Everyman’s Hut

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 23, 17 May 1940, Page 6

Everyman’s Hut

“. . . the ministry of reconciliation . . . that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself. . . . Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ . . . we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath i made him (who knew no sin) to be sin ] for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” These , words, quoted from the sth chapter of St. Paul’s second letter to the believers at Corinth, set forth the basic idea underlying the operation of Everyman’s Hut. We are living in a day when values have to be adjusted. Those things which seemed solid and enduring are beginning to. crumble. For many years the goal has been the betterment of the human race and in the desire to reach that goal, undue emphasis has been laid on material standards. • Increased purchasing power, leisure, comfort and higher living standards have been sought eagerly in the belief that the attainment of them would bring happiness and peace. The fact that happiness is not dependent upon external conditions or circumstances has been ignored or missed altogether, and now we are faced with a struggle for exist- | ence which threatens to sweep away all the old standards and leave us -with a brankrupt civilisation. Prosperity for one country or people begets envy and jealousy amongst others not so well favoured until the outcome is war, with all its suffering and ruin. ' True happiness can come only from a condition within the heart—it depends upon- the knowledge of peace with God, of the realisation that we have been reconciled to Him, through the sacrifice of Christ at Calvary. When . that condition exists in an individual there is a desire to serve Him and to seek to make the reconciliation and . peace known to others. Our vaunted material prosperity has led us only into war. Is it not time that we reassessed our values and asked ourselves, the question whether it is not the choice of material good and neglect of spiritual values that has brought us to this pass? Our aim, in the conduct of’ the Hut is to prove that we are not forgetful of the material good and comfort of the men,

but that we place their spiritual good as of far higher value—for material things last only for a little while at the most, but spiritual things are eternal. “All flash is as grass and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.' The grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away, but the Word of the Lord endureth for ever.” And so, ; while we tend to the comfort of the men to the best of our ability, the Word of God is ever given its place in the Hut. A brief description may be of interest to the men of the Third Echelon. The Hut is controlled by a committee, and is under the charge of Mr. Gordon L. Blair, who lives on the premises and who at present is on sick leave. It is not connected with any organisation and retains complete freedom of action. The responsibility of carrying on is undertaken by that section of Christians known as Brethren, of more commonly Plymouth Brethren, located in the Wellington or Central Military Dis- ' trict. As the name implies, “every- ' man” is welcome, and it is arranged and furnished to make each one feel at home. Nothing in the way of recreation or entertainment is provided, as it has been found that large numbers of the men prefer a place where they can have a 1 quiet read, write or talk. Refreshments are available at a nominal charge, two electric irons are provided free of charge for pressing, etc., and reading and writing facilities are available. The Hut is a depot for any sort of legitimate service, which the restrictions of camp life make impossible for a man to do for himself —boot and watch repairs, film developing and printing, purchases and messages, and also articles or items for insertion in the “Camp News” may be left there for delivery. Letters left at the Hut are posted the same night' in Upper Hutt or Wellington, thus catching the first available mail. In return for this, all that I is asked of the men is a brief period each night—2o minutes to half an hourwhen the cafeteria is closed and a portion of Scripture is read fol- i lowed by a short Gospel talk and prayer for the men and their folk at home. Our experience has been a happy one in the past and we look forward to the same consideration from the men in camp at present. Gospel booklets and literature are available for any who desire them, but there is no forcing of these views upon any man. All are at liberty to come and go as they please without being pestered in any way. Outside helpers, including ladies, assist in the evenings and Mr. Blair or any of the others are only too willing to do anything they can to help me in their difficulties and problems if they care to just make them known. Before the Second Echelon left, z, just on 1,000 copies of the Active Service . edition Testaments and Bibles were handed out to men wishing to have a copy and further supplies are anticipated for the Third Echelon. Welcome! The Third Echelon! We have endeavoured to make our aims and objects clear. We are here at your service, and don’t forget to put I your name in our visitor’s book, also the name of any relative or friend to whom you would like us to write when you have gone. The Second Echelon filled up over 50 pages, and you can beat that easily. Now go to it.