Hartlip Parish Magazine - on-line archive
February 1915 : page 2 (of 2)
HARTLIP PARISH MAGAZINE.
FEBRUARY, 1915.
Dear Friends,
A few months ago Mrs. McMillan made a house-to-house collection for the poor Belgians in Belgium, which realised £8 2s. 6d. On Christmas Day we gave out of the Church Offertory £2. Then Messrs. Labrum and Stevens organised a Concert to assist the same fund, which was given on Wednesday, December 30, in the Schools, to a large audience, who were quite delighted with the A1 programme, as it was certainly one of the best ever given in the village.
The inclusive takings amounted to £7 10s. 7d., with the net handsome balance of £6 10s. 10d. which is quite the high-water mark of Hartlip Concerts; and the promoters are to be congratulated. Thus in a brief period our little parish has sent up to the Belgian Fund, £16 13s. 4d.
We struck out a new line this New Year's Eve by holding a SPECIAL SERVICE on the last night of the old year at 7.30, combined with the Intercessions for the War. A goodly number attended, and we had a very impressive service, as we reflected upon the fading year with its sins and failures and opportunities, and thought of 1915 with all its possibilities for good and evil.
About sunrise on the gladsome Festival of the Epiphany, the spirit of our villager, Ellen Kitchingham, passed peacefully away into the borderland where there is "no more pain." It is difficult to realise that she has gone from us, that her place in Church will be vacant; and that we shall no more have the opportunity of conversing with one who, in every sense, was always gentle, genial and guileless: never out of her place, because nature's lady could never be that. Possibly, while here below, she lived in the world whither she has gone.
Ash Wednesday is February 17. Our services that day will be as under. Possibly never before has this solemn season come to us with such a call to repentance, quiet thought and public worship as at this time.
We remember how in the disastrous days of the Boer War, God spoke to us by terrible reverses, and awful loss of brave lives: and our Churches were filled with earnest worshippers, for we repented like Nineveh of old, and God, on seeing our repentance, gave us peace. But since then, as a people we have become prouder, more self-satisfied, more taken up with our own affairs, and less with God's, and His worship. Therefore, we are more hardened, and less easily roused up that even this, the most terrible of wars, has hitherto failed to awaken some from their sleep of indifference.
It is true that in some big places the Churches are crowded week by week: in others a congregation of 200 meet nightly to intercede with God yes; there are many, thank God, who are in earnest but what of the others? Let us pray for them. The expe-
-riences of the brave men in the trenches just now are truly awful. We can, at least, meet to pray for them. Let us use the Lenten services all we can, and blessing must come to us and those prayed for.
Another humble request is that, if possible, you would offer a short prayer at 12 o'clock; 1st, for our brave soldiers and sailors in the battle line; and 2nd, for our brave soldiers fighting Christ's battle in the Mission field: both equally need our prayers, let us give them and so do our part at home. The enclosed picture, "The Call to Prayer," will help us in this.
The Special preacher all day on Temperance Sunday, February 21, will be Mr. Fleming, a Layman, who as last year will address the MEN, at 3 o'clock. All the Men of the Parish are most heartily invited, and to bring a friend also.
The Litany and a Reading each Friday, as usual, at 3 p.m., which lasts about 25 minutes; of course all are Welcome to attend this quiet, helpful, short service.
Your faithful friend and Pastor,
J. S. McMILLAN.
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| OFFERTORIES IN DECEMBER. | ||||||
| £ | s. | d. | ||||
| Dec. | 6 | - | Church Expenses | 0 | 19 | 11 |
| " | 13 | - | S.P.G. | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| " | 20 | - | Church Expenses | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| " | 25 | - | For Belgians in Belgium | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| " | 25 | - | Sick and Poor | 0 | 3 | 8 |
| " | 26 | - | National Society | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| " | 27 | - | "Church Army" War Fund | 1 | 7 | 3 |
| " | 28 | - | 10.30, National Society | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| " | 28 | - | 11 a.m. Waifs and Strays | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| " | 31 | - | National Society | 0 | 2 | 6 |
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| BURIALS. | |||
| Jan. | 6 | - | William Davis (Workhouse), aged 63 years. |
| " | 9 | - | Ellen Kitchingham, aged 57 years. |
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| CALENDAR. | |||
| Feb. | 1 | - | Purification of the B.V.M. Holy Communion, 10.30 a.m. |
| " | 17 | - | Ash Wednesday (First Day of Lent). 8.30 Children's Service, 10.30 Holy Communion. 7.30 Evening Service. |
| " | 21 | - | Special Preacher, Mr. John L. Fleming, at 11.0 Morning Service. 3.0 MEN'S SERVICE. 6.30 Evening Service. |
| " | 24 | - | St. Matthias, 10.30 Holy Communion. 7.30 Preacher, Vicar of Stockbury. |