HARTLIP PARISH MAGAZINE.

FEBRUARY, 1912.

Dear Friends,

Rain has interfered with many events and days this winter, and so it did on Sunday, December 10, one of the wildest days on record, when the Rev. A. S. Dendy and I exchanged in the evening. The offertories were consequently less than the previous year; so that the sum total sent up to the S.P.G. was £4 10s. 7d. Foreign Missions - though we are slow to realise it - have a supreme claim upon us, therefore, if we are not annual subscribers, we could have a collecting-box!

I am very pleased to acknowledge here the work done month by month on behalf of S.P.G. "Medical Missions" by Mrs. Denson's Working Party. Seventeen garments have just been sent to Headquarters, which will be forwarded to India in due course, "so nicely and neatly made and of good materials," to quote the very appreciative letter of acknowledgment.

On Wednesday, December 27, the Choir boys met at the Vicarage at 6.30, when they enjoyed their Christmas Tea and specially-prepared cakes. Then table games of various kinds followed, in which all joined. At the close the Carol singing money was distributed amongst them, each going home with "pockets full of pence and hearts full of glee."

The Sunday School Winter Treat was held in the Schoolroom on Friday, December 29, when tea was laid for 4 o'clock; this having been done justice to by all concerned, games were initiated by Miss Locke, Mrs. Wix, Miss Faussett Osborne, and the teachers.

We were pleased several parents came to see the fun at 6 o'clock. Pasha Ali Baba arrived, who, when the curtain was removed, was seen standing on a table at a small window, with legs so short, and arms very long, told his excited and attentive audience that he had come instead of Father Christmas, a long way. Then from "below" he brought forth presents of all kinds exactly suited to every scholar, yes, and every teacher, too.

The Vicar then called for three cheers for Pasha Ali Baba, and expressed the hope that he might visit us again some day.

Before the finale, Miss Faussett Osborne proposed, and Miss Locke seconded, a hearty vote of thanks to the Vicar and Mrs. McMillan for all the care and thought in organising this Treat, which was carried with acclamation.

The last day of the year being on a Sunday lent a certain solemnity to our Services, especially the evening one, which was very impressive, all present realising the vital truth that "Time, like an ever rolling stream, bears all its sons away."

We hope to have an Entertainment on February 15 in aid of the Heating Fund. It will be a first-class one and amusing, to which I, hope all will come.

Miss Faussett Osborne is arranging a "Sacred" Concert for February 28, notice of which will be duly given.

I hope to send tickets of admission to those who take in our Parish Magazine for the Lantern Lecture on February 8 in the Schoolroom, to be given by Frederick Sherlock, Esq., the exceedingly busy, much sought after, Editor of our "Church Monthly." It will be a treat to hear him, and quite an education, and I trust that each will take advantage of this opportunity.

February 21 ushers in once more the solemn season of Lent, lasting forty days, in memory of our Lord's fast and trials in the Wilderness. Oh that we might make - shall I say - a similar use of it, by subduing the flesh, and setting our face, by God's grace, to resist the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and so strive after the freedom by which Christ hath made us free. The Services for Ash Wednesday are given below. The Litany will be said and a Devotional Reading on Wednedays at 10.30, and Fridays at 3. On the Thursday, at 7.30 p.m., the Rev. J. G. Easton, Rector of Murston, will again favour us with a course of sermons, his last being so much appreciated. I am sure this will also.

I remain, yours sincerely,

J. S. McMILLAN.

OFFERTORIES IN DECEMBER.
£s.d.
Dec.3-Church Expenses106
"7-Mission to Seamen (Lantern Lecture)0152
"10-S.P.G0184
"14-C.P.A Society068
"17-Church Expenses0163
"24-Church Expenses114
"25-Sick and Poor1172
"28-National Society025
"31-Organ and Choir Fund0171
HOLY BAPTISM.
Jan.7-Richard Thomas, son of Fred Walter and Agnes Ellen Smith, Chisley.
CALENDAR.
Feb.2-The Purification. Holy Communion 10.30 a.m.
"8-Lantern Lecture by Fredk. Sherlock Esq., Editor of the "Church Monthly," 7.30 p.m., in Schoolroom.
"21-Ash Wednesday. 8.30, Children's Service; 10.30 Holy Communion 7.30, Evening Service.
"23-Litany and Devotional Reading, 3.
"24-St. Matthias. Holy Communion, 10.30 a.m.
"28-Litany and Reading, 10.30.
"29-Lenten Service. Preacher, J. G. Easton, 7.30 p.m.