VICAR'S LETTER.

My dear People,-

My first word must be one of appreciation for the kind welcome I have received on all sides on taking up my residence in your midst. The work I have been called upon to undertake is, of course, very different from the work I was doing in New Zealand. There I left a parish of 26,000 people, with three churches, big organizations, 700 Sunday School scholars, and a large staff of helpers. Here I engage in work on a smaller scale, yet l can see there is ample scope for fully occupying my time, and what I now look forward to, is the opportunity of labouring in sphere where I can really know my people and more fully enter into the village life.

My ministry amongst you begins with the solemn season of Lent. I could not arrange for any special preachers, and so must attempt all the preaching myself. A course will be followed on Sunday mornings on the Temptation of Our Blessed Lord, then at night we shall have Mission hymns and a course of Instructions on the Faith of the Church. On Wednesday nights, at 7.30 o'clock, them will be a series of Mission addresses.

The next issue of the Magazine will give the list of Services for Holy Week and Easter.

Wednesday, March 25th, is, Lady-day or the Festival of the Annunciation, when it is customary for the members of the Mothers' Union throughout the world to take a Corporate Communion. That morning there will be a Celebration of the Eucharist at 7 a.m., and I have no doubt the Hartlip Branch will be making arrangements in regard to the observance of this day.

Notices of Services and Meetings will be announced at the Sunday Services.

In conclusion, I am sure you would wish me to express your thanks to Colonel Locke and all those who came to his help during the sequestration of your parish, so that all the services were maintained so adequately.

Yours sincerely,

CECIL G. MUTTER.

INDUCTION OF THE VICAR.

A large congregation assembled at the Church on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 14th, at 3 p.m , when the Rev. Cecil G. Mutter, was instituted to the living by the Bishop of Dover, and afterwards inducted by the Rural Dean (the Rev. G. J. Browne, Rector of Frinsted and Wormshill). Fine weather prevailed, and the church bells rang out merrily, while the flag flew from the church tower. The choir sand clergy entered the church in procession, headed by the Churchwardens, Lieut.-Colonel R. G. E. Locke and Mr. S. D. Hollands, who used their wands of office for the first time. The robed clergy who took part in the procession were the Rev. H. F. Lord (Bapchild and Tonge), the Rev. A. D. Hodgson (Rainham), the Rev. H. Simpson (Stockbury), the Rev. A. W. Douglas (Newington), the Rev. W. J. Beechey (Rodmersham), the Rev. W. J. V. Stead (Murston), the Rev. A. A. Midwinter (Tunstall), the Rev. H. J. King (St. Mary's, Milton Regis), and the Rev. A. F. de Spailier

(Borden). There were also present Mr. F. White, B.A. Rainham, Diocesan Lay Reader, Mr. G. F. Jacques, Police Court Commissioner.

The institution ceremony was impressively conducted by the Bishop, and then followed the induction. Preceded by the Churchwardens, and accompanied by the Rural Dean and the Bishop, the Vicar-designate went outside the church, unlocked the door, and tolled the bell, thus signifying the act of taking possession of the temporalities of the living, after which he proceeded to the font, the lectern, the pulpit, and the Lord's Table, making the usual vow at each place.

The Bishop of Dover then ascended the pulpit, and in the course of an interesting address said that the following day would be Quinquagesima Sunday, and it would be appropriaati for them to read the Epistle for that day. He considered that it was one of the finest pieces of literature in the Bible. The Epistle was taken from I Cor, xiii. The Bishop asked the parishioners loyally to support their new Vicar in his work amongst them and he asked for God's blessing upon the parish and the people.

After the service a reception was held in the schoolroom, where tea was provided by the ladies of the parish, under the management of Mrs. Baxter, assisted by members of the Mothers' Meeting, Mrs. Mabbs, and Mrs. Read. The Council of Youth were present, and they handed round the refreshments, Miss Woodcock, the hon. secretary, being in charge. The nearly-appointed, Vicar accompanied by Colonel Locke, made the acquaintance of a large number of parishioners.

At the eight o'clock celebration at Hartlip Church on Sunday morning there were 31 communicants, and 19 at the mid-day service. At this service the Vicar read the XXXIX. Articles.

At the evening service there was a good congregation, and the Vicar took for his text the words, "God is love." He preached an earnest discourse, and all who were present were much impressed by it. He thanked all those who had organised the reception in the school on the previous afternoon.

BAND CONCERT.

This was held on Shrove Tuesday before an interested and appreciative audience. In addition to the items played by the Band, them was an excellent cornet solo by Mr. Grinstead, and the songs of the Misses Joan Faussett-Osborne and Barbara Locke, together with one by Mr. Faussett-Osborne, made pleasing variety to what all present pronounced a delightful evening. Miss Faussett-Osborne is to be congratulated on her labours in this connection.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Council or Youth meets at Vicarage, 7.30 p.m., March 3rd.

Parochial Church Council. - School, 7 p.m., March 12th.

BAPTISM.

Feb. 15 - Albert Henry Scott.

COLLECTIONS.

£s.d.
Feb.1....................198
"8....................192
"15....................3116
"22....................247