“LET THE LOWER LIGHTS BE BURNING!”
An illustration, recited in Mr. Moody's graphic fashion in one of his discourses, suggested this hymn to P.P. Bliss.
“A stormy night on Lake Erie, and the sky pitch dark.”
‘Pilot, are you sure this is Cleveland? There's only one light.’
‘Quite sure, Cap'n.’
‘Where are the lower lights?’
‘Gone out, sir.’
‘Can you run in?’
‘We've got to, Cap'n—or die.’
“The brave old pilot did his best, but, alas, he missed the channel. The boat was wrecked, with a loss of many lives. The lower lights had gone out.
“Brethren, the Master will take care of the great Lighthouse. It is our work to keep the lower lights burning!”
Brightly beams our Father's mercy
From His lighthouse evermore;
But to us He gives the keeping
Of the lights along the shore.
Chorus.
Let the lower lights be burning!
Send a gleam across the wave;
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman
You may rescue, you may save.
Both words and music—composed in 1871—are by Mr. Bliss. There are wakening chords in 490 / 432 the tune—and especially the chorus—when the counterpoint is well vocalized; and the effect is more pronounced the greater the symphony of voices. Congregations find a zest in every note. “Hold the Fort” can be sung in the street. “Let the Lower Lights be Burning” is at home between echoing walls.
The use of the song in “Bethel” meetings classes it with sailors' hymns.