September 1912

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

SEPTEMBER, 1912.

The Sale of Work.

AS we go to press the Sale of Work is proving a great

success. The opening ceremony took place on Thursday,

at 3 o'clock. The room was crowded with friends from

all sides. The Stalls were very prettily decorated. They

were five in number, on one side the Bachelor's stall

with an interesting poetical motto, —

For long with patient skill to please you we

did try,

Your task is far more easy, you merely have

to buy.

Beside it was the Cake stall with an abundance of

tempting sugared dainties. On the opposite side of

the room was a Work Stall, with a splendid assortment

of useful and ornamental goods. Near the entrance door

was the Farm Produce Depot containing a fine selection

of eatables of all kinds. At the end of the room a well

furnished Flower Stall completed the picturesque scene.

Major Blacker occupied the chair at the opening ceremony,

and in his speech asked for the liberal support of the

Parishioners on behalf of the School. He then called on

Mrs. William Moore to declare the Sale open. Mrs. Moore

received a most hearty welcome, and in a few neat sentences

expressed her pleasure at being present, and hoped that the

Sale would be most successful, she then formally declared it

open. At this stage of the proceedings a beautiful bouquet

of Carnations was presented to Mrs. Moore on behalf

of all present by Miss May Best, a pupil of the School.

A vote of thanks to Mrs. Moore was proposed by the Rector,

who also spoke about the extension of the School buildings.

He dwelt on the necessity of having in connection with Seagoe

Parish a school of first-rate efficiency, both in equipment

and instruction. Mr. George Calvert seconded the vote of thanks,

which was passed by acclamation. A vote of thanks to Major Blacker

was heartily passed on the proposition of Mr W. R. Atkinson,

seconded by the Rev. George Bloomer, both of whom referred to

the valuable services rendered by the Blacker family to Seagoe Parish

during many generations.

After the opening ceremony Sales proceeded with great briskness.

Every stall did good business. The Refreshment Stall, which

occupied the Boys’ Schoolroom, was largely patronised, and formed

a pleasant retreat from the crowd in the Sale room. The Sales went

on satisfactorily until the doors closed at ten o'clock. The receipts at

the close of the evening had realised £50 1s. 11d.

The Sale on Friday.

Friday, although the second day of the Sale proved very successful.

The opening proceedings took place at 3 o'clock, the Chairman

being the Rev. Canon Stewart, M.A., of Killowen, Lisburn,

who is known far and wide for his generous encouragement

of every deserving object. In a short speech he

expressed his pleasure at being present, and hoped

the sale would be a great success. He then called

on Mrs. Gray, of Ashton Villa, to declare the Sale

open. Mrs. Gray, in a graceful and eloquent speech

expressed her interest in the object of the sale, the

encouragement of education, and her pleasure at the

success which had attended it. She had much

pleasure in declaring it open. A hearty vote of

thanks to Mrs. Gray was passed on the motion of the

Rector, seconded by Mr. George Calvert. The Rev.

Chancellor Hobson proposed a vote of thanks to the

Chairman, which was seconded by the Rev. G. Bloomer,

and passed by acclamation, A handsome bouquet was

presented to Mrs. Gray by Miss Dorothy Stevenson,

pupil of Seagoe School. The Sales throughout the day were

good, and in the evening the outdoor amusements were

well patronised. A full statement of all receipts and

expenditure in connection with the Sale will be published

in next month’s issue of the Magazine.

The Sales on Friday realised £26 16s. 9½ d, which

makes the total received for sales during the two

days £76 18s. 8½ d. Subscriptions and Card Collections

bring the total up to something £120.

Teachers Wanted.

There is a constant demand for more Teachers in

our Sunday Schools. Nothing affects the efficiency

of the Schools so much as a shortage of Teachers.

would like to see those of our Parishioners who

really can teach and who are interested in the

spiritual welfare of the children of the Parish coming

forward and offering themselves for this grand work.

It is a great responsibility each Sunday to have for

one or two hours the charge of 8 or 10 young lives

to mould them for eternity, but to the true Christian

every such responsibility becomes a glorious privilege.

We have in Seagoe a splendid band of teachers, and

in every class sound and definite instruction is

imparted to the children in the Scriptures and Church

formularies each Sunday, but in large Parish like

this, changes in the teaching staff are always taking

place, and vacant places must be filled. Teachers

who cannot be present should always send word to

the Superintendent of the School beforehand. On

one Sunday in August in one of our Sunday Schools

there was only one Teacher present, and none had

sent word to the Superintendent beforehand. No

doubt, each teacher who was absent thought that the

other teachers would be present, but it is not fair to

the Superintendent or to the children who attend

that such a state of things should occur. Each

teacher should endeavour to keep in view the welfare

and efficiency of the whole school and not merely of

the class which he or she teaches. A post card is a

very convenient way of letting the Superintendent

know. Keep a few half-penny stamps and some

blank post cards near you, and if anything very

important is likely to keep you from your class on

Sunday just send a line to the Superintendent not

later than Thursday.

Attendance in Church,

The congregations last month seemed larger than

hitherto, but on no Sunday was the Church full.

The highest number present was only 336, and there

is seating accommodation for 550 persons, so that

even when the Church was fullest during last month

no less than 214 more worshippers could have found

places within its walls. The Church people of

Seagoe Parish must wake up to their responsibilities

in the matter of Public Worship. Look at the list

of members of the Church of Ireland residing in

Seagoe Parish printed in the last Annual Report, and

compare the thousands in that list with the few

hundreds who attend Service in the Parish Church.

If, when you read this, you realise that you are one

of those who habitually neglect to worship in the

Parish House of Prayer, will you not without delay

take heed to the Bible, when it says "forsake not the

assembling of yourselves together as the manner of

some is."

The Recent Census.

The recent Census contains an interesting fact for

members of the Church of Ireland. While all other

Denominations in proportion to the population have

remained stationary, or declined in numbers, the

Church has advanced by 1 per cent. in the City of

Belfast. The increase may seem small, but it means

that in the period of ten years since the last Census,

the Church has not merely shepherded her own flock,

but has added to her numbers some 2,000 new

recruits. This speaks well for the vitality of the

Church in our populous centres.

Orchard Competitions.

Two of our Parishioners have won distinction in

the Orchard Competitions. Mr. J. H. Stevenson has

been awarded Second Prize in the Young Orchard

Competition, and Mr. W. J. Calvert has won Second

Place in the Competition for the Gibson Cup. Mr.

Stevenson's Orchard is situated at Ardmore, but Mr.

Calvert's is in Seagoe Parish. It seems as if in the

near future the premier place in Ulster will be won

by an Orchard in Seagoe Parish. This ought to

encourage all fruit growers in the neighbourhood to

enter for these important prizes. We heartily

congratulate Messrs. Stevenson and Calvert on their

distinguished success and we anticipate higher

honours for them in the future.

A Profitable Cow.

Carne Dairy boasts of a very profitable cow. In

two successive seasons of 34 weeks and 38 weeks

respectively this cow has yielded no less than 1,000

gallons of milk each season. This record is seldom

beaten. All the milk in the Dairy is carefully

weighed and tested, and an accurate record is kept of

the milk given by each cow.

Hymns for September.

“Let the people praise Thee, O God.

Morning

1st 8^th 15^th 22^nd 29^th

56 496 57 552 177

376 302 289 438 518

273 631 606 468 404

381 335 610 339 448

Evening

577 479 594 256 249

131 419 630 460 420

535 632 295 633 237

574 584 453 579 425

520 557 553 487 315

The above list contains several new hymns not

hitherto sung in Seagoe Church. On the first

Sunday there is a special reference in the Hymns to

Holy Communion. The season of the year has also

suggested several of the Hymns. Some children's

hymns are also added, including Hymn 610, which

is being learned by the children this month in the

Sunday Schools. The Hymns for the last Sunday

of the month—the 29th—are suitable to the "Ulster

Day" Service.

Marriage of the Rev. T, Stothers.

The Rev. T. Stothers, Curate of Kilroot and Islandmagee,

was married to Miss Vaughan of Killycomaine, in Seagoe

Church, on Wednesday, August 14th. The Rector officiated,

assisted by Canon Pounden. There was a large Congregation

present. We wish Mr. and Mrs. Stothers all prosperity and

happiness in their future life. The children of Seagoe

School gave the happy pair a rousing cheer as

they drove off after the ceremony.

Aeroplanes in Seagoe.

It is quite possible that the aviators who are

going to fly from Dublin to Belfast on September 7th,

will pass over this district. They leave Dublin at

1.30 p.m.; and should pass here between 2.30 and

3 p.m., or perhaps a little later. It is rumoured

however, that they intend to fly along the shore near

Newcastle, and in that case would not of course be

visible here. Some of the more adventurous ones

may however determine to fly over the Mourne

mountains, and following the railway line would pass

over Seagoe. The humming of the engines is the

first thing noticed. We see that an aviator is to give

an exhibition of flying at Lurgan Show early this

month.

Singing Class.

Our readers will be glad to learn that a Singing

Class is being formed in the Parish, and will begin

practices early in October. Mr. Hallowes, the

Organist of St. Mark's Church, has been engaged to

instruct the Class. The first meeting of the Class

will take place in Seagoe School, on Monday, October

7th. The charge for a quarter's instruction (12

lessons), will be - for Men, 1/6, and for Girls, 1/-.

This will be a valuable opportunity for learning the

art of Singing. Particulars regarding the Class can

be had from Mr. T. H. Wilson, Organist, Seagoe

Cottage.

Baptisms.

“My covenant will I not break."

Saturday, August 3rd, 1912 –

Thomas, son of William John and Rebecca Major.

Robert Henry, son of Robert Henry and Mary

Elizabeth Brown.

Mary Ellen, daughter of Robert Henry and Mary

Elizabeth Brown.

Marriages.

“I will betroth thee unto me for ever in righteousness."

August 13th—Robert John Gray, Carne, to Elizabeth

Guy, Tarson.

August 14th—Thomas Stothers, Whitehead, to Jane

Vaughan, Killycomaine.

Burial.

" Jesus called a little child unto Him."

August 1st—Joseph Robinson, Joseph Street, aged

ten weeks.

Church Collections for August.

“Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's,

and unto God, the things that are God's."

Sundays—Mornings £4 17 1

,, Evenings £1 18 4

Wednesdays, £0 5 6

£7 0 11

The collection on Sunday morning, August 25th,

amounted to £l 7s. 2d., from which 3s. 2d. was

deducted towards the parochial contribution for the

Deaf and Dumb.

Items.

The Rev. G, Bloomer has been enjoying a holiday

at Portstewart Co. Antrim, but returned for a few

days to assist at the Sale of Work.

***

The Bran Dip at the Sale, in charge of Miss M. Irwin,

did a big business.

***

The Prayer Book Questions and answers in this

month's issue are very useful and interesting.

***

Among the many subscriptions received for the

Sale of Work, two are from kinds friends in America

£l each, from Miss Henrietta Porter, of Philadelphia,

per Mrs. Samuel Porter, of Seagoe, and from Mr.

William Reid, of Seattle, per Miss Montgomery, of

Seagoe.

***

The children of Seagoe Day School helped

splendidly at the sale. Not only did almost every

child give something, but their gifts were also of

considerable value.

Nature Notes.

The swallows are just about to take wing to

warmer southern climes. You will now see them

any day gathering on the ridges of roofs or on the

telegraph wires apparently discussing their plans for

a journey south. It has recently been proved that

some at least of the swallows which frequent this

country winter in Portugal, others no doubt fly as

far as North Africa.

Every year some one of the weeds which

grow so plentifully in our fields and hedgerow

is more abundant than the others. Two years ago

the Golden Ragweed was to be seen everywhere, last

year the large Meadow Daisy whitened the land, this

year it is the turn of the Knap-weed or Knob-weed,

called by botanists Centaurea Scabiosa. It is

present to be seen in every field in Seagoe Parish

with its bright purple flower on a tall branched stem

two or even three feet high. When the delicate bunch

of purple petals fall from the blossom a tough hard

knob is left, hence its name Knob-weed, or Iron-weed.

The Poet sings —

And Iron-weed content to share

The meanest spot that Spring can spare,

E'en roads where frequent traffic comes,

Are not without its purple blooms,

Whose leaves with threatening prickles round

Thick-set, that have no strength to wound,

Sink into childhood's eager grasp.

Old Seagoe Notes,

An Ancient Seagoe Ghost. — We suppose that

in every Parish which claims an ancient past there

must be a ghost associated with it, but we had never

heard until a month ago that there had been a ghost

in Seagoe. However, we have no doubt now about

the matter. One hundred years ago a rumour was

widely current that a ghost frequented the vicinity of

Upper Seagoe. It was before the present church

had been built. Some people positively affirmed

that the ghost frequented a certain lane in Upper

Seagoe and although it could not be seen yet its steps

could be distinctly heard and the weird sound of

clanking chains accompanied its every movement.

We do not know what became of the ghost, but after

visiting the district occasionally for some years it

disappeared and has neither been seen nor heard for

more than eighty years.

Churchwardens of Seagoe (Continued)

1790.

James Willsen.

Samuel Donaldson.

1791.

Robert Harrison.

Joseph Macomson.

1792.

James Lutten.

Dynes Gilpin.

1793.

John Greer, Esq.

James Byrne (Kinigo)

1794.

John Greer, Esq.

James Byrne

1890.

Thomas Gilpin.

David W. Walker.

1891.

James Atkinson.

George Calvert.

1892.

James Atkinson.

George Calvert.

1893.

Thomas J. Montgomery,

Capel Reid.

1894.

Thomas J. Montgomery

Capel Reid.