The Vicarage, Sept. 28th 1926.

My Dear Friends,-

Two strong appeals have been made in our Church this month for our sympathy and help. On Sunday, the 19th, the Rev, S. H. Courtnay-Smith spoke to us on the splendid work of the Church of England Temperance Society Police Court Mission, which for 50 years has been doing so much to help, many who (often through ignorance or carelessness, or some sudden temptation) have come within the grip of the law. They have been given the chance to make good, and through the influence and kindly care of the Police Court Missionaries, have turned into, good citizens instead of lapsing into a life of crime. Mr. Courtnay-Smith expressed the hope that, under the new Act relating to Probation Officers, this Christian work, which has been carried on so well for 50 years by the C.E.T.S., may not be taken out of their hands. Surely it must be generally felt that such work, to be really effective, must be done by men who approach it from a definitely Christian standpoint, and try to carry it out, not only as paid officials, but as Christian men. The other appeal has been the "World Call," brought to us by the Rev. G. Hillyard, as the "Messenger" to our parish. For some time we have been thinking of and preparing for his visit to us, and now we look back upon it with much pleasure. It was nice to see such a good congregation for the service on the Saturday evening, to have so many in Church for the Sunday evening service, and nearly all the members of the Church Council, with some others, at the meeting on the Monday. As we think over the message that has been given to us, what are the points that remain most clearly in our minds? I think they are these: (1) God's purpose for the world is that all men should know Him and realise His love. "God so loved the world." (2) This purpose must be carried out by soul touching soul. God "gave His only begotten Son" that He might come and touch men, and bring the message of God, and Jesus Christ appointed others to carry on this work. (3) It is left to the Church of Christ (of which we all are members) to go on with the carrying out of God's purpose. (4) The world to-day is calling, as never before, to the Christian Church for the message. In India the millions, of "Outcasts" are ready for the Gospel, and through the work amongst them the "caste" people may be brought to see the beauty of Christianity. In Africa the black races are ready too. The Mohammedans are active in trying to spread their religion even in Christian lands, but this is a challenge to the Church to greater efforts to make known the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (5) Our part is to do what we can to answer the call which is being made for more men and women, and more money to carry on the work. We must first of all educate ourselves - learn what is being done, and what needs to be done in the Mission field, and get some clear knowledge of the countries and the peoples where the message is being sent. When we know we shall pray better and give more freely. Perhaps this brief summary of Mr. Hillyard's addresses may be interesting to those who were not able to hear them all.

As a first outcome of the visit we decided, at the meeting in the Sclioolroom, to have a Sunday set apart before the end of the year for special collections for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, in addition to our usual collections for the Lebombo Mission. A subcommittee of the Council consisting of Mr. S. D. Hollands, Mr. W. Miles, Mrs. Creaton, Miss Faussett-Osborne, Mrs. Hales, and Miss Finnis was asked to consider the possibility of having one or two evening meetings during the winter to study missionary work, and other ways which were suggested in which we might respond to the World Call. As, Mr. Hillyard very sensibly said,

we have many calls for our time, our energy, our prayers, and our money, and these calls it would not be right for us to neglect, but this great World Call to-day should have the place that is due to it amongst the rest. We must not let the home call be so loud that we do no hear the World Call.

The House-to-House Collection for the Churchyard amounted to £10/12/6. In addition to this we have had subscriptions during the year amounting to £5/0/6. This gives us a satisfactory sum to carry on the work. Besides the cutting of the grass, we have before us the making up and tarring of the paths and some cementing of spaces between the tombstones, which will save much work with the shears. The response whioh was given to the collectors shows how gladly and willingly parishioners and others give to keep "God's Acre," as we like to see it kept, and how they appreciate what is being done.

Another house-to-house collection is to be made in October - that for St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Rochester. We all know so well the value of this Hospital and the need for doing our utmost to help it. Before this collection is made we shall have had the Gardeners' Society sale, and the Harvest Festival collections in the Church. If we do our best at all three a substantial sum will go from the parish for the Hospital to which we owe so much.

I remain, your sincere Friend and Vicar,

D. H. CREATON.

COLLECTIONS IN THE CHURCH.

£s.d.
Aug.29th.-Organ and Choir Fund2710
Sept.5th.-Quota to Diocesan Fund1196
Sept.12th.-Church Expenses201
Sept.19th.-Police Court Mission3131
Sept.21st.-Vicar's Fund013
Sept.26th.-Church Expenses240

EXTRACT FROM THE REGISTER.

BURIAL.

Aug. 30th. - George Lampkin, aged 81 years.