Hartlip Parish Magazine - March, 1918.

Dear Friends,

Want of room prevented my saying before that our effort in December, to maintain our annual contributions for Foreign Missions for 1917 succeeded; indeed, the sum total was in excess of 1916. And the united effort all over the country resulted in the S.P.G. 1917 income exceeding by some thousands of pounds that of 1916. This is a most encouraging sign of the times that Christ's flag in the Mission Field must be kept flying. Our Sunday School children, I am pleased to say, gave up their Christmas Tea in order to send the money to help the starving children in Joppa and the Holy Land: they met one Saturday afternoon, and had some games and lovely apples. I have another sum, contributed recently for the Syria and Palestine Relief Fund; and if any one would like to send a donation, to help the British to feed the starving people of Jerusalem, whom the retreating Turks have so ill-used. I should be glad to send it as from Hartlip Parish, if you like as a thank-offering for the Freedom of the city of Zion. Next month I hope to speak of one of our men who is in or near Jerusalem.

Another object we assisted with a modest sum from our Intercession Services, was the Home for the Dying at Thames Ditton, for poor people. Surely such a home expresses the very spirit of Christ Himself. One was amply repaid by the grateful letter duly received.

Now a word about the "home fires" which we must keep burning.

(1) This Magazine has increased in cost during 1917, and the bills will be bigger in 1918. Now how is this to be met? I don't propose at present to raise the price per month, nor to discontinue the "Church Abroad," which is of course an extra expense. Now I ask you for a donation large or small to help to meet the extra expenses of our Parish Magazine, in the management of which strict economy is followed.

The Government urge upon everyone the practice of rigid economy, especially food, for there are probably harder days in store. Also economy in money, and to invest every sixpence

possible in the War Savings Scheme (our branch meets every Monday at 7 p.m. in Schoolroom), and I thus have a share in raising the huge sums every week which all sorts of people are doing.

But, while we ought to do this, at the same time, we have a plain duty to the Church where we live, which requires money to pay its way viz. for light, fuel, cleaning and insurance, which latter is very heavy. And again, whether we are at Church or not, the weekly expenses are just the same, therefore you see that each member of the Church ought to contribute a fixed sum every week, whether present or absent: otherwise we are allowing others to pay for our religion. Of course this is the Churchwardens' business, but seeing I have their accounts to keep at present, I just mention it.

Your faithful Friend and Vicar,

J. S. McMILLAN.

Apropos of this, a few days ago, one of our men at the front sent me for a Church Fund, "a small thank-offering for having spent a pleasant Christmas," etc. If he had cause for practical gratitude how much more we at home!

March 3 is the date for our Temperance Sermons, Mr. J. L. Fleming, the Lay-Assistant Sec., hopes again to preach at 11 and 6, and to the children at 3. The Society has over ninety recreation rooms and Camp Chapels, for H.M.'s Forces; this work will require, £10,000 at least during 1918.

Good Friday falls on the 29th, the Morning Service will be at 11.0 and the Lament Lecture I trust as usual at 7 p.m. This is the Lord's Death day, surely the most solemn in all the year. "Is this" fact "nothing to all ye that pass by?"

"Can ye not watch with me one hour?"

Then Easter Day with all its joy and gladness will be ours as we sing:-

"Welcome, happy morning, age to age shall say,
Hell to-day is vanquished! Heaven is won to-day!"

I would invite every communicant to duly prepare for the Holy Sacrament, on that Queen of Festivals, and to urge some one else to accompany you.