VICAR'S LETTER.

My Dear People,

Mrs. C. W. Hope has presented a new set of Baptismal Cards to the Church for the use of Godparents and others at a Christening. My wife and I have given a silver bread box for use at the Credence table at the Service of Holy Communion.

We were pleased to have a jolly evening for the Choir and Bellringers' Supper at the Vicarage. Not often do such sounds of music proceed from such a staid home as ours. Only the cat was put out.

The Parochial Church Council met this last month and revised the Electoral Roll; we hope to add the names of some newcomers to the list. The matter of electric light in the Church has gone forward and we expect to have it installed well before Easter. Meanwhile, a Faculty has to be obtained from the Diocesan authorities before the work can proceed. Quite rightly, of course, these authorities are careful that what is added to the Church shall be seemly and satisfactory, and the ancient walls have no injury done to them.

Electric light is also being installed in our Schools by the Trustees.

The Missionary Exhibition I mentioned last month is to be held next October for a week in the Holy Trinity Hall, in Sittingbourne. It will be a Palestine Exhibition with courts representing the Temple, a Synagogue, Bedouin tent, etc., etc. We shall be asked to help in providing court attendants. Fuller details will be announced later.

Your sincerely,

CECIL G. MUTTER

MOTHERS' UNION

Our Branch mourns the loss of an old member. Mrs. Ruth Clout passed away on the 20th of January, at Newington, where she had gone a few days before to visit her son and his wife. Never robust, she was a semi-invalid for some time past, and the end came rather suddenly. Her remains were laid to rest in our Churchyard, and several of our members were present. A beautiful wreath was sent from the Mothers' Union and Women's Fellowship. Our sympathy goes out to her husband and family.

On February 22nd the Annual Deanery Devotional Meeting will be held at Holy Trinity Church, Dover Street, Sittingbourne at 3 p.m. Members who intend going should communicate with Mrs. W. Kitchingham, our Honorary Secretary.

The Rainham and Bredhurst parishes are being joined to the Rochester Diocese shortly, so that Upchurch and Hartlip will then be at the Northern end of the Canterbury Diocese. Because of this Rainham have asked the Deanery to hold the Summer Festival there for the last time next May. Rainham's new Parish Hall will be used for the tea which follows.

CONFIRMATION.

The Bishop of Dover comes for this service to our own Church this year, on Tuesday, May 17th, at 7 p.m. Names of candidates should be given to the Vicar. Stockbury and Newington candidates will also join with us on this occasion.

Burial.

Jan. 24th - Ruth Clout, aged 58 years.

HARTLIP BELLS.

Church bells are most interesting historicaliy, and the Vicar last month preached about them and told the congregation something of how they originated and the meaning of their use. He also described our own ring of six bells. If there are any people here who would like to visit our belfry and see the bells at close quarters the ringers, if asked, would be pleased to escort them up into the Tower. There is a wonderful view also from the top of the tower, especially when the orchards are in blossom.

The heaviest bell, named the tenor, dates from 1628, and was re-cast in 1905. It weighs 14 cwt. The second bell weighs 5½ cwt., and was given by "John Edward Robert and Andrew Osborne - Gen. Brethren. Borne in the Parish of Hartlip for love they bare to the same have freely given this Bell. Ano. Dmi 1578." The third bell weighs 7 cwt. Its date is 1628 and has the inscription "John Wilnar made mee." The fourth bell has the same inscription, but the date 1632. It weighs 8 cwt. The fifth bell weighs 10 cwt. It is the oldest, and its date is between 1392 and 1418. It is therefore 500 years old. It has a Latin inscription which translated means "May this bell sound for many years. John." So probably a man named John was the donor, or it may possibly be a name given to the bell itself. Many bells were names such Old "Tom" at Oxford, Old "Paul" in London, and later Big "Ben" at Westminster.

The lightest bell, called the Treble, was given in 1785, and weights 5 cwt.

Many who hear the bells, because of their very familiarity may not have given a thought to the treasure our old church possesses in her tower. But if imagination be given full play thoughts arise, taking one back through times long past and gone, when the bells have rung out their message of joy and sorrow, and their summons to the worship of Almighty God in this His House the Church.

We need a few more ringers. If illness or some other engagement keeps a man or two away it is impossible to give a full ring, therefore we need recruits who will learn the art. Who will volunteer?

NEW TRUSTEE.

Colonel Noble has been elected as a Trustee of the Hartlip School, Mary Gibbon Charity Trustees, in place of the late Mr. Gerald Denson.