Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 9, 14 September 1945, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments

GLEANINGS AN INVASION PRAYER (By an Unknown Soldi'.er) Who wrote tire verses remains a my.sterv; tliey were published in "Poems from the Desert" by members of Eighth and were by an "Unknown Soldier." They were found on a scrap of paper that nattered into a trench at El where the British men were Sheltering. Stay with me ) God. The night is dark; The nig lit is cold; my little spark Of courage dies. The night is long; Be with me, God ? and make me strong. I love a game; I love a light; [ hate the dark; I love the light; 1 love my child; [ love my wife: I am no coward. 1 love life. Life with its change of mood and shade: I want to live. I am not afraid ? But nie and. mine are hard to part; Oh ; unknown God } lift up my heart. You stilled the waters at You saved your servants. All your work Is wonderful, dear God. You strodo Before us down that dreadful road. We were alonc ? and hope had fled; We loved our country and our dead, And. could not shame them j :so we stayed The course and were not much afraid., j Dear that nightmare road and then, That seal we got there ? wc were men. Alv eyes were blind, my feet were torn^ My soul sang like a bird at dawn. T know that death is but a door. I know what we are lighting for— Peace for the 'kids our brothers, freed ■y A kinder world, a cleaner breed, I'm but. a son my mother boVe A simple man, and nothing more; But—God of strength and gentleness — Be pleased to make me nothing less. Help rae ) O when death is near To mock the haggard face of fear And when I fall—if fall I must — My soul may triumph in the dust. WHY PRAY 9 WHEN YOU CAN WORRY ? By Harry L. Mitchell. I had chatted pleasantly with Mrs Rlioda Hinkey, a retired widowed missionary to China and was about '9 to leave her tidy apartment when

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

(Supplied by tlie Wliakatime eis' Association).

my eyes Cell upon a little motto pinned to the lace curtain, That, was a rather unusual place for a motlo ? but even more unusual was the message of this one: "Why Pray When You Can Worry,?" 1 read it again to he sure 1 had it straight. Yes that was it. Heterodox, but oh, .so human ? this bit ol' philosophy! The very heresy of the thing made it impressive and heart-searching. Here was a piece of paste-board that dared, to declare the actual altitude of many a Chris.-< tian who would blush to confess it. But the shock of coming face to face with my own tendency to doubt and anxiety was. tempered by the humour of that sarcastic question. L chuckled aloud, Mrs Hinkcy observing the reason, laughed with me. Then she informed me that nearly every visitor to her home spied that little card as he was leaving and that he went away smiling just as 1 was about to do. And 1 suppose each one remembered it as distinctly as L have ? and was as deeply probed as I, Next prayer meeting night 1 passed it on to the church. 1 have sincc used it in personal conversation with troubled Ghristians } and often when I myself am tempted to fret and fear I am caught by the nape of the ne.ck ) and shaken out of my prayerless unbelief by the memory of that saucy, shameless inquiry into my faith, ''Why Pray ? When You Cart Worry?"—" The Reaper."

Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner " Christian with trouble;! brow? * Are you thinking of what is before you And all you are bearing now ? Does, all the world seem against you 5 And you in. the battle alone? Remember —at "Wit's End Corner" Is just where God's power is Shown. Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner," Blinded with wearying pain ? Feeling you cannot endure it You cannot bear the strain Bruised through the constant suffering J Dizzy and dazed and numb ? > ' Remember —at "Wit's. End Corner" Is where Jesus loves to come. Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner," Your work before, you spread All Iving begun unfinished And pressing on heart and head i Longing for strength to do it t Stretching out trembling hands ? Remember--at "Wit's End Corner" Tlie Burden-bearer stands. Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner"? Then you're in the very spot To learn the wondrous resources Of Him who faileth not. No doubt to a brighter pathway Your footsteps will soon be moved But only at "Wit's End Corner" Is the "God who is able" proved.