VICAR'S LETTER.

My dear People,-

February seems to have been a trying month; there has been so much influenza prevalent. We look forward to brighter weather and better health conditions.

All of us are sorry to hear Mrs. Scott has had to return to a London hospital. Mr. Horace Taylor we believe is rapidly improving, and Mr. White has got through his operation successfully. Both of these parishioners are in St. Bartholomew's Hospital, in Rochester.

We have lost the Marks family for a time, and a Commander and Mrs. Laird are the tenants of Roseneath until Captain Marks and his family return.

A Confirmation Service will be held in May in Stockbury Church, conducted by the new Bishop of Dover, the Right Reverend A. W. Rose. If there are any really desirous of being confirmed from this parish, I shall be glad to know, and will do what I can to prepare them for this service if they will communicate with me.

Lent begins this month, and those who love their Church will try and observe it, as our Mother Church bids us do. It depends on the individual himself or herself whether the season in preparation for Easter is helpful or not.

Your sincerely,

CECIL G. MUTTER.

WAIFS AND STRAYS.

Boxes for Lenten self-denial will be issued as usual to our young people this Lent in order to help our own Church work for destitute children. Parents can help their children to realise this form of service for the needy.

The Reverend S. R. Griggs, Rector of Harbledown and Rural Dean of Canterbury, is coming to preach a Lenten Course. The services will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, beginning on March

13th. The subjects of his addresses will be "The House Which Must be Built."
   1. The Foundation.
   2. The Material.
   3. The Scaffolding.
   4. The Labourer.
   5. The Finished Building.

Make a note of this and determine you will come.

On the first three Sunday nights in Lent it is expected that preachers from St. John's Church, at Chatham, will occupy our pulpit.

BURIAL.

Jan. 29th - Sarah Ann Friar, aged 69.

DISTRICT NURSE.

A Meeting will be held on March 7th to consider if it is possible to secure the services of a Nurse for Stockbury, Bredhurst, and Hartlip. Time, 3 p.m. in the Village Hall.

Miss Maguire, the Head Organiser of the County Nursing Association, is coming to explain what is necessary and to give advice.

It is hoped as many as possible, both men and women, will attend. It depends largely on the help of everyone of us as to whether we can obtain the services of a fully-trained lady in our midst. No-one of us knows when illness may come through accident or other ways. It is wise to be prepared for any emergency. The Doctors who come here all say a Nurse would be a great boon, and they would be glad to welcome her services and could explain to her what is needed in a home where oftentimes it is difficult to make amateurs fully understand the proper treatment. The Nurse would also be available for maternity cases.

Of course, there are bound to be initial difficulties; yet if we all pull together we shall surmount them. The Vicar has a few things he has lent for sick cases, and will be glad to put them in charge of the Nurse if we can get her. Mesdames Noble and Mutter have raised some funds to be a start, and our women are working for a Sale in the summer, to be combined with a Jumble Sale, to increase the money now in hand.