HARTLIP PARISH MAGAZINE.

APRIL, 1912.

Dear Friends,

For over three weeks now the country has been in the throes of an Industrial War, and with, at the time of writing, no immediate prospect of a settlement. It is sad in the extreme to contemplate the sufferings of the poor, the aged, and the infirm, who have nothing to do with this dispute, but are helpless to protect themselves against the want and privations which the Coal Strike entails. It is hard on the able-bodied men and women who are thrown out of employment because of the lack of coal; and also those coal miners who are longing to go back to work, but DURST NOT, for fear of their lives. If ample protection were guaranteed to the miners who are willing and desirous to work, no doubt the chief obstacle to the termination of the strike would be removed. The feeling is growing stronger, first, that men MUST have the LIBERTY to work when the mines are open; and, secondly, that the country must not be deprived of coal, of which there are hundreds of tons in stock, simply because the miners object to its being removed during the strike. Let us not, however, forget that the issues are in the hands of God, and pray at home - as we do in Church - for a speedy termination of this national danger.

It is sad to reflect that at this season, when the Sacrament of Love was instituted by our Lord, some of those who bear His name should be agitating in Parliament to deprive the Church in Wales of the means of support by which she is doing His work. Surely that can not be His will. Please read the enclosed information thereon.

A Concert-Lantern Lecture was given on February 28, the former by Miss Fausett Osborne's String Band, which showed signs of improvement from a year ago, and the Lecture was given by Mr. T. E. Denson, being an interesting account of his tour in Palestine of a year ago - this was illustrated by excellent views, which were shown to advantage by the Vicar's Lantern. The proceeds, which amounted to about £5 15s., were in aid of the Heating Fund of the Church.

Mrs. McMillan's Entertainment, which was postponed, owing to the death of Mrs. H. Webb, till Easter week, has now been indefinitely deferred, owing to the holidays of the performers and the difficulty in fixing a suitable date.

The Confirmation for the six - in all - neighbouring Parishes, took place on Friday, March 22, at Rainham Church, at 3. The Bishop of Croydon spoke very earnestly, giving them useful advice, which I trust the Candidates will long remember, especially as to the VALUE of the Catechism, not only at the present time, but equally so as the years go on.

One word as to Confirmation numbers - Rainham had about forty-two candidates, and Hartlip ten (six boys and four girls). Now, seeing that we have less than one-tenth the population of Rainham, we might only have had four candidates, which larger number is rather a good sign.

There will be Daily Service - Ante-Communion - Monday till Thursday in Holy Week, at 10 a.m. The

Week-night Service will be on Wednesday, at 7.30. On Good Friday there will be Mattins at 11, and a Lantern Service at 7, for which I engaged a full set of slides some five or six weeks ago.

I hope the events of the last week of our Blessed Lord's life on earth will solemnise all our thoughts and acts, and lead us to serious contemplation, more especially on Good Friday - the death-day of our Elder Brother - which, of all days in the year, seems a day for quiet and reflection, seeing it is the anniversary of His agony and death "for us men and our salvation." Can't we give up our enjoyments and pleasures for that ONE day, to think of the sufferings our sins caused Him? Then we shall more likely be able to join in the holy joy of the gladsome Festival of His Resurrection. God grant that this may be so with us all. I commend the enclosed tract to you.

There will be Holy Communion on Easter Day at 8 and 12, also at 10.30 a.m. on Monday and Tuesday in Easter Week.

It is the mind of our Church that each Communicant be at the Lord's Table on Easter Day, or within the octave. As your Parish Priest, I heartily invite you to this Holy Sacrament.

But let us not omit DUE PREPARATION that is essential for the proper participation in such a solemn Service, otherwise it may not be a blessing to us. If you read I Cor. xi, you will see the danger of unworthy reception. In verse 28, St. Paul says plainly, "Let a man examine himself," etc., and then come.

Let us, then, rigidly prepare, and also "ask and seek," then of a truth we "shall have . . and "find" the blessing therein promised.

Yours sincerely,

J. S. McMILLAN.

April8-9Holy Communion, 10.30.
"25
HOLY BAPTISM.
March3-Nora Lillian, daughter of Alfred John and Clara Ann Philpot, Lower Hartlip.
"3-Allan Thomas, son of Jacob and Bertha Worth, Gillingham.
BURIAL.
March4-Sidney Frederick Briggs (Matts Hill), aged 2 years.
OFFERTORIES IN FEBRUARY.
£s.d.
Feb.4-Sick and Poor0179
"11-Church Expenses0183
"18-Church Expenses117
"21-A. C. S.0111
"25-Waifs and Strays144