Everyman’s Hut

Camp News (Northern Command), Volume 1, Issue 16, 16 August 1940, Page 6

Everyman’s Hut

■ “Sorrow touched by love grows bright I With more than rapture’s ray, And darkness shows us worlds of light j We never saw by day.” There is an old saying that “every ' cloud has a silver lining,” and one of the songs that was much sung during the last war ran thus: “There’s a silver lining Through the dark cloud shining, .. Turn the dark cloud inside out Till the boys come home.” This was but one of the many ways by which the spirit of the Empire sought to express itself in the days of sorrow and darkness— cheerful optimism that would not be dampened or ca'st down no matter whether things were going well or ill, the spirit that rises \ highest when things look blackest and backs are to the wall. In times of peace, with political and industrial bickerings and the love of sport,* that spirit seems to have departed, until those of other nations, who never have and never will, understand the character of these “mad Englishmen,” really believe that the Empire has become decadent, and is slowly but surely breaking up and becoming an easy prey for those bold _.i_ j Dn4- 4-Ln crmvif 1C

enougn to aiiacK. mu me opixiv xo merely lying fallow, and let but the breath of danger touch her, and England’s people rise as one man, petty quarrels and disputes put away as a child lays aside its toysnot to be taken up again until that which < threatens life and liberty has been crushed. And just as stars shine brightest in a darkened sky, and those myriads of twinkling lights, which are swallowed up in the bright light of the sun, shine in all their beauty during the night, so the night and darkness of trial and affliction cause human virtues and qualities to shine brightly, which in times of ease and comfort were seen only dimly or not at all. Adversity brings forth that which is best and finest in human nature, as the crushing of the grapes gives the rich juice. This is wonderfully illustrated in the life of Christ, where perfect divinity and perfect humanity went hand in hand. As man, weary and tired He slept in the boat, and the next instance as God He calmed the storm, and throughout? His life we find this close relationship, until we come to the last night before His death. And then, He who had all His life given that others might be helped and comforted, in the agony of sorrow and trial that pressed upon Him, rose to divine heights in His care and solicitude for those around Him. Here is a picture of Him on the cross, written by Godet. “Stripped of everything, Jesus seemed to have nothing more to give. Nevertheless, from the midst of this deep poverty He had already ' made precious gifts to His execul tioners. He had bequeathed the par- • don of God to His companion in pun- • ishment, paradise. Could He find - nothing to leave to His mother anc - His friend? These two beloved perI. , sons, who had been His most precious s treasures on earth, He bequeathed t< one another, giving thus at once a soi

to His mother and a mother to His friend.” * • While the men are on leave, the Hut is quiet and Mr. Gordon Blair has taken the opportunity of getting away for a few days. ' . ■>