VICAR'S LETTER.

My dear People,-

The outbreak of measles has disorganised our Schools, both the Sunday and Day ones. The epidemic seems to have run its course, and with the coming warmer weather I hope the scholars will shake off all effects and be able to settle down to their regular stuudies and make up for lost time.

Our sympathy goes out to Mrs. Harriss and her family in the loss of a loving husband and father. The late Mr. Harriss had been identified with Hartlip for well nigh half a century. He loved his Church, and was last present on Christmas morning when he made his communion. He was a Sidesman for many years, and we shall miss his cheery presence.

May I again draw, your attention to our Lenten week day services. On the first three Tuesdays in March the Rev. H. M. Johnson, Vicar of St. John's, Chatham, is preaching at the 7.30 p.m. service, and on Thursday mornings at 10 o'clock there is a short service of Reading, Litany, and Holy Communion.

In Holy Week there will be daily services at 10 a.m. and 7.30 p.m.

On Good Friday the services will be at 11 a.m. and 7.30 p.m.

To understand the full Easter joy I believe one needs keep a good Lent. On Easter Day there will be Holy Communion at 7, 8, and following the 11 o'clock service.

Need I remind you that our Church bids all its communicant members to be present on Easter Day? It is a rule, centuries old, of the Universal Church, and all loyal sons and daughters of our Mother Church will endeavour to observe this ancient custom. The next Magazine will not be issued before Easter week, and so, although it seems somewhat previous, I desire to wish you all a truly blessed Easter, spent in the knowledge of the truth of the Resurrection. "Christ the first fruits, afterwards they that are Christ's."

Your sincerely,

CECIL G. MUTTER

BURIAL.

Feb. 17th - John William Harriss, aged 75 years.

MOTHERS' UNION.

A largely-attended "Quiet Afternoon," for the Sittingbourne Deanery, was held in Holy Trinity

Church on February 8th. The Vicar conducted this, and six from Hartlip were present there. At Canterbury Cathedral a very large number of women are attending the Lent services conducted by our Vicar. The "Way of Renewal" movement seems to be taken up seriously in this Diocese, and we hope will show permanent results in increased spiritual life amongst the members.

Our Annual Meeting will be on Tuesday, April the 10th, for the election of officers, etc.

Lady Day, which is observed all the world over as Mothers' Union Day, comes this year on Palm Sunday. Whenever the day falls in Holy Weed the rule of the Church is to transfer its obsservance to the first day which is free after Easter. Easter falls on April 1st and is kept with an octave, so April 9th is the vigil of the Feast of the Annunciation (or Lady Day), and the festival is kept on the 10th.

A Corporate Communion will be held at 10 a.m. on that day, and it is hoped every member will be present to swell the volume of Intercession going up from the hearts of tens of thousands of mothers who love the great Society founded by the late Mrs. Mary Sumner. The annual summer gathering of the Deanery ismto be on Sheppey. Date and place to be announced later.

CONFIRMATION.

As previously announced, the Lord Bishop of Dover is coining to our own Church this year on May 9th, the eve of Ascension Day, to administer the Rite of Confirmation. Names of candidates should be given to the Vicar as soon as possible. He will call a meeting soon to see which night is most suitable for classes of instruction.

SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Purses are given out for the children to put their pennies in as a little means of self-denial in Lent. The money is sent at Easter to the Waifs And Strays Society. This Lent, with so many children away, only a fey boxes have been taken. Perhaps the parents will try and remedy the lack of opportunity by assisting the children even now. It is only right the young people should give their little offerings and learn it is more blessed to give than to receive. Mrs. W. H. Luck is our local Secretary who forwards all your offerings to the Society.