Hartlip Parish Magazine - December, 1920.

Dear Friends,

On Sunday, November 7th, we joined with the rest of Britain in duly observing that day (1) as one of Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bringing about of a Victorious Peace in 1918, and (2) as a day of memorial for the sacrifices made by our heroic Dead, who fought for, and died in winning, that which they were not privileged to see. May the day never dawn, when we as a Parish or as a Nation shall forget the brave men who fought and fell in tho Greatest War of History, on behalf of freedom, honour, and our bond.

The collections that day were given to the fund for training the 2,000 (of the 2,750 applicants) Ex-Service Officers, N.C.O's., and men for Holy Orders.

Again on Armistice Day, the never-to-be-forgotten November 11th, our flag was flying, and an earnest congregation assembled at 10.45 a.m. when we joined in prayer and praise, observed the National 2 minutes silence, then sang that new hymn "The Supreme Sacrifice."

The Public observance of this Day has come to stay, for it would seem to be now an Empire Red-Letter Day, if not also an Allies' Red-Letter Day. Certainly the way in which the Metropolis kept it can never be forgotten. The funeral procession through the crowded streets, the King its chief mourner following the coffin of the UNKNOWN WARRIOR, the unveiling of the Cenotaph, the dead silence of London, including the 50,000 congregated in Trafalgar Square; the service and burial in the historic Abbey; not omitting the miles and miles of people wishing to pay their tribute of regard to the Known and Unknown countless Warriors, of whom we will never cease to be proud.

The annual appeal on behalf of Foreign Missions will be made on December 12th - III Sunday in Advent - in our Church by the Vicar of Bapchild, who served several years as a Missionary in India, and therefore is well qualified to speak on behalf of S.P.G. work from his personal experience in that great Dependency. Therefore I sincerely trust that our response for this noble Society, which is doing such it great work in spreading God's Kingdom, will be in keeping with the appeal, and also with the work in hand.

Will all holders of collecting boxes please send them to the Vicarage before December 12th?

Our Organist (Mr. J. A. C. Rogers) is again arranging for our Musical refreshment in the shape Of Organ Recitals, which were so much appreciated last season. In this series each Recital will form a study of either one, or two of the Great Masters, or else of one school of Musical thought.

In this way interest will be added which is not present when selections come from many sources. Each programme will contain a few introductory notes which will help towards the understanding of the music. The first will be given on Tuesday, Decem-

ber 28th, at 7 p.m., when you may be able to avail yourselves of this treat, and also bring your friends, as those Recitals, are free and open to all parishioners and non-parishioners alike, and all seats will be free. The Collections will be in aid of the Cleaning of the Organ. This is, I fear, an absolute necessity, owing to the accumulation of dust both inside and outside the pipes, while cobwebs are everywhere.

When the Bellows-feeders were repaired some 20 months ago, at a cost of nearly £9, the Tuner then warned us that the Organ ought to be thoroughly cleaned, as soon as Labour conditions permitted. This Cleaning will, I fear, be a big undertaking both as regards time, and expense, possibly £50 may not cover the latter.

The season of Advent is upon us once again with its call and message "Prepare to meet Thy God." Every Advent as it annually comes round should find us more ready for that great event, and so less alarmed at the thought that He may come in very truth even in OUR life-time.

The Great Festival of Xmas will soon be with us, with all its joy, and Festive brightness, reminding us how He came that first Christmas to dwell among men, and showed them how to live a perfect life in an evil world. This Festival he will come to every loving, humble, contrite soul (who earnestly seeks Him) in the Holy Sacramentof His Body and Blood, by which they will be enabled to strive after that perfect life, at which we should all aim, while in this evil world.

Christmas morning at 7.30, and at noon, gives you this opportunity, as also on the following three days.

May the, highest joy of that Festive Day be with you all.

Your Faithful Friend and Pastor,

J. SMEDLEY MCMILLAN.

HOLY MATRIMONY.
Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.
Nov.10-George Lancaster and Bertha Agnes Sage.
Calendar.
Dec.12-S.P.G. Sunday, 7.30 a.m. Holy Communion. Sermons M. and E. by Rev. H. F. Lord. Children's Service at 3 p.m.
"12-Take home Ember Pence Envelopes.
"15, 17, 18 - Ember Days.
"19-Return Ember Envelopes to Church.
"23-Decorating the Church 10 a.m.
"25-XMAS DAY.
7.30 a.m. Holy Communion: also at noon.
11.0 Morning Service.
"27 and 28 - 10.30 Holy Communion.
"28-Organ Recital 7 p.m. "Wagner and Greig."