Everyman’s Hut

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 20, 26 April 1940, Page 6

Everyman’s Hut

“I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness; Where is death’s sting? Where grave thy victory? I triumph still if Thou abide with me.” If we could see into the hearts of the men of the Second Echelon just at this time we would find much to give , us joy, much to draw out our sympathies and much perhaps to cause us sorrow of heart, but everything that should send us to our knees in fervent, heartfelt prayer on behalf of everyone of them. We rejoice for each man who can truthfully say the words’ quoted above, and especially for those who have had the courage ’to stand up before their comrades and publicly confess to their faith in Christ, we sympathise with those 1 who had burdened hearts, and who are perhaps called upon to make greater sacrifices than others, our hearts are sad for those who are seeking the narcotics of sin and pleasure to deaden the thoughts of better things that come unbidden and unsought to even the hardest heart — but, Men of the Second Echelon, whoever or whatever you. are, as you go forth to bear the brunt of . battle for those who are left behind, go forth with the knowledge that we of Everyman’s Hut have learned to love you and are not ashamed to say that the parting will leave us sad, go forth with the knowledge that our prayers follow you, as they have done the men. of the First Echelon, and not the prayers only of those who have come in contact with you at the Hut, but the prayers of many throughout New Zealand who have not . had the privilege of meeting you but who are interested in you through the Hut, and are helping the work along. Remember that if it is your lot to' cross the- seas, each night the words of the hymn-prayer “Eternal Father Strong to Save” will rise from the Hut on your behalf, may the knowledge of these things serve to strengthen your hearts and keep you amid all the temptations which you will have to face. You all know the purpose of the Hut. That has never been kept in the background. We are glad to do any little service for you, we are happy to serve you with refresh-

ments or to - provide a resting place for you, but if these were the only objects, then there would be no Hut. We want you for Christ. He wants men of courage and backbone. You have proved you possess both by your presence in camp. Will you not take just one more step and give allegiance to Him, who only can save and keep you. Only a step, and yet harder than “going over the top,” but you can do it if you will only get your thoughts away from . your comrades I and set them on the One who loved you' and gave Himself for you. On account of men availing themselves of leave privilege, our Sunday, evening gathering was smaller than usual, but the singing was hearty and : afterwards Mr. Blair spoke on the story of Cain and Abel, showing these two men as type of the religions of the present day — the doctrine of “.Works” as typified in Cain’s sacrifice, and of “Faith”" in Abel’s. He spoke , strongly of the moral dangers ahead of the men and appealed to them to take Christ as Saviour, that they might be able to stand in the midst of the evil with which they must be brought in contact. At the close several men stoop up and confessed their faith in Him. And now, what more can we wish the men than “the - blessing of the Lord, which maketh rich and addeth no sorrow thereto.” “The Lord bless thee and keep thee, the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee, the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace.”