September 1924

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

SEPTEMBER, 1924.

Harvest Thanksgiving Services.

At the end of this month we begin our Annual

Harvest Thanksgiving Services, and although the

Harvest is late this year, and the weather has been

unpropitious, yet the Lord of the Harvest is once

again fulfilling His ancient promise that while the

earth remaineth Harvest shall not fail. Our Services

of Thanksgiving ought not to be merely formal,

but the outpouring of hearts touched by the

love of God. He daily poureth out His benefits upon

us. He sendeth His rain on the just and on the

unjust. He giveth to us without measure the fruits

of the earth in their season. Especially is this duty

of Harvest Thanksgiving incumbent upon those in

the Parish who are engaged in agricultural pursuits.

They see the miracle of the Harvest produced before

their eyes. In the spring time they have scattered

the seed with their own hands, they have watched

the growth of the crops through the summer months

and now in the autumn they are thrusting in the

sickle into the ripening grain. We appeal to our

people to join heartily and in the spirit of true

Thanksgiving to the Lord of the Harvest for His

gracious gifts.

The Services in the Parish Church will be held

(D. V.) on Thursday, October 9th, at 8 p.m., and on

Sunday, October 12th, at 11.30 a.m. and 7 p.m. The

preacher at the Thursday evening Service will be

the Rev. Alfred Sills, M.A., who is on furlough from

the C.M.S. Mission in Fuhkien, China. Mr. Sills JS

returning next year to his work in China, but during

his stay in Ulster is acting as Deputation Secretary

for C.M.S. He has had a long experience of

work in the Foreign Mission Field. The offerings

at this Service will be on behalf of Foreign Missions.

The preacher at the Sunday Services will be

announced in our next issue. The offering at the Sunday

Services will be on behalf of our Local Church expenses.

We ask for liberal offerings for the two

Objects. We put the Foreign Mission field first and

The appeal of the

our Home Mission second.

Heathen world calls aloud for our help, and nearer

home in this Parish we require generous help.

Abroad and at home the needs are great, and we

must respond to the call for help.

District Harvest Services,

On Sunday, September 28th, Harvest Thanksgiving

Services will be held in two centres in the Parish—

Hacknahay and Carne. A great deal of interest is

taken locally in the various Districts of the Parish

in these Harvest Services. They are looked forward

to by those who reside near the Schools. As usual

the offerings at the Service on Sunday will be for

the Local Sunday School Fund, and on the Monday

evening for Foreign Missions. The hours of the

Services will on Sunday be 3.30 p.m., and on Monday 8 p.m.

The Weekly Envelopes.

In response to the notes which appeared in recent

issues of the Magazine on this subject we are glad

to record that many of those who had not sent in

their Envelopes have done so, with the result that

our Financial position is better than it was. But a

further effort is required if we are to meet our

liabilities. We require each year to cover our actual

outgoings a sum of £392 for salaries and a further

sum of at least £50 to meet Church expenses, the

upkeep of the Church and her Services. There is

still a sum of £70 to be raised to bring the Parish

up to the legal Minimum Stipend. The Parish is

now classed as a Curacy in charge. This is not a

satisfactory position for so great a Parish as Seagoe

to occupy. Perhaps those who understand fully the

financial position and its requirements will increase

the amount they place in the Envelopes. The

present receipts do not cover the present expenditure.

Our Sunday Schools.

With the end of the holiday season we look for-

ward to an improvement in the efficiency of our

Sunday Schools. This year more than ever before

the Sunday Schools have been affected by the

absence of teachers and children on holidays. Another

new feature this year is that the holidays have been

extended more than other years. Quite a considerable

number of our people have wandered even as

far as Wembley to see the Exhibition. We ask

our Sunday School teachers to attend as punctually

as they can, or if they find it impossible to be present

on any Sunday that they will let the Superintendent

of the school know, or else obtain a substitute

to take their place. All our Sunday Schools

suffer from the absence of teachers, and sometimes

when several teachers happen by chance to be

absent from their classes on the same Sunday the

task of the Superintendent becomes very difficult.

The Parish owes a deep debt of gratitude to our

splendid band of Superintendents and Teachers who

so willingly give their time and attention to the

instruction of the children in the Sunday Schools

each Sunday. We have six large afternoon Sunday

Schools in the Parish attended by some 500 children,

and two efficient morning schools. The Calendar

taught in these Schools is that authorised by the

Diocesan Board of Religious Education. It is very

carefully drawn up and the Book of Notes supplied

to the Teachers enables them to give instruction to

the children in the most effective way. Do the

parents of the children realise how much is being

done for their children? The importance of the

work is so great. The lessons learned in childhood

are never forgotten, and the character of our children

for Time and for Eternity are being moulded

each Sunday in our Schools. Here the children

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

search the Scriptures, learn what the Christian life

means, and receive encouragement in aff that is

good and holy and true. Sometimes the children are

unpunctual and irregular in attendance, and also

careless during the class hour. Parents can in such

cases give great help to the teachers by encouraging

them to be punctual and regular and attentive when

in class.

We hope in some way before long to introduce

into our Sunday Schools Examinations at fixed

periods. Prizes have hitherto been awarded for

attendance only, but we require a further test of

progress in actual knowledge of the Scriptures and

Church Formularies, and this alone can be ascertained

by an Examination in the work done.

Seagoe Day School.

Seagoe Public Elementary School (to give it its

new name) opened after t,he summer holidays on

Monday, August 11th. Work is now in full swing

in every department. The School Garden is in good

order, and by its means useful information on

practical subjects is being imparted to the pupils. Mr.

Alcorn, our new assistant teacher, entered upon his

duties after the holidays. The playgrounds at Seagoe

School present a very happy sight at playtime.

The open space all round the School provides the

pupils with abundant room for all kinds of games,

which are thoroughly enjoyed.

The Mothers' Union.

We look forward to a busy winter session in

connection with the Mothers' Union. It has already

done excellent work and its influence for good has

been felt in many ways. We want all our members

to attend regularly the Monthly Meetings. A difficulty

exists in the fact that some are working during

the day and so cannot attend a meeting in the

afternoon, but provision will be made to reach ail

who take an interest in the work of the branch.

Edenderry.

Our special Winter work in Edenderry will (D. V.)

begin in October. Beginning on Thursday, October

2nd, a Service will be held on each Thursday evening

in the Parochial Hall, except on Thursday,

October 9th, which is the night of the Harvest Service

in the Parish Church. We give a hearty invitation

to the residents in Edenderry to attend this

'Service and thus to help on the good work in Edenderry.

Drumgor Church Hall

The renovations which are being carried out in

Drurngor Church Hall will make that building a very

important and effective centre for work in that District

The Hall is very centrally situated, being half

way between the populous District of Drumgor Lane

and the important townland of Balteagh. It reaches

a district of the Parish which is somewhat isolated

from the Parish Church, and the improvements now

being effected will very greatly strengthen the work

which for the past 35 years has been carried on

there.

The Wednesday Evening Service

We would remind the Parishioners of the Service

held in time Parish Church every Wednesday evening

at eight o'clock. It is an opportunity offered to

our people of meeting for Public Worship on an

evening during the week. The attendance is small,

but many have found in the Service a Spiritual help.

There are many living in the neighbourhood of the

Parish Church who might avail themselves of the

Service. We invite all who have the desire to join

with their fellow-parishioners in Prayer and Praise

to come to the Service. Those who do attend the

Service regularly could help by bringing others

with them. The Service consists of Evening Prayer

and Sermon. The Psalmist could say " I was glad

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

of the Lord."

Off to Canada.

We are very sorry to have lost from our work

here in Seagoe Mr. Thomas Metcalfe, who sailed on

Saturday, August 16th, for Canada. In very many

ways Tom Metcalf helped us. He taught the Senior

Boys' Class in Seagoe Morning Sunday School, was

Superintendent of Levaghery Sunday School, was

a member of the Choir, and a very efficient collector

of Sustentation. We knew of his intention of emigrating,

but had hoped that he might have been able

to stay with us for some time longer. It will be a

difficult task to fill all the posts he occupied with

such efficiency. We have had serious losses through

emigration, and the tide shows no skgn of slackening.

A Social meeting arranged at short notice was

held in Levaghery School just before his departure

to wish him "Godspeed" ere he left these shores.

There was a large attendance, and much regret was

expressed at Mr Metcalfe's departure. The Teachers

and children of the Sunday School presented him

with a Bible. The presentation was made by Miss

Selina Bradshaw. Mr. Metcalfe replied in suitable

terms, expressing his regret at leaving and his wishes

for the future welfare of teachers and pupils. The

Rev. W. T. Wilson presided over the meeting, in

the absence of the Rector on holiday, and in a few

words said how much Mr. Metcalfe would be missed

in the Parish, and also on behalf of all present wished

Mr. Metcalfe a prosperous voyage and much

blessing and prosperity in his future life.

SEAGOE PARISH

A Visit to Wembley.

Two of our Seagoe Schoolboys—Jack Hill and

Willie Livingston—had a good time at the Wembley

Exhibition. They had successfully passed the

Examination held by the Education Department of

Northern Ireland in subjects connected with the British

Empire, its extent and productions. This secured

for them a free pass to London and the Exhibition.

They left Belfast on Monday, August 11th, with a

party of children from various parts of Ulster. After

a quick journey to London they arrived at Euston

Station and after a brief interval visited the great

Exhibition. The Exhibition is situated about eight

miles from the centre of London in quite a country

district.

It is reached by train or motor bus. Every

part of the Empire is represented. The two chief

pavilions are Canada and Australia. Each of these

would take quite a day to see properly. The Palace

of Engineering is an immense building full of

machinery of all kinds—guns, engines, electrical

appliances, wireless systems, etc., etc., are all exhibited

in bewildering variety. This building is so large

and contains so many exhibits that it would take

days to see it properly. Close to the Palace of

Engineering is the Palace of Industry. This is perhaps

one of the most interesting buildings owing to the

varied nature of its contents. In it the Ulster

Pavilion is situated. The working model of Belfast

Harbour has always a crowd round it. The mysterious

way in which the Cross channel boats leave and

arrive in the Harbour has puzzled a great many

sightseers. Every part of this great Palace of Industry

is worth seeing, and it is of great extent. The

Queen's Doll's House in the Palace of Art has

so attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors. All the

furnishing of it is quite perfect, although on the

very smallest scale. It contains a motor cycle and

sidecar which exactly covers the palm of your hand.

'The Stadium or Sport Arena is very impressive, and

the great Pageant of Empire which was being per-

formed during August was attended by thousands

of spectators. The Amusements Park was crowded

with young and old. All possible kinds of Fun and

entertainment were provided. Sometimes the crowds

Were so great as to make it almost impossible to get

near the various entertainments. The Exhibition is

a wonderful proof of the vitality, energy and capability

of the British race, and of the resources of

the British Empire. It was a happy thought to give

the children of the Schools an opportunity of visiting

it and seeing with their own eyes the greatness

the Empire of which they are members.

Parish Register for August.

Baptisms.

Graham—1st September—John Shoolbred, son of John Shoolbred and Helen Graham, of

Edinburgh. Sponsors—Ernest Jones Graham, Alice Maud Coulton.

Morton—3rd September—Thomas Joseph, son of Joseph and Kathleen Sarah Morton, of Edederry.

Sponsors—Kathleen Sarah Morton, Mary Elizabeth Morton.

Marriage.

Sands and Gracey—August 12th, 1924, at 4 Carrickblacker Road (by special License) Valentine

Hampton Sands, of Edenderry, to Mary Gracey, of Edenderry.

Burials.

Cotman—August 3rd—Benjamin William Cotman, Belfast, aged 58 years.

Pearson—August 6th—Dinah Pearson, of Lisnikey aged 57 years

Lavery—August 7th—Ca,roline Lavery, of Kilvergan aged 42 years.

Collins—August 15th—Thomas Henry Collins, of Upper Seagoe, aged 56 years.

Russell—-August 24th —Hannah Bella Russell, of Tarsan, aged 28 years.

Barnwell—August 28th—Alice Barnwell, of Edenderry aged 45 years.

Obituary.

Our record of Burials in this issue reminds us of

the losses we have, sustained through Death in the

last month. Mrs. Lavery, of Kilvergan, after a long

illness has been called home, leaving a family of

young people to mourn her loss. The death of Mrs.

Russell, of Tarsan, after a brief illness was very

sad. Before, her marriage Mrs. Russell had been a

teacher in Carne Sunday School, and was always

much interested in the welfare of the School. She

leaves a sorrowing husband and two little children

Thomas Henry Collins has also passed away. He

was in weak health for some time, but it was hoped

that with rest he might have regained strength. He

was a devoted member of the Church, and loved to

worship within the walls of his Parish Church.

Although for many years resident in Belfast he al-

ways returned to Seagoe for Saturday and Sunday.

He was a member of a family long and honourably

connected With Seagoe Parish. He was highly

respected by all who knew him, and when ill health

came upon him and he had to resign his post in

Belfast the firm with which he worked parted with

him with much regret. His funeral was attended

by the Masonic Lodge of Portadown of which he

was a member, and the large number present

testified to the esteem in which he was held.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

Old Seagoe Notes.

A History of the Diocese of Ven.

E. D. Atkinson, LL.B., Rector of Kilbroney (Rostrevor)

is about to publish a History of the Diocese of Dromore.

Archdeacon Atkinson is already well known

as the author of a valuable work, the History of

the Parish of Donaghcloney. The title of the book

is " An Ulster Parish." It is now, we believe, out

of print. In his new work on the Diocese of Dromore

he has brought together an immense amount

of material concerning the past history of this ancient

Diocese. Each Parish in the Diocese receives

separate treatment. and a list of the Rectors and

Curates of each Parish is given. The book will be

illustrated by special photographic blocks illustrating

the history of the Diocese. No one is better

qualified than Archdeacon Atkinson to write the

history of the Diocese. He has spent all his ministerial

life within its boundaries, and has during all

these years been a keen student of the history and

Antiquities of Dromore. The book will be published

by the well known firm of Tempest, Dundalk, who

have done some splendid work in publishing the

Rev. J. B. Leslie's Histories of the Diocese of Armagh.

The price of the book to those who order it

before publication will be 15s, after publication the

price will be raised. We would recommend all who

are interested in the past history of this neighbourhood

to secure a copy of Archdeacon Atkinson's

book. Seagoe folk will be interested to know that

the book will contain a complete record of the History

of Seagoe and a fine photograph of the Clogh

Beann, the old Bell of Seagoe, sometimes called the

Cracked Bell of St. Patrick, which is now in the

Royal Irish Academy collection in the Museum in

Kildare Street, Dublin. The Bell was obtained by

Archdeacon Saurin from a man named Paul Hennon

and presented by him to the Dublin collection.

Those who wish to obtain a copy of Archdeacon

Atkinson's History should send a Postcard without

delay to Messrs. Tempest, Publishers, Dundalk, or to

the Ven. Archdeacon Atkinson, LL.B., The Vicarage,

Rostrevor, Co. Down.

The Townlands of Seagoe.—A glance at the Map

of Seagoe, or indeed of any Parish, will reveal some

interesting facts regarding the formation of The

Townlands. They seem to have been formed in a

quite haphazard way, but a closer study of their

shape reveals a guiding principle on the part of

those who formed them. The Townlands are, as

it were, strung along the main roads and bye-roads

like beads on a string. The object clearly was that

each Townland should have a road running through

its centre. As most roads run north and south or

east and west the Townlands are broad or long

according to the direction of the roads. The typical

Townland is a section of the Parish through the

centre of which runs a road bordered on each side by

houses and enclosing a strip of land behind the

houses on each side of the road.

ITEMS.

Seagoe Orange Hall has been greatly improved

during the past month by the removal of the front

wall along the road and its replacement by ornamental

railings.

The continuance of wet weather has made the hay

harvest a matter of great difficulty, but the few fine

days of this week have helped to clear up matters.

The Lurgan Road has been resurfaced up to the

Urban District Boundary. It has now for most of

its length a fine surface which reminds one of pre

war days before the heavy motor lorry traffic cut it

up.

The new heating apparatus is being erected this

week by Messrs Musgrave's men in Edenderry Parochial Hall.

It is quite a big undertaking, necessitating

many minor changes in the flooring and foundations.

Messrs. Musgrave's system of small bore

pipes under pressure is by far the best of the many

systems of heating at present in use. It is the system

installed in Seagoe Church some 15 years ago,

and has given great satisfaction . We anticipate a

like success in the Parochial Hall. The old stove

near the door was never sufficient to heat the hall.

The Parochial Hall is proving of great use in

Edenderry. And when the work in that district

develops, as we believe it will with God's blessing,

during the coming winter the Hall will prove, more

than ever before, its usefulness.It is very well

lighted, but when the wind was northerly, or easterly,

it was very cold. With the new 'heating system

this deficiency will be made good, and it will

be well heated as well as well lighted.

We reprint here the addresses of the Curates of

Seagoe, which owing to the fact that they reside in

Portadown, may not be so well known to the

Parishioners. The Rev. W. T. Wilson, 21 Edward St., the

Rev. R. W. Johnston, The Cottage, M'Gredy's Nursery, Portadown.

We express our sincere sympathy with all those

who have been bereaved by death during the

month in the Parish. Many homes are saddened

and lives are overclouded, but the message of our

Christian Gospel is that this life is but an imperfect

prelude to a greater and better life beyond, where

sadness and sighing are done away.

We are fortunate in having obtained as preacher

at our Harvest Festival so distinguished a Missionary

as the Rev. Alfred Sills, who has spent many

years in the Mission field in China.

We congratulate our sister Parish of St. Mark's

Portadown, on attaining their 100th year.