Hartlip Parish Magazine - December, 1917.

Dear Friends,

These are days of sadness, and vacant chairs. Two former parishioners were recently called to their rest. Many of you knew Lieut.-Col. Thompson, D.S.O., R.E. (Capt. when he resided at the Cottage). He was very keen on the war and to do his bit: he took out a signalling Company to France in 1914; became a brigade major; and given a command in the Essex Regiment, received the D.S.O. in 1916, and on October 14 last was killed.

Mrs. Thompson has our sincere sympathy, as also Master Jimmie.

George Eason. senr. who lived so long at Bradfield, and was known all over the countryside as a thorough hard working Bailiff. He was a sidesman at one time, and none was ever more punctilious in the performance of the duties. He had a very trying illness for some while, during which I occasionally saw him; but he had the regular ministrations of Canon Hardcastle, who was most kind to him. We feel for Mrs. Eason and the family in their sorrow.

We hope to have collections on December 9, for Foreign Mission. This is a most important subject, viz., raising the funds by which to keep Christ's flag flying in the Mission Field. The past three years have been very strenuous ones; none of the grants have been reduced, no Missions have been closed, no missionary has been withdrawn. But if the work is to be maintained "and if we are to discharge the obligation already incurred" (to quote the Archbishop) "we must, at this great hour of difficulty and anxiety, make an effort worthy of our sacred cause. God knows, it is not easy, for the demands upon us grow and grow on every side, as the war runs on. But we have in this matter an overmastering obligation, lest the trust which God lays upon us be unfulfilled." For a Mission to be closed, for lack of funds, would probably mean in the eyes of non-Christians, that the Gospel cause must be waning. God forbid. I therefore most earnestly ask you to contribute all you possibly can on December 9, for Christ's sake.

We have very helpful Intercession Services, with a hymn, on Wednesdays at 3 o'clock in the Stunt Chapel, let a few more make an effort to come, to pray for our country and our heroes, so that our numbers may continue to increase.

The great Festival of the Lord's Nativity is once again close by. It tells us of "good will towards men": that, bygones should be bygones - that we should bear good will to all around, and so heal and close up all little wounds of the past. Surely heaven rejoices when earth is at peace. And this is a fitting frame of mind in which to approach the Lord's Table, a privilege which should not be refused or ignored on Christmas Day when we should offer our united prayers and thanksgiving on behalf of our sailors, soldiers, and airmen, who will know we are doing this. Then there are the many bereaved and mourning this Christmas, in the midst of our joy. Let us remember the broken-hearted. I would most earnestly ask you to use Sunday, December 30, as if it were the last day of the old year, and one of the best ways is to spend it in God's House, quietly reviewing the past, and solemnly contemplating the anxious future, both for our own souls, and as regards our fatherland.

I pray that God's blessing may rest upon you and all yours; not forgetting the sick and ailing, as also the brave boys at the Front this Christmastide.

Your faithful friend and Pastor,

J. S. McMILLAN.

CALENDAR.
Dec.2-Advent Sunday.
"9-Sermons for Society for Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.
"16-Ember Envelopes, take home for pence.
"19, 21, 22 - Ember Days.
"21-St. Thomas A.M.; Mattins, 10.
"23-Return Ember Envelopes
"25-Christmas Day:
8.0, Holy Communion.
11.0, Morning Service and Holy Communion.
"26-St. Stephen, 10.30, Holy Communion.
"27-St. John, A.E., 10.30, Holy Communion
"28-Innocents' Day 11.0, Children's Service with a Collection for Waifs and Strays Society.

Sunday Evening Service is at 3 o'clock.

Wednesday, Intercession Service, at 3 o'clock.