HARTLIP PARISH MAGAZINE.

FEBRUARY, 1917.

Dear Friends,

We still see the enemy overrunning brave little Rumania; but from what the Czar said recently, we may hope to see the tide change before long in the opposite direction. The great Rome Conference has been held, of Allied Prime Ministers and military authorities, to discuss plans and co-ordinate their efforts for the common end. Perfect unity we are told exists; indeed, "never in history have Allies worked more loyally, and whole-heartedly together." Of course, the reason is too evident, viz., we have a common foe, we all stand or fall; we all win or lose together.

We have cause to thank God perpetually for this unity and harmony of the Allies, which by degrees we believe will overthrow the foe.

But prayer has its part also in this terrible struggle.

And this is a point we must never lose sight of. The Allies are firmly convinced that they are fighting for a just cause; and in this they have the moral support of the world. Therefore, we can, and ought to pray continually for success and victory, to be crowned by a lasting peace. And also pray that as a Nation and as individuals, we may realise now how God by means of the present sufferings is trying to teach us to be better men and better women; more earnest in our religious duties, and less afraid to show ourselves to be on His side.

The question of the food supply is a serious one, much more so than many of us realise. For example, "there has been a 25 per cent. failure in the world harvest, and as wise men we have to prepare against an increased shortage due to the activities of submarines." If the latter continue to sink our food carrying ships: food must be scarcer, and dearer still. Therefore we are advised not to waste a single potato, and to consume fewer, and to use greens instead and in particular to utilise every bit of good land, on which to grow potatoes, peas, beans, etc. For a meatless meal the Food Director suggests Haricot Beans.

And as regards the War Loan, it is the bounden duty of every person, as far as possible, to save every shilling and put it in the loan.

Some people are helping the Government all they can to raise the money for the war, and in so doing they are helping towards Victory.

But in practising economy, don't economise on Sundays, and so rob God. His services and His work at home and abroad have to be supported; and every true loyal Christian gives his or her bit every Sunday; for they would rather go without something themselves, than that God's work should be hindered for lack of means. Let us be equally loyal first to our religion, and then to our country.

No country has suffered more in our day than Armenia. The way in which the world has allowed the Turks to slay the Armenians, and in this war to butcher men, women and children in thousands, passes our comprehension. A day of reckoning must come. But we can try to keep alive those who have escaped by sending food to these sad people. Sunday, February 4, is fixed for the day on which collections are to be made for this object, I trust we shall give as God has prospered us, to try to save the starving houseless Armenians.

February 21 is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. How are we going to observe Lent this year? It is a season, which if well used, cannot but be a great blessing to us. Let us make an effort to follow the teaching of the Church in this matter, and attend the services provided for our benefit.

Your faithful Friend and Pastor,

J. S. McMILLAN.

OFFERTORIES IN DECEMBER.
£s.d.
Dec.3-Church Expenses0148
"10-S.P.G.138
"17-S.P.C.K.0152
"24-Quota170
"25-Sick and Poor114
"28-Waifs and Strays (Children's Service)043
"31-Red Cross Work151
Special-Belgian Starving Children0133
HOLY BAPTISM.
Dec.25-Leslie George, son of George Henry and Louise E. Renshaw, Twydall.
Jan.7-Cyril Percival Henry, son of Frederick Henry and Emily Annie Leonard.
CALENDAR.
Feb.2-Purification of B.V.M. Holy Communion, 10.30 a.m.
"21-Ash Wednesday -
8.30 a.m., Children's Service.
10.30 a.m., Holy Communion.
7.30 p.m., Short Lenten Service.
"24-St. Matthias, A.M. Holy Communion - 10.30 a.m.