MY LOVE
MY LOVE I love the songs of Nature, The music of the wild; The woods and birds enrapture The heart of every child. I love the scent of Scottish pine, With varied coloured hues; Of flowers distilled by sunshine, And rain for joyful use. I love to hear good music, It stirs my soul to […]
MY LOVE
MY LOVE I love the songs of Nature, The music of the wild; The woods and birds enrapture The heart of every child. I love the scent of Scottish pine, With varied coloured hues; Of flowers distilled by sunshine, And rain for joyful use. I love to hear good music, It stirs my soul to […]
MY MAIDEN SPEECH
MY MAIDEN SPEECH Attention ex-officio’s a’, Chairman douce within the la’, Elected Guardians in a raw, Both strong an’ weak, Least some may ower crueily craw; I’m gaun tae speak. I wus elected by a source, A big majority of course, Wha dae expect my lungs tae force, Or crack the slates, An’ yell until […]
NATIONAL INTERCESSORY DAY
NATIONAL INTERCESSORY DAY Suggested in connection with attending the special supplicatory service in the Parish Church, Ahoghill, Co. Antrim, on Sunday, 3rd January 1915, conducted by the esteemed rector, Rev. W.H. A. Lee, M.A., who delivered a most suitable address based on the words, “The Terrible Crisis.” Dear freens, wae sorry heart A write A […]
NEW YEAR 1918
NEW YEAR 1918 Another year has passed away, What good men fought and fell; What homes are wrecked, what broken hearts, There’s none but god can tell. For such a war has never been, In air, or sea, or land; And who can stop this cruel war But god’s own loving hand. Oh, hear the […]
NEW YEAR THOUGHTS
NEW YEAR THOUGHTS On we go upon life’s ocean, Many a blast and many a storm; While we keep near to the Master, None of these can do us harm. Sometimes darkness gathers round us, And the way we scarcely see, Through the darkness comes a whisper, I am ever nigh to Thee. This should […]
NOSTALGIA
NOSTALGIA When I left Cullybackey My heart was full of woe, The parting was a sad one, But, still, I had to go. I had my Sunday suit on, My old clothes were put away; I was bound for New York By way of Derry quay. I’ve been in U.S.A. For twenty years or more, […]
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER Dull the days of dark November, Nature dying all around, All the leaves of trees and flowers Now have fallen to the ground. All our joys must now be indoors, Round the cheerful fire bright, Shutting out the dark of winter With mere artificial light. Let us pity those amongst us Who have not […]
ODE
ODE “Oh what shall I be at fifty Should nature keep me alive, If I find the world so bitter When I am but twenty-five” – Tennyson What! are you sighing for ever, Through life as you journey on? And why is your life so sunless, Weary, and woe-begone? With nature laughing around you, Friendship, […]
OLD THOUGHTS FOR THE NEW YEAR
OLD THOUGHTS FOR THE NEW YEAR JOB V 8 to 27 We do seek God and unto Him Would now commit our cause, Knowing He doeth marvellously To all who keep His laws. He giveth rain upon the earth, Without which would be dead, So that it yields abundantly, Whereby we all are fed. Yet […]
ON THE MARCH
ON THE MARCH Readers, oor minds ir noo dewllin’, An’ sad ir we at the heart; Far far ayont ony tellin’, Yit Britons maun play thir part. Though war is wicked an’ cruel, We won’t let auld German Wul’ Knock doon, split up, an’ mak’ fuel O’ ocht that belongs tae John Bul’. The Hame […]
ON THE TWO HUNDRETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BUILDING OF CULLYBACKEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ON THE TWO HUNDRETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BUILDING OF CULLYBACKEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1727-1927 ‘Twould take a book to sound aright Our noble Church’s praise, To tell of how she came to be In those dim distant days When Georges First and Second sat Upon the English Throne, And old John Wylie carved his name Upon […]
OTHER MARRIAGES
CULLYBACKEY PEOPLE MARRIED IN BALLYMENA REGISTRAR’S OFFICE CULLYBACKEY PEOPLE MARRIED IN OTHER CHURCHES 1870-1921
OUR BOYS IN FRANCE
OUR BOYS IN FRANCE We often sit and wonder, Our thoughts they often stray, To where our boys are fighting, In France, so far away. I’m sure we all are proud of them, Who’ve nobly gone so far From home and friends they dearly loved, To the stormy fields of war. When we look through […]
OUR PORTSTEWART HOLIDAY
OUR PORTSTEWART HOLIDAY There’s a beautiful spot on the North Antrim Coast Overlooking Portstewart Strand It’s known as the beautiful Rock House Which is always in great demand. We were really treated like royalty By James, Pat and their staff We had four good hearty meals each day Along with a lot of laughs. The […]
OUR SCHOOL INSPECTOR
OUR SCHOOL INSPECTOR (No matter how systems change the visits of our inspectors must always have a powerful influence on the work of the school.) Here he comes! Be quiet, children! Not one murmur! He hates noise. Mind your P’s and Q’s, you fellows! Sit in order! Watch him, boys! Answer all his questions briskly […]
OUR SHANDY
OUR SHANDY We’ll never hear that purr again Or the scratching of your feet Or see you playing with a mouse On the far side of the street To see you sit and clean your coat Would put many a one to shame And the way you would come running When we called out your […]
PATENT MEDICINES
PATENT MEDICINES It’s wonderfoo, my freens, tae see The monie cures for ills that be; A read them a’ but then A’m blessed If A can tell whut yin is best. Hoo sae moonie dee A canna tell, Wae sic a lot o’ cures tae mak them well; Pills an’ drugs an’ pooders nice, For […]
PEACE
PEACE Peace! What a world of deep meaning It brings to our hearts to-day, The terms of which the old Kaiser Shall not have one word to say. But let us first thank Jehovah, For helping our brave men Of United States and Allies To bring the war to an end. Then let us pray […]
PEGGY’S FLIGHT
PEGGY’S FLIGHT You have heard of Peggy the poor wee foal Who was trapped for three hours down a big manhole A woman out taking her dog for a walk She sighted the foal and near died with shock The police were called to the scene right away When they saw it they called for […]
PLOUGHING
PLOUGHING Lines suggested on hearing the Rev. J. A. Lyons, B. A., esteemed minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Cullybackey, preach a very effective sermon, taking as his text Luke IX V 62 “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God”. Just at this […]
POETICAL EPISTLE TAE BAB MCKEEN
POETICAL EPISTLE TAE BAB MCKEEN As on the stream o’ life we glide, An’ up an’ doon we claw, There’s mony a craft upon the tide Oor fancy weel may draw. Some like a stane plunged in a pool, Their circles wide oot sendin’. While ithers like a threedless spool, Are hardly worth the kennin’. […]
POLITICS
POLITICS This troubled little land of ours Is on its downward trend With all its politicians The Troubles never end We thought we had a leader When Big Ian took the seat With Eileen there beside him He sure went down a treat Show me the politician that can look you in the eye And […]
PORTGLENONE AND CULLYBACKEY
PORTGLENONE AND CULLYBACKEY Fare ye well, old friend and neighbour, Now that we’ve been forced to part; Yet for you we’ll ever cherish Kindly feelings in our heart. Long, long years you’ve been the medium, With the help of horse and car, That has kept us in connection With the people, near and far. But […]
PRAY
PRAY O, Thou who rules and reigns supreme, The God whom we adore, In that great name above all names We come to Thee once more. Although poor creatures of the dust, Here as but for a day, We thank Thee for this privilege That, we can always pray. For all Thy goodness unto us […]
PRAY AN’ PREACH
PRAY AN’ PREACH Cullybackey Auld Nummer again, His blundering rhymes like one insane; For he who’s filled with Christian grace Is fit to lead the human race: Ambitious men are not inclined to teach, It’s humility which helps a man to pray and preach. Christians for worldly office do not sigh, Being endowed with power […]
PRAY AND PREACH
PRAY AND PREACH I’ll tell you what, my worthy freen Fou o’ fire as weel as spleen, Filled wae every Christian grace, Leaders o’ the human race, If ambition’s height you’d reach, Life up your hands an’ pray an’ preach. Then into office you wul get, Road to Power’s Minaret; Who wul doubt in you […]
PRAYER FOR POWER BY W. Maxwell
PRAYER FOR POWER On The Coming Meetings at Fenaghy “Prayer is asked…that times of refreshing, greater than was witnessed in 1859, shall come from the presence of the Lord.” – Circular. O God of boundless power and grace! Before Thy mercy-seat we bend; We mourn our sins, we seek Thy face, In Jesus’ name our […]
PREACHER RANDY AGAIN
PREACHER RANDY AGAIN I’m done for now – clean trade at last, Stripped bare tae ilka tirllin’ blast That sweeps misfortune’s glen, My awkward muse has ta’en the fiel’s, An’ left the pad whar virtue speils Amang my fellow-men. The footherin’ jade, that is my death, Unused tae oucht but ploughman’s greath, Wull nae entreatys […]
PREACHER RANDY AND HIS COUNTRY LASS
PREACHER RANDY AND HIS COUNTRY LASS Shades o’ my sires in thouchtfu’ emotion, What rummel is this mang the dry bones sae bare? What uncka explosion upsets the devotion O’ gospel-faced rhymers an’ preachers sae rare. Has oor auld Shop o’ State sprung a leak at the bottom, Or Gladstone been ordered to hand in […]
PREVAILING PRAYER
PREVAILING PRAYER Dear readers, all in this old ball, Which now is far from square, In good thoughts train let us again Call at that station, prayer. There let us read the truth indeed, Mark and inward digest; These rules observe and never swerve, And God will do the rest. In great guide book let […]
PROF. WILLIAM BARNETT HAROLD CORKEY
Professor William Barnett Harold Corkey 1st June 1908 -14th February 1990 Son of the manse, William Barnett Harold Corkey was born at the Dreen, Cullybackey on the 1st June 1908, middle child of the Rev. Dr. William Corkey, the then minister of the Cuningham Memorial Presbyterian Church from 1904 until 1909. After graduating from Queen’s […]
PROFESSOR F. J. PAUL M.A., D.D.
PROFESSOR F. J. PAUL M.A., D.D. GLARRYFORD A native of the Glarryford district Professor Paul was brought up in the Killymurris congregation and received his early education at Ballymoney Intermediate School and the Methodist College, Belfast, before going to Queen’s College where he obtained his M.A. degree in the Royal University of Ireland. He had […]
PUSS
HOME-MADE POETRY PUSS (FOR THE CHILDREN) How peaceful and contented Beside the fire she’ll sit, But if the dog annoys her She’ll raise her back and spit. Up goes the paw in anger, And Toby must withdraw, Or soon he’ll have to suffer Her “scratchers” on his jaw. Her fur, so soft and glossy, The […]
QUEEN EASTER
QUEEN EASTER “Telegraph” readers near and far, Suppose you like a rhyme, And that the Editor finds space, Even at such a time, This book which bears Easter’s good name, Is history right through, Please read it now and just see how It all appeals to you Full true this day. Vashti, good Queen, could […]
READY, AYE READY!
READY, AYE READY! Ready, always ready, comrades, With meekness out to speak The reason of the hope within, Which each and all should seek Oh, that we were so sanctified As to have holy “check.” 1. Peter, iii., 15 Ready, always ready, comrades, For every work that’s good, Then God will fit us for the […]
REFLECTIONS ON VISITING THE BLUEBELLS AT PORTGLENONE
Blotches of blue; blending, intermingling,Laying a vibrant covering on the forest floor,Undisturbed and silent,Endless blue beauty; hushed and heavenlyBreathing God’s splendour,Eternal in the memory,Leaving a lasting serenity. Daphne F. Murphy (nee Page)Dunnygarron, Cullybackey1937-1955
REGRETS
REGRETS A tramp came into the village pub He was known from every townland and club As he walked through the door They all gazed in surprise At his old tattered coat And despair in his eyes He once was a man who had life’s greatest chance As he sat there alone no prospect to […]
REMINISCENCES
REMINISCENCES Oh the golden past, the golden past, How sweet are thy mem’ries still, When the castles we’ve builded have crumbled down, And we wonder that griefs don’t kill; When the dreams of a life are crushed in the wreck, And never a joy is reflected back. The remembrance then of the dear old times, […]
REPLY TO “A.K.B.B.”
Reply To “A.K.B.B.” My dear Miss “A.K. o’ B.B.” Believe me, if yer can, That since I read yer splendid poem I feel a prooder man. I thoucht perhaps I cud reply, An’ bak it bit by bit, But sune, alas, I realised I wuz nae really fit. Hooiver, please accept my thanks, Poor pye […]
REPORTS AND STAFF
INSPECTOR’S REPORTS MISC INFORMATION STAFF
REV CANON WILLIAM MORTIMER WEIR, B.A., M.A. 1868-1936
REV CANON WILLIAM MORTIMER WEIR B.A., M.A., 16th November1868-26th July 1936 Ordained in 1895 he took up a post with the Church of Ireland Church Mission, Townsend Street, Dublin. He remained here until 1898 before moving to Drumbeg, County Down, in 1899 where he ministered until 1901, when he came to the Craigs Parish Church, […]
REV DR DONALD BARTON EDWARD PERRIN 1905-
REV DR DONALD BARTON EDWARD PERRIN 1905- Son of Albert Barton Perrin of Bristol and Foxrock, County Dublin, Donald Barton Edward Perrin was born on the 15th July 1905 in Bristol. He received his early education at the Aravon School, a private primary school in Bray, County Wicklow, and then at the Durham School, Durham. […]
REV DR GEORGE RAPHAEL BUICK M.A., L.L.D., D.D. 1841-1904
REV DR GEORGE RAPHAEL BUICK M.A., L.L.D., D.D. 1841-1904 Born at Rose Cottage, Glenhugh, Ahoghill in 1841, George Raphael Buick was educated locally and at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution and Queen’s College, Belfast. He graduated in 1861 as Bachelor of Arts with first class honours and the gold medal in Experimental Sciences. In 1862 […]
REV HORACE CRAWFORD TOWNSEND, B.A., M.A., M.C., Hon. C.F.
REV HORACE CRAWFORD TOWNSEND, B.A., M.A., M.C., Hon. C.F. 3rd February 1870-14th April 1940 Born on the 3rd February 1870 in Abbeystrewry, Skibbereen, County Cork, Horace Crawford Townsend was a son of Canon Horace Webb Townsend. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he gained a B.A. in 1892, and his Divinity Testimonium in 1893. Hebegan […]
REV JAMES ALEXANDER LYONS, B. A.
REV JAMES ALEXANDER LYONS [singlepic id=31 w=320 h=240 float=left] James Alexander Lyons was born at Newry on 14th June 1879, son of Rev A.S. Lyons. Educated at Newry Academy, Queen’s College, Galway and Divinity Schools in Belfast and Glasgow, and was a graduate of the Royal University of Ireland. A minister of the Reformed […]
REV JAMES DAVISON
REV JAMES DAVISON 15th April 1904 – 15th November 1972 Born on the 15th April 1904 at Oakleigh, Dunminning, James was the eldest son of Alexander and Ellen Davison. One of his earliest memories was the three miles he and his family walked to church and back every Sunday. In the early years of the […]
REV JAMES MCWHIRTER
REV JAMES MCWHIRTER 8th January 1900-31st May 1990 Those who know anything of working in a linen mill will know that the employees in the “Wet Room” worked in their bare feet and this was where James McWhirter worked whilst employed in the Braid Water Mill, Ballymena. Born in 1900 a young James pulled on […]
REV JAMES SALMOND
James Salmond, son of James Salmond, was born in Scotland. Educated at Glasgow Universityand United Free Church College, Glasgow, he was assistant to Rev Thos. Whitelaw, M.A., D.D., Kilmarnock, Scotland from 1906-7 before being ordained at Cullybackey on 19th April 1907.
REV SAMUEL BROWN WYLIE
REV SAMUEL BROWN WYLIE 21st May 1773-13th October 1852 Samuel Brown Wylie was born in the townland of Moylarg, Cullybackey, on the 21st May 1773, son of Adam Wylie, a farmer and Margaret Wylie, née Brown. Samuel was educated locally before studying at the University of Glasgow where he graduated with an M.A. in 1797. […]