HARTLIP PARISH MAGAZINE.

JUNE, 1917.

Dear Friends,

My first word this month must be one of gratitude, for your kind commiseration in my illness; sympathy is a helpful tonic when one is at the bottom of the ladder. And equally enheartening have been the expressions welcome and congratulation both written and spoken which I have received on returning home.

The early spring weather, which was quite severely winterly, found out the weak places in many constitutions, and that may have something to do with the amount of sickness in the parish, especially amongst our elders; who I trust will soon recover.

We were very sorry to hear of the sudden illness of our Churchwarden, Mr. Denson, in the latter part of April. But we are all equally glad to know that he is making (at this date I write) steady progress towards recovery; and we trust our good wishes for that end will be a contributing cause.

It is perfectly astonishing the amount of money which is raised these days for various objects. The St. George's sale of flags for the War Work Depot in Sittingbourne was amazing to realise over £400, of which Hartlip contributed £1 17s. 6d., not at all bad, which Mrs. Labrum kindly managed, with the assistance of many enthusiastic young helpers.

Then a request was made that the G.F.S. should collect towards two munition huts for Girls at War Work, costing £450 each. Three or four of our members took cards, and through their energy and perseverance the sums of £1 18s. was collected by our little Branch. At the time of writing it is suggested that another effort should be made on behalf of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Rochester: seeing that the Sunday collections in 1916 did not equal the expenditure. Our Church Collection was £3 6s. 1d., but that does not represent what we do for non-parochial objects, seeing that our total last year for objects outside the parish was over £30, including Montenegro and Serbia, Armenia, British Red Cross, Agricultural Benevolent Institution, etc., etc. Therefore our Church Collections cannot be equally large for all outside objects, seeing we help so many.

However, when, four months hence, we have our Sunday Collection on behalf of the Hospital, I sincerely hope we shall do our best for that excellent Institution, to which Hartlip is so much indebted.

As Rogation Tuesday draws near every year, one feels very anxious as to what the weather may be, for our Open-air Service in the Churchyard. For the seventh year the weather favoured us, and we initially foregathered on the north side of the Clock at 7 p.m. The service was - with slight variations - the same as in former years. The small choir, who did their level best, was loyally backed up by the sopranos in the congregation, thus ensuring, the psalms and hymns going well.

And in this connection the organ was a great source of strength to all who tried to sing: and seeing that it required to be carried from place to place, during the processional hymns, we would gratefully remember the two stalwart Sidemen who took the Musical Box in hand.

Several neighbouring clergy wrote regretting their absence from this service. Our good neighbour the Rev. J. M. Tamplin read the lesson on the N. and E. sides: and the Rural Dean, Rev. J. G. Easton, read the lesson on the S. and W. sides. After a brief address and the Vesper Hymn, there followed as a recessional "O God, our help in ages past."

So ended an ancient and impressive service, modernised to suit the present emergency. We prayed for the safety of our merchant ships bringing us food across the ocean. Were we accustomed to do this in peace times? I fear not. Then if we are as thoughtful as we should be, these war days ought to be leading us all, to realise (1) how absolutely dependent we are upon our heavenly Father for "our daily bread:" and (2) what a duty we owe Him of worship and love. For after all "all good things around us they come from heaven above," is truth which is apt to be overlooked by many.

We have had a novel experience during May in Church, by having a Proclamation read in the Service. Such a proceeding has not occurred for something like a century. Therefore, it shows that the King and those advising him view the state we are in as regards bread and flour as very serious indeed for His Majesty to take this action.

The situation is much the same as regards sugar.

Your Faithful Friend and Pastor,

J. S. McMILLAN.

OFFERTORIES.
				£	s.	d.
April	1	-	Church Expenses	1	1	3
"	8 and 9 - Dilapidations			4	0	0
"	15	-	Sick and Poor	0	15	7
"	22	-	Church Expenses	0	8	10
"	29	-	Organ and Choir Fund	1	3	1

CALENDAR.
June	3	-	Return Ember Envelopes.
"	11	-	St. Barnabas. 10.30, Holy Communion.
"	24	-	Intercessions for the G.F.S. at 8 a.m., Holy Communion. Will all members try to attend this Service?
"	29	-	St. Peter. 10.30, Holy Communion.

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