Everyman’s Hut

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 9, 9 February 1940, Page 6

Everyman’s Hut

5 (From Our Special Correspondent.) ■ , Some one has said that “a trouble [ shared is a trouble halved,” and one’s i own experience bears testimony to the 1 truth of this saying. To be able to 1 unburden one’s heart to a sympathetic friend lightens the load that has been • worrying and weighing down the spirit. In seeking to do some little ; service for those who will soon pass . on to face the perils and dangers of ■ service overseas, one soon realises that soldiers are very human men, and that the donning of the King’s uniform does not turn a man into ■ some- sort of machine without any feelings or desires, except to get as much excitement and pleasure as possible out of the life to which he has pledged himself. Strike up a conversation with any man at random and before many minutes have passed one finds a heart that is carrying a bur—a burden that is growing heavier as each day passes and brings nearer the time when he will look upon the face of some dear one or ones perhaps for the last time on earth. One’s heart goes out in sympathy towards each one who, in spite of separation from all that his heart holds dear, yet is willing to go forth along the path of duty, and if the mere confiding in another can ease the ache then we who serve at Everyman’s Hut feel that our service is not in vain. But we desire more than the mere easing of the ache and so as the opportunities arise we seek to direct the minds of the men to the Great Burdenbearer — the Son of God, Who put aside everything that was His of right, to tread the path of duty to His Father God, even though that path led through Gethsamene to Calvary. And because He suffered as no man has ever been called or,- will be called upon to suffer, He is able to help everyone, no matter what the burden, —indeed, He will carry not only the burden, but also the weary one who has been struggling on alone. Of Him it has been written: “I am the Burden-bearer; I will never pass the o’er laden by. My feet are on the mountain steep; They wind through valleys dark and deep. They print the hot dust of the plain, And walk the billows of the main: Wherever is a load to bear My willing shoulder still is there.”

On Friday evening Mr. Dave Hewlett had a farewell word with the boys before returning to business at Palmerston. Speaking from the 23rd Psalm, “The Lord is my shepherd. . . . Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me. . . .” Emphasis was Laid on the point that they should not let the One, of whom the Psalmist spoaks, remain “the stranger of Gallilee,” but that they should receive the Lord Jesus Christ into their hearts as Saviour and Friend so that no matter what dangers they might have to face in the future, they could go forward with a calm spirit having the assurance that “I will fear no evil foi Thou, art with me”— very fitting farewell message. The enlargement of Everyman’s Hut is in hand and we hope next week to have the extra accommodation

Dur' ll ' available for the men. week Mr. Gordon Blair MU : a lantern talk on J phecies” following up wi “Armageddon.” -