Church at 3-30 p.m. on that day, to which all

the Parishioners are heartily invited. The Bishop

will give an address. The Memorial Tablet is a very

handsome one, and has been made by Messrs. Harrison

of Dublin. The frame work is of carved alabaster

and the centre of white marble, on which are

engraved the crest and motto of the family and the

memorial inscription.

Letter from Miss Dawson.

The following is an extract from a letter written

in South America by Miss Dawson on August 11th :

The weather here now is cool and pleasant for the

most part, and we had a nice holiday in July ; the

school broke up for a fortnight, and my sister and I

went to Buenos Aires for part of the time, and had

a lovely time. Our old ship was in, and we lunched

twice with the captain. We had a good deal going

on during the Coronation week, and the service in

the Church was quite imposing; it is a very

pretty little Church. Canon Lett's brother had

the living for years, and is still affectionately

remembered. A new clergyman, a Mr Pieman, has

just came out to it from England, and some of us

hope to go in to-night to his reception.

G.F.S, Excursion,

The Associates, Members, and Candidates of the

Seagoe G.F.S. had their Annual Excursion on Saturday,

Sept. 9th. This year the excursion took the

form of a drive in brakes to Laurencetown Demesne,

beyond Gilford, which had been opened to the

excursionists through the kind permission of Mr.

Uprichard. It was a beautiful day, and the wooded

slopes along the River Bann looked very pretty in the

bright sunshine. The usual favourite round

games were enjoyed with great fervour, and the good

tea and cake provided by Mr. R. T. Montgomery

proved very acceptable after the bracing drive. The

return drive was made via Tanderagee, and the

members enlivened the journey by singing favourite

hymns. Miss Armstrong made all the arrangements

for the excursion, and she is to be heartily congratulated

on its success. We hope the G.F.S. will have

a very prosperous and profitable session this winter.

Bible Class Excursion.

The excursion to Whitehead on Saturday, Sept

16th, was very successful. Seventy-eight excursionists

started from Portadown by the 7-30 a.m. train,

and arrived in Whitehead at 10-30. A large number

of the party visited the caves at Blackhead but a, few

of the more enterprising made their way to the

famous Gobbin cliffs in IslandMagee. A motor boat

was hired for a sea excursion, and provided a very

pleasant variety in the afternoon. The excursion

was thoroughly enjoyed, and all returned convinced

that there is no finer place for a day's outing than

Whitehead.

Week-Night Bible Classes.

The week-night Bible Classes for Men will this

Winter be held on Tuesday Evenings, and will commence

on Tuesday Evening, Oct. 17th, in the following centres :—

Hacknahay, 7:30

Bocombra, 8:00

Drumgor Lane, ...8:00

Tamnificarbet, 8:00

Rev W. R. Crichton,

Our readers will learn with regret that the Rev.

W. R. Crichton, who has been Curate of Seagoe for

the past four years, since October, 1907, is about to

leave, having been appointed to the important curacy

of Hillsborough, Co. Down. Mr. Crichton has done

splendid work in the Parish, and his genial manner

combined with his diligence in work have made him

known and loved throughout the Parish.

Crichton will not be leaving Seagoe immediately,

and so he will have an opportunity of seeing many

of the parishioners before he moves to his new sphere

of labour. All the parishioners will join in wishing

him much success and blessing in his future

work. Mr. Crichton will have as his Rector in Hills-

borough the Rev. Canon Kernan, who is coming to

preach the Harvest Sermons in Seagoe this month.

Offertories during September.

" Our earthly gold Thou dost not scorn."—Keble.

Mornings, £7 19s 2 ½ d;

Evenings, £2 1s 7d

Week-days, £0 10s 2d.

Carne Sunday School.

CHURCH ATTENDANCE CARDS —The following are

commended for regular attendance at Church and Sunday School.

First Quarter: Emma Lavery, Margaret Lavery, Hannah B. Caddell, James Simpson, Richard G. Price. Second Quarter—Hannah B. Caddell.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Harvest Thanksgiving Services.

The annual Harvest Thanksgiving Services will

be held in Seagoe Parish Church, on Thursday,

October 26th, at 8 p.m.

Preacher—Rev. R. Walker, LL.D., Rector of St.

Barnabas' Church, Belfast; and on

Sunday, October 29th, at 11-30 a.m., 3-30 p.m.,

and 7 p.m.

Preacher—Rev. Canon Kernan, B.D., Rector of

Hillsborough.

The offerings on Thursday evening will be given

to Foreign Missions, and on Sunday, at morning

and evening services, to Church expenses. The

offerings at the Children's Afternoon Service will be

given to the South American Missionary Society,

under which the Misses Dawson are at present

•engaged in Mission work.

District Harvest Services.

HACKNAHAY.

On Sunday, September 24th, a Thanksgiving

Service for Harvest Mercies was held in Hacknahay

School. The building was crowded when the service

began at 3-30. The Rector conducted the service,

and the Rev. William King, formerly of Portadown,

and now curate of Gosforth, Newcastle-on-Tyne,

preached on the subject of " The Sower." The

collections were devoted to the support of Hacknahay

Day School.

On Monday, September 25th, the services were

continued, the preacher being the Rev. R. S.

Morrison, B.D., curate of Portadown.

The School was decorated with great taste, the

profusion of flowers being especially noticeable.

The offerings were very liberal. amounting to total

of £3 16s 0d.

The following arrangements hove been made for

Harvest Services in other Districts of the Parish :

Carne—Sunday, October 8th, at 3-30 p.m.

Monday, October 9th, at 8 p.m.

Drumgor—Sunday, October 15th, at 7 p.m.

Monday, October 16th, at 8 p.m.

Preacher—Rev. F. Cole, B.A., Curate

of Maralin.

Tamnificarbet—Sunday, October 22nd, at 7 p.m.

Preacher—Rev. H. Shire, B.A.,

Curate of Aghalee.

Monday, October 23rd, at 8 p.m.

The collections at all these District Services on the

Sundays will be given to the expenses connected with

the Church work in each District, and at the Monday

services the collections will be on behalf of Foreign

Missions.

Baptisms.

He raised them in His arms,

He blessed them from the world and all its harms. "—Keble.

Sept. 2^nd —Anna Sherman, daughter of Stewart John (the late), and Annie Bell.

„ —Clara Isabella, daughter of Joseph and Florence Isabella Killops.

„ —John, son of Samuel and Isabella Garrett.

„ —Samuel Arthur, son of William James and Anna Maria M'Dowell.

"

Received into the Congregation of Christ's flock"

—Mary Jane Bell and Margretta Elizabeth Bell.

Items

The Select Vestry have placed a handsome adjustable

brass reading stand in the pulpit, instead of

the former wooden desk, which was inconvenient in

shape and position.

The Rev. Chas, Bullock, the originator of " Home

Words," which forms the centre part of Seagoe

Magazine, died in England last week.

Owing to a generous subscription from Major

Blacker the proper ventilation of Seagoe Church can

now be taken in hand It is most important that all

public buildings where numbers of people assemble

should have a proper system of ventilation.

The Health Van, called " The Blue Bird," visited

Seagoe Parish last week. Lectures were given by

the Lady Lecturers in Carne, Seagoe, and Hacknahay.

The children of Seagoe Day School much enjoyed

a peep into the beautifully fitted van.

Parallel bars are being erected in the playground

at Seagoe School, for the use of the boys attending

the Day School.

The first wireless messaage sent from Portadown

was despatched on Sept. 12th. The message was

sent by the Rector to the Rev. W. T. Grey, and

conveyed the wishes of the Seagoe people, that he

might have a, prosperous voyage. It was received by

Mr. Grey on board the White Star liner " Runic" in

mid-channel, about eight hours after the steamer had

left Liverpool.

We congratulate Messrs. M'Gredy on their distingnished

success at the National Rose Show in

London. The only medal for a new rose was awarded

to Mr. M'Gredy. This is a distinction of which

Portadown may well be proud.

The Bishop, on his visit to Seagoe, will be accompanied

by Mrs. D'Arcy. The Rev. J. Taylor and the

Rev. A. Murray have also consented to attend the

Social.

Hymns For October.

" Praise ye the Lord."

1^st M.- 9 442 615 590

“ E. 134 621 179 379 492

8^th M. 3 99 136 245

E 243 143 574 397 17

15^th M 560 550 496 467

E 557 594 258 330 562

22^nd M 254 139 356 32

E 217 381 631 513 486

26^th E 429 Anthem 619 422 233

29^th M 39 Anthem 428 550 430

E 455 Anthem 630 422 233

These Hymns are carefully chosen to suit the

special character of the services on each Sunday.

It would be a great help towards the brightening of

our services if the parishioners would read over or

sing over the Hymns before they come to join in

Public Worship.

The Harvest Anthem this year is by the famous

English composer, Caleb Simper, and the subject of

it is the text " The Earth is full of Thy riches."

The worshippers in Seagoe Church are asked to

join heartily in the singing, and to repeat aloud the

responses and amens.

Nature Notes.

The swallows have lingered in our northern latitudes

longer than usual this year. Some were seen

in Seagoe as late as Sept. 28th, but they will soon

have all migrate to a warmer clime.

The prolonged drought and unusual heat this year

produced some unusual effects on the River Bann.

A few weeks ago it was covered from bank to bank

with a green mantle of Duckweed. This little weed

has a most interesting life-history. The seed which

lies at the bottom of the river during the winter, and

spring in early summer puts forth two tiny green

leaves which expand and rise to the surface of the

water. The plant can multiply at an enormous rate

by a quick and plentiful production of offshoots. It

serves a useful purpose. In a very hot summer it

overspreads the whole surface of the. river and prevents

evaporation by acting as a barrier against the

sun's rays. It also provides a grateful shade in the

heat of Summer for the fish which frequent the river,

and it is also useful in keeping the water pure. In

Autumn the little plant goes to seed, and sinking

again to the bed of the river, sleeps there until another Spring.

Old Seagoe Notes.

An Old Bann Boat.—One of the most interesting

relics of old Seagoe is to be seen in the Grainger

Museum attached to the Free Library in Belfast. It

is an old boat apparently some 500 years of age, and

no doubt typical of the boats which were in constant

use on the river Bann in olden times. It consists of

a single log of wood, the rough trunk of a tree, hollowed

out with a rude hatchet. It would hold about

3 people, but the craft would very readily capsize, as

it has no keel. The boat was dug out of a cutting

on the Bann some 35 years ago. Those who would

wish to see it will find it hidden away under some

other exhibits near the entrance to the Grainger

collection.

A Seagoe Record.—Seagoe can easily beat the

record for railway bridges. Between Kernon crossing

and the Boley crossing a distance of a little over

half a mile there are no less than five bridges spanning

the rails. This is due to the fact that there is

deep cutting at that particular part of the line, and

that the cutting intersects a large number of farms.

It must have been a very expensive section of the,

line to construct.

List of Seagoe Churchwardens (Continued).

1746. William Dixon of Ballygargan.

Benjamin Woolsey of Edenderry.

1747. John Beans.

John Eccles.

1748. Meredith Atkinson of Low Seagoe.

Arthur McCan of Ballydonaghy.

1749. William Buck of Levaghery.

John Best of Balteer.

It is interesting to recognise in the above list some

names still very familiar in the Parish.- 160 years is

a long record of Church work for a family. It is

worth noticing also that the townland of Balteagh at

that date had the same pronunciation as it has today—Balteer.

Foundling Children.—An unpleasant and difficult

duty often times devolved upon the Select

Vestry of Seagoe in old days. They had to give

names to and arrange for the upkeep of many

children who were deserted by their parents. The

names given to these children were often startling

and suggestive. For example, in the Registers of

1766 we have recorded the burial of Thomas

Edenderry on January 28th. In the minutes of the

Vestry for March 28th, 1749, the following entry

occurs .—For maintaining John Bushfield, a

foundling child, £2 Os Od. Again on May 31st,

1746, an entry runs—To Murtagh McConwell for

maintaining Jane Walls, a foundling child, £2 Os Od

Strolling Beggars.—ln the Vestry Records for

May the 19th, 1742, we read—To Wm. Blacker„

Esq., for employing some person to drive Strolling

Beggars out of the Parish, £1 0s 0d.