Hartlip Parish Magazine - January, 1918.

Dear Friends,

My first word shall be to wish you a very happy New Year, not forgetting all those absent ones, who are engaged in one way or another in the great war for Freedom from the Huns' Military Despotism. 1918 at all events must be an eventful year to the Nations of Europe. Shall it see Might victorious in the usurped place of Right? or shall Right and its forces prevail, over Might and all its evil consequences. The latter we sincerely hope and pray for, and believe in. "But owing to Russia says a General in a letter to me to-day, "we must expect more severe times both out here and at home, and victory to be more distant than ... counted on; but it will come in time; no matter what happens in the meanwhile; for the reason you give, and for the reason our men go into the fight knowing who is the best man, and why." These are encouraging words from one who knows. There may be "set-backs" at the front, and more air raids at home, but let us be calm and steadfast: and submit our cause, and country, and men and selves to God and never cease to pray in private and in public, "Thy Kingdom come."

Sunday, January 6, is the day appointed by his Majesty for National Prayer. Many of us have been perplexed why such had not been long before. Better late than never. It would seem as if the King was allowed his way at last; and so this Sunday is to be a day of confession of national and personal neglect of God and His House, and of an earnest turning to Him with all our heart; with a real desire to live a godly, righteous and sober life in the future; and fully realising that victory at the front without His aid and blessing is an impossibility. Then rendering to Him our true thanksgiving for all the victories, all the successes, and all the blessings He has sent us. Oh, if we thus observe January 6, the year 1918 cannot fail to be a year of untold blessing, and of the highest good to us; as also one in which we shall probably see the Allies going on from victory to victory; and because "The Lord is on our side we will not fear what man can do unto us."

There are men in Parliament who would tamper with the marriage bond, and, therefore, destroy the fabric of the home. They would enact that when a husband and wife had lived apart for three years, he or she may apply for and obtain a Divorce. In U.S.A. this is so, and a man may have successive wives, in a dozen years, or a wife different husbands. What becomes of the children, and of their home?

Their father may become the husband of another woman, and their mother the wife of someome else: to whom do they belong? As for their home it has ceased to be. America NOW loathes this home and family destroyer, and would be rid of it. Shall we Britons not take care that no tampering with the marriage tie is allowed; and that its duration shall as of yore be "till death do us part." Another phase of this was seem at a recent Assize Court, when out of forty criminal cases, nearly HALF were charges of bigamy. Britain, watch thy morals in these evil times.

We are sorry to record the death of M. A. Clout, at the early age of 47 years; she was recovering satisfactorily from her operation, when the heavy air raid on the 6th knocked her back. We sympathise with her family in their bereavement. We are glad to welcome Mr. Denson home again, and trust he may make progress in the good Warren air.

Your faithful Friend and Vicar,

J. S. McMILLAN.

HOLY BAPTISM.
"Go ye, make Christians of all nations, baptizing them."
Dec.2-Hilda Jane, daughter of Fdk. G. and Margaret M. Harrison.
"16-Stanley Thos. Cecil, son of Thos. P. Cecil and Florence B. Rose, Gillingham, Kent.
BURIAL.
"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord."
Dec.17-Mary Ann Clout, aged 47 years.
CALENDAR.
Jan.1-Circumcision. Holy Communion, 10.30 a.m.
"6-NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING. Special Services.
"13-Prayers for Oxford Mission to Calcutta, 8 a.m.
"16-Lenten Lecture on War Savings.
"25-Conversion of St. Paul. Holy Communion, 10.30 a.m.