HARTLIP PARISH MAGAZINE.

JANUARY, 1917.

Dear Friends,

For the third time in succession we begin a new civil year under the cloud of the most terrible of wars. Oh, the horrible happenings of the year past: the homes broken up: the lives blighted; the tears of heart-broken mothers; the anguish of the many widows; and the sobs of fatherless children. How much of this shall recur in the New Year? Only God knows. We sincerely trust that the worst is past, though some think not.

If there are not the causes for grave anxiety as in 1915, nor the intense strain of 1916, yet in 1917 - supposing the tide has slowly turned in our favour - the condition of things is sufficiently grave to make every man and woman of us pause and ask:- Am I doing all that is expected of me, to help to win the war? Am I putting every possible shilling in the Post Office for the war, so as to help my country in these times of immense expenditure? or am I selfishly spending it? Am I helping the men at the front in the best way possible, viz.: by praying for them night and morning? and also weekly in God's House joining with others doing this? Am I regular in my attendance at His House on Sundays, and so honouring my Lord before men? and there praying that the Nation may be turned BACK to Him, from its present careless and God-forgeting ways? This is the supreme duty of every right-thinking patriot; and it is what we can do and ought to do. What has our greatest Generals and Admirals said about this? They (Roberts, Beatty etc.) all declare that when Britons turn to God, and seek Him in public worship then we may begin to see the war's end.

Shall we harden our hearts and refuse to do these things? God forbid. Let every one copy the men in the trenches, by turning to God, and seeking His help in the services of the Church: thus we can go forward into this New Year in faith, whatever may befall us, with this prayer on our lips:-

"Lord, in this coming year
Be Thou my Guide;
My trembling heart doth fear
What may betide;
The way is all unknown that I must tread,
Pitfalls of hidden snares may lie ahead,
Saviour of man, oh, let Thy light be shed
Upon my way:
Take Thou my hand and lead me
Lest I fall or stray."

It is gratifying to learn that the appeal for the Fredk. Sherlock Memorial Fund resulted in £82 5s 10d. being subscribed, which has been invested in war stock for the benefit of Mrs. Sherlock.

So far the men from Hartlip serving at he front have been wonderfully fortunate, in escap-

ing death, and in recovering from wounds and sickness. When one at the front was told this he said "It must be owing to your prayers week by week". I feel sure that is the case. But the one exception to this is Mark Attwood, of Mill Road Cottages who was reported "wounded," then "missing wounded," some months ago. He was very young, strong and keen, and soon sent to the front. If he has fallen, like so many others, then he has made great sacrifice in the cause of honour, truth and freedom: of Christianity, King and Country; and we would enrol him as one of the heroes of Hartlip. To his parents our sympathy goes out in their months of anxious suspense. On Sunday, December 10, our offertories were given to S.P.G., when I exchanged with Mr. Dicker in the evening. The amount for this year is much less than a year ago. December 17, the Rev. John Goodchild preached at 11.0 for the S.P.C.K., and the world-wide work it is, and has been doing, for 218 years.

All being well, there will be two Lantern Lectures this month; one, Thursday. January 11, on "Australia," the other, January 23, on "Church Army War Work," in the School at 7 p.m. Admission free; a collection at the close. I hope you will take advantage of these instructive and entertaining evenings arranged for these parish's advantage.

I sincerely trust that this New Year will see us all progressing in the life of Christ, and a crowning victory granted to our forces at the front.

Your faithful friend and Pastor,

J. S. McMILLAN.

OFFERTORIES IN NOVEMBER.
£s.d.
Nov.1 and 30 - National Society049
"5-Sunday School0170
"8-National Society025
"12-Church Expenses01611
"15, 22, 29 - Belgian Children Food Fund046
"19-Church Expenses0150
"26-Quota0112
CALENDAR.
Jan.6-Epiphany, Holy Communion, 10.30 a.m.
"7-Prayers for the Oxford Mission to Calcutta.
"11-Lantern Lecture on "Australia," 7 p.m. in School.
"25-St. Paul. Holy Communion, 10.30 a.m. Lantern Lecture on "Church Army War Work," 7 p.m., in the School.

Wednesday - Intercession Service, 7.30 p.m.