Everyman’s Hut

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 22, 10 May 1940, Page 4

Everyman’s Hut

“Somewhere the run is shining, Somewhere the song birds dwell, Cease then thy heart’s repining . God lives and all is well. Somewhere, somewhere, beautiful Isle of Somewhere, Land of the true where we live anew, Beautiful Isle of Somewhere.” In times of trouble, of pains and sorrow and partings it is good to see beyond the dark clouds and to have the eye fixed upon something better beyond, to have set before us a goal, the attainment of which is worth all the striving and labour which is our present lot. To-day we -face stern realities, our very national life and our freedom are at stake and the path to victory lies through blood and suffering. When the forces of evil assert themselves and bring havoc and ruin to innocent thousands many, people question the existence of God, for why should an all powerful God permit such things ? But let us always remember that man is a creature of free thought, free will, free choice. We choose our own path but if we would know God’s presence with us, the path of our choosing must be the one of God’s choice also. If we would have God with us when troubles surround us and we cannot help ourselves, we must take Him with us when everything is going well and we think our own strength sufficient for all things; God is not a slave to come at our beck and call. Oh! for a lead from the heads of the nation, confessing our departure from God and our choice of material good, bringing spiritual poverty and starvation with it, our seeking of the welfare of our mortal bodies to the detriment of the

welfare of our immortal souls, and then a turning back to God in humble repentance, giving Him His rightful place amongst us, and we will in very truth know that “God lives and all is well.” Evil cannot exist in His presence and sooner or later right and truth will prevail and the forces of evil be withdrawn. “The mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly small.” At present the Hut is closed. Mr. Gordon Blair is recuperating from his tonsil operation ( and“ Tiny” Farnham is having a well-earned rest. On Wednesday evening, as the boys were doing the rounds of the Institutes, they congregated outside the Hut and sang “Abide With Me” and “God Be With You Till we Meet Again.” With bowed heads they stood in silence while Gordon commended them to God in a short prayer, and aftett singing “Now Is the Hour” and giving three cheers, they passed on. It was something worth while to see the reverence shown by that large gathering, and we believe that they at any rate had a glimpse of something far better beyond this vale of tears. God bless them and keep them is our heartfelt prayer.