Hartlip Parish Magazine - June, 1920.

Dear Friends,

Success is always a pleasing thing to record, and this is what was attained with the Central Church Fund effort on May 9th. The push made on its behalf was justified in the result attained, viz., just over £8, which was some three times the amount we contributed last year.

Once again Providence has been more than kind to us, for on Rogation Tuesday - May 11th - not only was there no rain but the sun shone all day, and the east wind died down, by the time our service began at 7 p.m. This made the 10th consecutive year we have held our open-air Service, for the fruits and crops, in the Churchyard: verily our faith has been rewarded and our prayers answered which are an incentive to anticipate the 1920 Harvestide with hope. Knowing of a certainty that "What our Father does is well."

On the Festival of the "Ascension" of our Lord we had very helpful services; that at 7.30 p.m. was particulary bright, and a very nice little congregation present. But as a whole we still fail to realize the importance to us, of the Lord's Ascension, which in fact is quite equal to the event of Christmas Day.

The visit of the Bishop of Dover on May 27th being as I write this, 8 days hence, must be included in my next letter.

We had a very pretty wedding, in the presence of a good congregation, on April 24th when Miss Emily H. Cryer was married to Albert Edm. Read. The Bride who was always a cheerful and helpful member of the G.F.S. will be missed when she leaves for her new home in the towns. We wish her all happiness.

We are pleased to know that Mrs. Herbert Hales is much better in health, so much so that she is able to undertake another journey to France, to visit what must always remain a sacred spot in fond memory of the past.

As possibly some of you know Mr. Gerald Denson underwent a very serious operation some weeks ago in a Nursing Home in Chatham. He is now back at his home in Shorne, and is making steady progress, though not over quickly. We wish him ere long complete restoration to vigorous health.

Are you all aware that the Hartlip National (War) Savings Association still meets regulary to receive payments; but now only on the second Monday in each month at 6 p.m., and this we continue to do for two reasons. (1) For the Country's sake, because she needs all the backing up we can give her in these most serious financial times. (2) For our own sake because this is an absolutely safe investment at a high rate of interest. Might I ask all those, and there are several, who have partly filled cards, to save a few more sixpences and so complete them, hereby securing another "Certificate," which could then be maturing. Should any of you have "Savings Certificates" you intend to bequeath to somebody, you must transfer

them in your life-time. You have to apply for a Nomination Form to the "Controller, Money Order Dept., G.P.O., Holloway, N. 7." On receiving the Form, fill it up and return it to the Money Order Dept. and its receipt will be acknowledged. "It is essential that the Nomination Form should be registered in the records of the M. O. Dept. during the lifetime of the holder of the Certificates."

The Annual Report for 1919 of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Rochester, is most interesting reading: and I shall be pleased to lend it to anyone. The In-patients admitted were 1633. The Out-patients total attendances were 37,398. The cost of the working of the Hospital for 1919 was £12,728, about £200 more than in 1918. But in addition, a large outlay on the fabric of the Building has become necessary. The estimated expenditure for the current year is £14,000, which means that it will require greater support. It is very gratifying that the amounts from Hartlip have been yearly increasing, i.e. the House to House Collection in 1919 was £7/15/0, while in 1920 it was £8/11/8 (of course you are cognised of this seeing that the receipts were posted on our Notice Board for several weeks). Then last year the Gardener's Association handsomely contributed £20. In all, Hartlip sent some £45 in 1919. Perhaps we will do one better than even that in 1920; for certainly the Hospital deserves it; especially as they desire to provide Central Heating for the whole building, instead of the one unsatisfactory stove at present in each Ward. This one item alone, will impell us to do all we possibly can for the comfort of the sick and suffering who have to go there.

The observant readers of our Parish Magazine will ere this, have noticed the front cover, with its new block view of the Church, which includes our handsome Parish Memorial Cross in the foreground. This up-to-dateness necessitates an extra Magazine expense, but never venture, never have.

Your faithful Friend and Pastor,

J. SMEDLEY McMILLAN.

HOLY MATRIMONY.
"Those whom God has joined together let no man put asunder."
April24th.-Albert Edmund Read, of Rochester and Emily Hilda Cryer.
CALENDAR.
June11.-St. Barnabas. 10.30 Holy Communion.
"13.-Prayers for the G.F.S. at the 8 a.m. celebration.
"24.-Nativity of St. John Baptist. 10.30 Holy Communion.
"29.-St. Peter. 10.30 Holy Communion.