Hartlip Parish Magazine - December, 1918.

Dear Friends,

"Victory and the fighting stopped, thank God," was the message of Monday, November 11, and the all-absorbing topic of conversation everywhere. Young men and maidens, old men and children in city and town and country were in a high state of jubilation at the most welcome news, for which we had prayed, and hoped, and longed during four weary years.

"Give peace in our time, O Lord," had taken on a fuller meaning in our services, and was the heart's desire of every worshipper. "Lift up your hearts," and we lifted them up to the Lord, Who heard our prayer, and to-day we are as eager to thank Him, as formerly we were to pray, for Victory.

And as we reflect upon our German enemy who hated us beyond words, and who had planned our absolute downfall, we can fully echo the words of Psalm 124, "If the Lord Himself had not been on our side ... when men rose up against us, they had swallowed us up quick, when they were so wrathfully displeased at us. But praised be the Lord .... we are delivered."

We had our Thanksgiving Services for Victory on Sunday, November 17, which in heartiness and brightness were all that could be desired. The congregations - which owing to universal illness, were much smaller than would have been - entered most earnestly into the spirit of them.

Again there has been a very sad week for Hartlip. Young Mrs. Geo. Kitchingham caught the influenza, as also her mother, who had moved with her to "Bradfield"; it quickly developed into pneumonia (the latter was delirious). I wrote out a cable to George at Salonika, telling him of his wife's critical state, at noon, on November 8, but alas, ere 6 p.m., she passed away, and her mother within an hour previously. Alas, the sadness of the stalwart young gunner, when he returns home, to find that his true little faithful wife is no more;

and his wee fair-haired boy of two has lost his mummy.

The scourge of influenza has visited most houses here, especially that of Mr. David Attwood, where each one was laid up in turn, attacking last of all Nellie, who had returned home to nurse the rest; pneumonia supervened, to which she succumbed on November 16. Our sympathy goes out to him and his wife in their bereavement.

By one means and another I have been able to keep the price of this Magazine, all through the War, at 1d., notwithstanding the fact that all papers are dearer, and the price of other Magazines has been raised. But now, my balance having been used up, I am compelled to raise it to three-halfpence monthly, which is 1s. 6d. per annum; of course it costs about double that amount to produce, so will the subscribers kindly send me 3s. for the coming year. The "Church Abroad" will be continued in 1919, which is an extra expense, but many of you like it, and several donations were given towards its cost this year.

On Nov. 18 our Parish War Saving Association completed its first year, and you will be surprised to hear that the amount received in that period was £500. Hartlip has done well, but we want to do better if possible in 1919.

The Brass Cross made to order for our Lady Chapel, is now paid for, and that by the subscriptions of the women only. I thank them.

This Christmas will be a very sad one to many, for there will be vacant chairs this time; we sympathise with all such. But it will also be a very happy one to vast numbers, because of victory. Let us show our thankfulness by more frequently being in God's house, and by our presence at His altar on Christmas morning. May this peaceful festival be a prelude to peaceful days both at HOME as also abroad.

Your faithful friend and Vicar,

J. S. McMILLAN.