Hartlip Parish Magazine. May, 1922.

Dear Friends,

This last winter has made a sad toll on the old people. On April 1st, we laid to rest Sarah Cork, 81 years of age; she had had many illnesses, and her recuperative powers were wonderful: but the severity of March proved too much for her. We sympathise with her widower, and we are sorry to lose him as a parishioner, but trust he will be happy at Penge.

On the Morning of April 24th, another octogenarian passed suddenly away, viz:- Mrs. George Godden. She had been in weak health for some years, but seemed much the same (when actually out of doors) on the 22nd. She had lived long in the Parish and was known to most people; and I shall miss her much, as one of the pleasantest people one regularly visited.

This last Good Friday evening, the Organist and Choir gave selections from Sir John Stainer's "Crucifixion": they were unable to do more owing to the limitation of practices: but I congratulate them on the manner in which they rendered the several parts, together with the fine Baritone from St. John's, Chatham.

Easter Day was fine in every sense of the word. The Festival was ushered in before 7 a.m. by our loyal Band of Ringers, who rang for about an hour: then at 10 a.m. and again at 5.30 p.m. Several Communicants were prevented by the cold wind from being present at the Lord's own service, but there was a very good number at 8 a.m., when unaccompanied we sang fully and brightly three hymns. The noon celebration was well attended. At 6.30 p.m, there was a good congregation, hearty and congregational singing was a feature the day. The Anthem being a combination of hymns 134 and 135 was very effectively rendered. I would here thank and compliment Mr. Lilwall for all his efforts, and the success which attended them; both on Good Friday and Easter Day. The Church looked very pretty with the profuse spring blooms, for which I thank all who helped, gave flowers, or lent plants.

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting was held on April 5th, when the Financial Statement was made by Lieut.-Col. Locke, which showed a very healthy condition of things, while help was given to various outside objects.

The Lay Representatives elected were :— (1) Diocesan, Col. Locke; (2) Ruri-Decanal, Sir Wm. Haggard, Messrs. John Harriss and W. Miles: (3) Church Council, Mrs. McMillan, Miss Faussett Osborne, Mrs. Friar, Senr., Mrs. L. Hales and Miss Florrie Clout; Messrs. J. Labrum, W, S, Stevens, S D. Hollands. E. T. Friar, F. Musselwhite and Wm. G. Kitchingham.

The Annual Report, given by the Vicar, was considered to show a very satisfactory year's work.

Our Annual Rogation Service in the Churchyard (D.V.) will be held on Tuesday, May 23rd, at 7 p,m. Every Parishioner is invited and will be welcome. People in crowds attend the service of Thanksgiving for the Harvest; but surely God equally expects us to ask for His Blessing upon the seeds sown and upon the budding orchards, that they may yield their increase for our benefit. Hence the appropriateness of our Spring Rogation Service to which I heartily invite you all to come and join, so that the united voice of Hartlip may ascend to the Throne of Grace for our crops.

The Thursday following - May 25th - will be Ascension Day, it is the commemoration of an event in our Lord's life, quite equal to Christmas or Easter Day. For if He did not ascend, He does not intercede for us in Heaven. Therefore we must see how becoming it is in us to attend the services of that day and show ourselves to be on the Lord's side.

The combined Parish Church Meeting and Vestry Meeting, met on April 18th, when the two Churchwardens elected were Lieut.-Col. Locke and Sir William Haggard, K.C.M.G. The Sidesmen for the coming year are Messrs. John Harriss, George Harriss, W. Hills, Fredk. Musselwhite, S. D. Hollands, and W. P. Stevens. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the aforenamed, also to the Sunday School Teachers, the Bell Ringers, the Choir and Organist for all their valued help during the past year.

We are sorry that Sir William and Lady Haggard will be away from the Parish for so many of the coming months; but we wish them both a very happy and beneficial sojourn in the lands they shall be visiting.

I remain, your Faithful Friend and Pastor,

J. SMEDLEY McMILLAN.

Burial.
"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord."
April1-Sarah Cork, aged 81 years.
"29-Sarah Maria Godden, aged 80 years.
Holy Baptism.
April5-Georgina Ruth, and Eunice Cordelia, daughters of Thos. and Ellen Naomi Underdown.
Calendar.
May
"21-Rogation Sunday.
"23-Rogation Tuesday, Open-Air Service in Churchyard, at 7 p.m. All Parishioners invited. COME!
"25-Ascension Day.
9.0 Service for Children.
10.30. Holy Communion.
7.30 Short Evening Service.