Everyman’s Hut

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 80, 4 July 1941, Page 8

Everyman’s Hut

“A Persian fable says: One day A wanderer found a lump of clay So redolent of sweet perfume, z Its odours scented all the room. ‘What are thou?’ was his quick demand, ‘Art thou some gem from Samarcand, Or spikenard in this rude disguise, Or other costly merchandise?’ ‘Nay; .1 am but a lump of clay.’ “ ‘Then, whence this wondrous perfume—Say!’ ‘Friend, if the secret I disclose, I have been dwelling with the rose.’ Sweet parable! and will not those Who love to dwell with Sharon’s rose, Distil sweet odours all around, Though low and mean themselves are found ? Dear Lord, abide with us that we ' May draw our perfume fresh from Thee.”

Only a box of ointment alabaster box— nothing to distinguish it in size or appearance from other similar ones, yet when Mary opened it and anointed the feet of Jesusthose feet that had trodden many weary miles on their message of hope and healing, the odour of ointment filled the whole house. It was just an ordinary box, but the ointment it contained was precious and costly. Those who thought it a waste valued it at more than 300 pence. Labourers working in the vineyard received a penny a day (roughly eightpence of our money), so that it represented about a year’s wages for a labourer and possibly a good deal more 'for a woman. But apart from its intrinsic value, it was the loving service that appealed to the Lord and earned His approval And those who claim the name of

Christian should be like the box of ointment, lowly and humble, yet giving out the fragrance of the love of Christ. The most fragrant lives are those who have a low estimate of themselves, but a high one of Christ. That is,the example which He left to all who would follow in His steps. “Behold your King cometh, meek and lowly, and riding upon an ass” is the description of His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. In the great prophetic fifty-third chapter of , Isaiah we read: “He hath no form nor comeliness, and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him,” but God’s estimate was, “This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.”' And in our service to others may self be so hidden and Christ so shown forth that those whom we have the privilege to serve and help may take knowledge of — as of the apostle of old — we have been with Jesus; that the world may be a better place because of our presence.