The Story of a Lavender Bag

CANON STATHER HUNT, of Tunbridge Wells, who ranks as a Territorial Lieutenant-Colonel amongst Chaplains, has charge of a fine new hotel, now commandeered as a hospital. He told me a beautiful story of one of his patients. The man had been shot right across the eyes, so that the sight of one was permanently lost, and that of the other was threatened. To this blinded man Mr. Stather Hunt said, “You can’t see, my dear friend, but I have here something you can enjoy.” He put his hand into the satchel which he carries on his rounds, containing various gifts for the men, felt for and pulled out at haphazard a little bag of lavender. A number of these, with different texts attached, had been sent him by friends at home. “There,” he said, “that sweet smell will remind you of home. It will fade away in time, but there is a message written on it which will last much longer. Let me look at it and read it for you.” As he spoke he turned the bag round and read this astonishingly appropriate text: — “When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me” (Mic. 7:8). Perhaps the kind unknown friend in England who sent the gift and the message, doubtless selected with prayer, will read these words and rejoice.
Greater Britain Messenger.