Hartlip Parish Magazine - June, 1918.

Dear Friends,

As May 7 - the date for our Annual Rogation Service - drew near, we became auxious what the weather might be. Our hopes had risen, when alas the morning began with steady rain and continued till about 2 o'clock when it was suddenly superseded by bright sunshine; which together with the prompt and loyal action of Mr. Geo. Harriss in mowing the grass round the Church, made it possible for us to hold the Service in the the Churchyard for the eighth year in succession. The congregation was not so large as usual, owing possibly to the damp ground but we never had a heartier service, all loyally joining in. The robed procession was quite imposing, there being five neighbouring Vicars and three Upchurch Choirmen. That the beauty of this service came home to many, was indicated by the universal remarks of appreciation; and we trust our prayers for country and people may be answered.

We would express our sympathy with Mr. and Mrs. Harrison in the loss of their little girl Cicely on May 5, after a very trying illness, necessitating a constant and exhausting vigil for nearly three weeks. We shall miss her little cheery face at Church and School; and peeping over the garden wall at home.

The Gift Sale in Sittingbourne was a huge success, and Hartlip sent a good contribution.

The Flag Day here realised £3 7s. which was excellent, and redounds to the credit of the six sellers.

I should like to say how well the Hartlip House to House Collection for St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Rochester, did this spring, resulting in the handsome figure of £6 5s. 5d. This worthy institution well deserves our heartiest support. Mrs. McMillan congratulates the Collectors on their successful efforts.

The Children's Egg and Flower Service was well attended on Whitsunday at 3 o'clock, when - considering the price - a very good number of eggs were brought; together with a quantity of lovely flowers, all of which were sent as usual to the above Hospital.

All our services were very bright on Whitsunday, and the Offertories good; not since 1914 has the number of Communicants at 8 a.m. been exceeded.

Britons have been greatly enheartened by the unprecedented exploits of our ever watchful and ever ready Navy at Zeebrugge in completely blocking the Canal, with its nest of submarines. And again a few days later, when they sank the concrete filled Vindictive almost across the

entrance to Ostend harbour, where the silting sand may ere long complete the obstruction. If so the enemy will be severely hampered in working his submarines; and have a deepening regard for the British Navy. That they already have such for our Air Service is evident from the remarks of prisoners; and our men have certainly accomplished marvels in the air, by their daring and dash, resulting in huge losses of planes to the enemy every week.

The comparative quiet on the Western Front is only the calm before the storm of the enemy's next great attack. That it will be fierce and strong, no one doubts: for therein lies all their hopes, seeing that the submarines have failed to overpower us; so now they must try to do it by masses of guns and masses of men.

This means that our brave men more than ever stand in need of our prayers. Yet how strange it is that many of the near relations of our fighting men, safe at home, should never take the trouble to go to God's House, to join with others in earnest prayer on behalf of those who are daily on the verge of eternity.

Perhaps they pray at home for them, so they ought. But the Lord promised a blessing on the "two or three gathered together in His name." Surely no trouble or sacrifice of time is too great, in order to help those at the front in this best possible of ways.

I fear that, as a people we have not even yet learnt the value of prayer; and that God is trying to teach us this.

Your faithful friend and Vicar,

J. S. McMILLAN.

HOLY BAPTISM.
"Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost."
May.12-Myrtle Mary, daughter of Wm. Hy. and Emily Miles.
BURIAL.
"Suffer the little children to come unto Me."
May9-Cicely Maude Harrison, aged 4 years.
CALENDAR.
Holy Communion. 10.30 a.m., on:-
June11-St. Barnabas.
"24-Nativity of St. John Baptist, and
"29-St. Peter, A.M.