Lord’s Day, Vol. 3 No. 1

Let the Lower Lights Be Burning – From the Story of a Shipwreck 

Dwight L. Moody, famed evangelist of the last century, often told the moving story of a ship nearing the Cleveland harbour during a violet storm on Lake Erie. The waves rolled like mountains and not a star was to be seen, a boat, rocking and plunging, near the Cleveland harbour.

“Are you sure this is Cleveland?” asked the Captain, seeing only the light from the lighthouse. “Quite sure, sir,” replied the pilot.

“But where are the lower lights along the shore?” the Captain asked. “Gone out, sir!” was the reply.

“Can we make the habour?”

“We must, or we perish, sir.”

With a strong hand and a brave heart, the old pilot turned the wheel. But alas, in the darkness he missed the channel and, with a crash upon the rocks, the boat was silvered and many a life lost in a watery grave.

“The Master will take care of the great lighthouse,” concluded Mr. Moody. “But let us keep the lower lights burning.”

Listening intently to Moody’s story was Philip P. Bliss, a gospel song writer and a soloist for Moody’s evangelistic meetings.

Upon hearing this story, Bliss was inspired to write the words and music for the well-known hymn “Let the Lower Lights Be Burning.”

Brightly beams our Father’s mercy

            From the lighthouse evermore,

But to us He give the keeping

            Of the lights along the shore.

Let the lower lights be burning!

            Send a gleam across the wave!

Some poor fainting, struggling seaman

            You may rescue, you may save.

Dark the night of sin has settled,

            Loud the angry billows roar;

Eager eyes are watching, longing.

            For the lights along the shore..

Trim your feeble lamp, my brother!

            Some poor sailor tempest tossed,

Trying now to make the harbour,

            In the darkness may be lost.

Our loved ones, friends, neighbours, or associates need us to be the “lower lights” to point them to the Light of the world. Let us take heed of Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:16.“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” [Extracted and edited from Songs in the Night by Henry Gariepy]

Yours lovingly in Christ,

Ps. Lek Aik Wee