Everyman’s Hut

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 86, 22 August 1941, Page 8

Everyman’s Hut

When across the heart deep waves of sorrow * ■ J Break, as on a dry and barren shore; When hope glistens with no bright ‘tomorrow, And the storm seems sweeping evermore; When the cup of every earthly gladness Bears no taste of the life-giving stream; And high hopes, as though to mock our sadness, Fade' and die as in some fitful < dream, Who shall hush the weary spirits’ chiding? Who the aching void within shall .fill? , Who shall whisper of . a peace abiding, And each surging billow calmly still?

Only He, whose wounded heart was broken

With the bitter cross and thorny

crown ; Whose dear love glad words of joy had spoken, Who His life for us laid meekly down. Blessed Healer, all our burdens lighten; Give us peace, Thine own sweet peace, we pray! Keep us near Thee till the morn shall brighten, And all the mists and shadows flee away!” i There is an old saying “While there’s life there’s hope,” and in each human heart there is that germ of hope that survives to the last, that urge to fight on, to refuse to give in so long as strength to fight, to resist, remains.

It is becoming common reading in these days —the tales of survivors from sunken . ships or shot-down ’planes drifting for days and enduring privations, but always hoping for and looking for rescue, until hopes are realised and a friendly ship picks them up. Others are not so fortunate, but can we doubt that they have hoped until the privations cannot be endured longer and unconsciousness and death overtake them ? And when no friend is in sight, when we are cut off from all human help, to whom can we turn in our extremity? Hopes can spur us on and revive the flagging spirits, but if our hope is. founded on someone or something that fails us, we are doomed to disappointment. How necessary then to make absolutely certain that our hope is placed in that which will stand us in good stead in every trial or difficulty. “We have not

a high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, for He was tried on all points like as we are, yet without sin. The only sure foundation for hope for this life or the life to come, is Christ. He never fails, and His promise is ‘I will never leave thee, I will never forsake thee.” Let us cast all . our care on Him, for He careth for us. In His life here on earth He sounded the depths of human sufferings and now His grace is always available to give help in time of need to all who suffer and who will turn to Him for help. And in these , days of separation from loved ones, of suffering and anxiety and even of death we commend to each individual the only source of true comfort and hope —the crucified but risen and lovi ing Christ.