Hartlip Parish Magazine. July, 1921.

Dear Friends -

Contrary to all our hopes and expectations, the Coal Cloud has not yet dispersed, while the offer of the owners and of the Government have been rejected by the ballot of the Miners, but nearly one ninth of a million desire to return to work on the proferred terms; many of them are actually doing so now. We sincerely hope that wise counsels may prevail in inducing the whole body to resume work at once, and so hasten the day when our diminished trade may recover the setback it has received through this prolonged strike, so that our National Finances may emerge from their present state of chaos. Already this strike has cost the country £9,000,000, which the impoverished taxpayer has to provide, over and above the cost of the Great War. Surely the time has come when a thorougly competent court should be set up, with authority to settle all wage and labour disputes, including power to enforce its decisions both upon employer and employed. Thereby making it a penal offence for any body of people to, (1) hold up the country as at present, (2) cause immeasurable suffering, especially to women, children, the aged and the sick, and (3) to drive away the trade to other countries, when our very national existence depends upon the speedy return of good trade.

Now to turn to things Parochial:- On Monday, May 30th, the Mothers' Union Diocesan Festival was held at Canterbury Cathedral, where numbers foregathered from all parts of the Diocese. Our party of twenty-five started at 10 a.m. in a Saloon Motor Bus and therefore quite ignored the incessant rain. The great Service at 2.45 p.m., with a congregation of nearly 4,000, the heart-stirring singing of such a mass of people, together with the Sermon of the Lord Bishop of Lichfield, with its deep teaching, as also its practical bearing on family life, wherein the mothers were bidden to say to their children "Come with us to God's House and to the Holy Communion" instead of saying "go." All of which made it a Service long to be remembered.

Archdeacon Spooner paid his final Official Visit to our Church, on June 2nd, and this is his report:— "I never have occasion to make other than complimentary remarks on the condition of this Church, both inside and outside; and the Vicar, Churchwardens and Parishioners are to be congratulated on all being in excellent order. I notice that a second Altar has been added in the South Aisle and the Chapel suitably furnished for Divine Service, which is a pleasant addition to an already beautiful Church."

The New Archdeacon is the Rev. John McMillan, who introduced himself to me on September 21st,

1904 (when he was Chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury), on the occasion of my Institution to the Vicarage of Hartlip, at Lambeth Palace Chapel; when he told me that he and I were the only two John McMillans in Crockford's List of some 14,000 clergy.

Our Church Clock has come to grief. On June 14th the weakened steel rope of the striking gear gave way when being wound up, and down the very heavy weight crashed: then some two days or so later, the ropes became entangled, when the clock stopped going altogether. We all seem put out, and find it difficult to keep up to time, without the hours being struck for us. I am trying to discover the firm who supplied the clock in 1884, and so get it overhauled and rectified as soon as possible.

As to another and quite different matter. June 15th was the great day of festivities with our neighbours of the United Methodist Body in Hartlip, who in their generosity and kindliness of spirit sent an invitation to Mrs. McMillan and me to take a cup of tea with them and their Ministers including the "President of their Conference," at a Tea-Table Conference at 5 o'clock. This invitation we accepted, and their reception of us was overwhelming in its heartiness, such as we can never forget. The Rev. E. Hortop and the Rev. J. T. Henwood were most appreciative in their remarks. My speech in reply explained that I undertook the risk of criticism and of being misunderstood in being there that day. But that I went (1) because they asked me, (2) to show a spirit of neighbourliness, and (3) a spirit of Christian friendliness.

The President (Rev. H. Smith) who followed, was more than kind in his very generous gratitude for our being with them that day. My desire in doing what I did, was to declare to the world, that though we go our different ways, we can still hold each other in high regard..

Your Faithful Friend and Pastor,

J. SMEDLEY McMILLAN.

Holy Baptism.
""Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he can not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven."
June5.-Robert David, son of David Thomas and Mildred Kate Attwood.
"5-Donald Eric, son of Ernest E. and Agnes E. Friar, Rainham.
Calendar.
July11-Day School Re-opens at 9 a.m.
"25-St. James, A.M. Holy Communion, 10 a.m. Evensong, 6 p.m.