Hartlip Parish Magazine - April, 1920.

Dear Friends,

Known to many of you was Thomas William Wildish Cooper the shepherd at Sweepstakes Farm, who suffered from a malignant malady for a very long time, and for some while had been confined to his bed. His sufferings must have been of a very trying nature, and the outlook always hopeless; yet his calmness and successful efforts to make the best of things, and to fully appreciate the painless intervals, were most marked. At last his daily prayer was granted, and God called him away to the better land.

The visit of the Pilgrim, March 9-12 re the Mother's Union Campaign did not attain its ultimate object, primarily owing to the fact that she was not familiar with the M. U., and secondarily, not being able to visit all the Members. But she was very earnest, and anxious to help others to realise their high calling in Christ Jesus.

Our statutory Parochial Church Meeting was held in the Schoolroom on Monday March 15th at 7.30 p.m, when a very good company of those on the Electoral Roll assembled. The Vicar, in taking the chair explained that the MINISTER was to CONVENE the meeting, and the CONVENER was to be CHAIRMAN. He also showed how the Church of Englaind had for years desired the power to reform herself. Such power was granted her in the Enabling Act of December 1919 and so her prayers were answered. This Act provides for Church Councils in every Parish, to which men and women may be elected of the age of 21 years, and being Communicants, and, also suggested that the various organizations should be represented on it. Colonel Locke spoke of the great boon this Act would be to the Church, and urged all to give it their earnest support. He proposed that the Council consist of fifteen members, this was seconded by Sir Wm. Haggard and carried. The following were elected; Lay Representative to Diocesan Conference, Sir Wm. Haggard 1. Lay Representatives to Ruri-decanal Conference, Col, Locke, Messrs J. Harriss and Wm. Miles 3. The remaining 11 were, Mrs. McMillan, Mrs. E. Friar Senr., Mrs. Lewis Hales, Miss Faussett Osborne and Miss Dorothy Cork, and Messrs J. Labrum, Edm, T. Friar Junr., S. D. Holiands, F. Musselwhite, Walter S. Stevens, and R. J. Ongley: total, 15 on the Council.

Though it meant a considerable effort to accomplish all the preparations, so as to hold our Meeting on March 15th, yet I was much gratified to be told by the Rural Dean, when acknowledging my returns of the above meeting that I was "easily the FIRST" in the whole Deanery. Hartlip is in the van of this movement it is pleasing to know.

On Good Friday the services will be much as usual. At 7 p.m, the story of the "Crucifixion" will be sung by the Choir assisted by soloists.

Easter Eve being a busy day for everyone, I would ask all who can possibly assist in decorating the Church, to be there at 10 a.m., so that it may be completed by noon. We shall be glad of flowers evergreen to be sent before 10 o'clock.

I trust we have been strictly keeping Lent, so we shall be the better able to fully enter into the joy of Easter Day, with its message of HOPE, REUNION and VICTORY. And surely it is the Mourner's Festival above all else, for as it brought joy on the first Easter morn, so it does still, for, the hymn says, "Father, sister, child, and mother, meet once more." "To that brightest of all meetings bring us Jesu Christ at last by Thy Cross, through death and judgment, holdin fast."

I would most earnestly remind every Communicant of the Church's rule that he or she COMMUNICATE AT EASTER-TIDE. The service of Preparation be on the Wednesday in Holy Week; may I impress upon all the helpfulness of this service. The Address will be the Rev. A. B. Parry-Evan's closing one. I would here express our indebtedness to him for his very thoughtful course on the Prayer Book, which we have much enjoyed.

The appalling accounts which reach us from Armenia of the maltreatment by Turks makes one shudder. A part of Armenia is free, with the most happy result. Where the Allies have made their power felt, massacres have entirely ceased. Elsewhere some 20,000 lives have been taken by the Turks since the Armistice. Is this not awful. Are British Christians going to remain dumb, when their fellow Christians in the East are massacred by thousands? Shame on us if so. Can we not hold meetings, agitate, and protest to the Government, that these murders must cease, and the Turks deprived of their power to kill.

Your faithful Friend and Pastor,

J. SMEDLEY McMILLAN.

Burials.
"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord."
Feb.28.-Thomas William Wildish Cooper, aged 62 years.
Calendar.
Apr.1.-Thursday, 10 a.m. Ante-Communion.
"2.-GOOD FRIDAY, 11.0 Morning Service.
7.0, Stainer's Crucifixion.
"3.-Easter Even, 10 a.m. Decorating the Church.
"4.-EASTER DAY, 8.0 Holy Communion.
12.0   "   "
3.0 Children's Service.
"5.-Monday in Easter Week 10.30 a.m. Holy Communion.
"5.-Annual Easter Vestry, 6.30 p.m.