Everyman’s Hut

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 18, 12 April 1940, Page 7

Everyman’s Hut

jon we’ll reach the shining river, Don our pilgrimage will cease; Don our happy hearts will quiver 'ith the melody of peace. Yes, we will gather at the river, The beautiful, beautiful river. ' Gather with the saints at the ■ river That flows by the throne of God. ” Strange though it may seem, to tae people this is a “good war,” a shy” job with opportunities for a id time and no thought for the sufing of those who have to bear the int, people to whom the idea of ice is distasteful so long as the r does not touch them materially, t we are thankful that this type of 'son does not predominate and that Hi' average thinking man or woman f; the ear tuned to catch the first tains of “the melody of peace.” How jg before the discordant notes of j.- will be picked out and set in order ;produce that melody? pfstening to the men in the hut ging the words of the hymn quoted . L .ve, one’s thoughts ran on ahead r the brief period covered by that ‘ e word “soon.” How long before one, soldier and civilian alike 11 reach the shining river?” 01death comes not on the battlefield — he stalks each, one of us as our shadow, and we know not how ’lfc? we are to the brink of the river. IV the men set out overseas, just .1 re and when will they reach the ®of their pilgrimage! The future Eclosed secret to each one, but can ;ay,“God holds the key and I am ?” When we, one by one, reach !TIS.

the river of death, will the king’s ferry boat be waiting to transport us across to His presence and eternal glory, or will we go under the cold waters in"darkness and alone ? Looking round upon the men so full of life and vigour and listening to their singing, thoughts like these press upon us and we feel our exceeding lack of strength and ability to do anything for them. If only we could open their eyes to see their need, and if only we could just gather them all in our arms and lift them up into the protecting arms of their saviour. But we can’t, so we are cast upon the One Who is able, the One Whose arms are outstretched, Who is waiting for mankind to come to Him and be saved. God grant that the nightly messages, the hymns and the prayers that are offered may bear fruit in the hearts of the hearers, that whether in the homeland, on the sea or in countries over the seas, these things may be revived in their hearts so that they may look forward to reaching the shining river, with hearts happy that the weary pilgrimage is o’er and that rest and peace are theirs.

Though in common with the other Institutes, our hours have been restricted, we look forward to meeting the men during the open periods and will endeavour to make their last days in the camp such that they will be able to look back upon them with happy memories. Sunday was another busy day, ending with a very well attended singsong, including some much appreciated solos. Mr. Gordon Blair gave a searching talk on the Crucifixion and the repentant thief, ending with an appeal to the men to give serious heed to the word of God and to make their decision for Christ.