Hartlip Parish Magazine - January, 1919.

Dear Friends,

May this New Year which has begun in peace, continue so and may the Peace of God reign in all our hearts and all your homes, as also throughout our native land during the anxious days of 1919.

Since writing my December letter, more sadness has befallen our parish, for the third month successively. Official news was received that Sidney A. Hales, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Hales, was killed in action on October 30 in France. It is to be feared this is final. We deeply sympathise with his sorrowing parents, and his young widow; for the loss must indeed be great of one who never caused a day's anxiety and who applied himself so assiduously to his work, and was always loyal and reliable.

Again, we had two deaths from Influenza in one week. The first was Mrs. Hy. Godden, Mill Cottages, a cheerful, brave, good little woman in every sense of the word, whom everybody respected and whose death everyone deplores.

The other was Charles A. Whitehead, who had only a few weeks previously joined the Navy, upon which he had so firmly set his heart some time ago. Perhaps not being very well when attacked, he seemed to be unable to throw it off. His parents, with whom we sympathise, mourn the loss of a good hearted boy just merging into manhood, who would be prospectively a help and stay.

I was sorry when Mr. Thomas Golden had to leave the parish for Newington some two months ago, owing to his illness, and living alone. But in his sister's house, with company and constant attention, he will be happier and better, which he well deserves, as the loyal son and brother for so many years past.

Our Church Organ is, as some of you know, a beautiful instrument, but like most things it wears out. Now some of its parts are not in use owing to that fact; and nearly £9 are required for this work. So I trust that all who can will make a contribution as soon as possible to this object and so prevent the other parts being overstrained and causing more expense.

The Services on New Year's Sunday will like the last four be of a special kind, particularly as it follows such a War; and therefore will present an opportunity rich in suggestiveness for prayer and praise and hope.

It will be a marked day, since it begins a new era for weal or for woe - in the world's story, let us see that we use it well, in drawing nearer to Him, who is "the way, the Truth and the Life."

Some of our gallant men may soon be coming home, at least for a short time; how they will be welcomed! But if this return is not yet, it will not be surprising, seeing the Allies have partially occupied the countries of the enemies, therefore it behoves us not to build our hopes too high.

But what kind of an England will they return to? The old careless one, or a God-fearing and Church-going one? The future well-being of Britain depends on the answer. Now what is called the "20th Century Crusade" is a movement to arouse up everybody to be earnest and zealous for the cause of Jesus Christ. A "CRUSADE" Means CRUSADERS, CRUSADERS must have an object. THE OBJECT is "The emancipation of mankind" or "Freedom for every man and woman and nation to develop the highest of which each is capable."

And because Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation, THE MOTTO of the Crusade is "For Jesus Christ and the emancipation of mankind." Those who become Crusaders must undertake three conditions:- (1) Accept Christ as the only way of emancipation for themselves and all mankind. (2) Follow in the footsteps of Christ. (3) Work for His sake for the emancipation of mankind, anywhere and everywhere. Who will join the greatest of all Crusades? This is a call to every thinking man and woman. Let everyone seriously think it over at this the beginning of the New Year.

Your faithful friend,

J. S. McMILLAN.

CALENDAR.
Jan.25-Conversion of St. Paul. 10.30, Holy Communion.