Life seemed very bright in our light house beside the sea. One dark and stormy night we heard the flapping of sails and saw the lights flashing in the darkness. The ship was in distress. After a hard struggle she reached the harbor and was leaking so badly she sank. My husband in his efforts to assist them lost his life. He was drowned with a companion, the first mate of the schooner "Thomas Howland." The bodies were never recovered, and only those who have passed through the same know what a sorrow it is to lose your loved one by drowning and not be able to recover the remains. It is a sorrow that never ends through life.
MY APPOINTMENT AS LIGHT-KEEPER.
Life to me then seemed darker than the midnight storm that raged for three days upon the deep, dark waters. I was weak from sorrow, but realized that though the life that was dearest to me had gone, yet there were others out on the dark and treacherous waters who needed to catch the rays of the shining light from my light-house tower. Nothing could rouse me but that thought, then all my life and energy was given to the work which now seemed was given me to do. The light-house was the only home I had and I was glad and willing to do my best in the service. My appointment came in a few weeks after, and since that time I have tried faithfully to perform my duty as a light keeper. At first I felt almost afraid to assume so great a responsibility, knowing it all required watchful care and strength, with many sleepless nights. I now felt a deeper interest in our sailors' lives than ever before, and I longed to do something for humanity's sake, as well as earn my own living, having an aged mother dependent upon me for a home. My father had passed beyond. Sorrows came thick and fast upon me. Two brothers and three nephews had found graves beneath the deep waters, but mine was not the only sorrow. Others around me were losing their loved ones on the stormy deep and it seemed to me there was all the more need that the lamps in our light-house towers should be kept brightly burning.
Let our lamps be brightly burning
For our brothers out at sea—
Then their ships are soon returning,
Oh! how glad our hearts will be.
There are many that have left us,
Never more will they return;
Left our hearts with sorrows aching,
Still our lamps must brightly burn.
TRIBUTE TO THE SAILORS.
Oh sailor boy, sailor boy, sailor boy true!
The lamps in our towers are lighted for you.
Though the sea may be raging your hearts will not fail;
You'll ride through the rolling foam not fearing the gale.
And God in his mercy will lead you aright.
As you watch the light-house with lamps burning bright.
The wind your lullaby, as the raging seas foam;
Oh sailor boy, sailor boy, we welcome you home.
Oh sailor boy, sailor boy, sailor boy true!
Your dear darling mother is praying for you;
Your sweet bride is weeping as her vigil she keeps,
Not knowing your ship has gone down into the deep.
As she walks on the shore, her eyes out to sea,
"Oh husband, my sailor boy, come back to me!"
The wild waves dash up at her feet in a foam,
They answer, "Your sailor boy no more can come home."