So what was the inspiration for Bliss' hymn? The story goes that one Sunday, Bliss was directing the singing for a series of services being conducted by the well-known preacher Dwight L. Moody (see "About The Author" below for more info on their relationship). As he closed his message, Moody told the story of a captain who was attempting to bring his boat to the Cleveland harbor one very dark and stormy night.
The waves rolled like mountains, Moody said, and not a star was to be seen in the clouded sky. He pictured the boat rocking on the violent waves as the captain peered through the darkness for the sight of a signal light by means of which to guide his vessel to safety. When he finally spotted a single light from the light-house, he turned to the pilot and asked:
“Are you sure this is Cleveland harbor?”
“Quite sure, sir,” the pilot replied.
“Then where are the lower lights?” the captain continued.
“Gone out, sir,” the other man answered (the lower lights were the way that ships identified the centerline of the safe entry to a harbor).
“Can you make the harbor?” the captain asked anxiously.
“We must, or perish, sir,” the pilot replied.
But despite his strong heart and brave hand, in the darkness he missed the channel. With a resounding crash the boat piled up on the rocks and then settled slowly to a watery grave.
As the congregation listened intently, Moody concluded with this admonition:
“Brethren, the Master will take care of the great light-house; let us keep the lower lights burning.”
That admontion was all Bliss needed to pen one of his most popular hymns, “Let the Lower Lights Be Burning.” See below for the lyrics:
1. 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.
2. Dark the night of sin has settled;
Loud the angry billows roar.
Eager eyes are watching, longing,
For the lights along the shore.
3. Trim your feeble lamp, my brother;
Some poor sailor, tempest-tossed,
Trying now to make the harbor,
In the darkness may be lost.
About the Author:
Philip Paul Bliss, composer and singer, was born in Clearfield county, Pa., July 9, 1838. His early life was spent in farming districts of Pennsylvania and Ohio, where opportunities for culture were not afforded, and he was ten years of age before he first heard a piano. At the age of thirteen he united with the Baptist church at Elk Run, Pa., and even in his earlier years had been of a serious turn of mind.
Up to 1855 he worked as a farmer and woodcutter, attending school now and then, and by 1856 had acquired enough education to enable him to teach school, his first experience as a pedagogue being at Hartsvllle, N.Y. In the winter of 1857 he attended a singing school for the first time, at Towanda, Pa., and a musical convention at Rome, N.Y., which brought him long-wished-for opportunities, and in 1860 he entered the Normal Academy of Music at Geneseo, N.Y. His voice developed into a bass of great range and beauty, and in the winter of 1860 he started on his career by teaching music and composing songs, which, however, had little more than a local reputation. About this time be made the acquaintance of George F. Root, who encouraged his efforts, and in 1865 Mr. Bliss entered into an arrangement with the firm of Root & Cady of Chicago, being engaged to conduct musical conventions in the northwestern states. He was also heard in oratorio, and sang the bass solos in "The Messiah" and "Elijah," with tremendous effect.
During one of his tours he met the evangelist, Dwight L. Moody, and a strong friendship sprang up between them. The result was that Mr. Bliss began to spend considerable time in the composition of sacred music in the form of songs, and in evangelistic labors. In 1874 he gave up all other work to devote himself to conducting revival meetings, chiefly in connection with Maj. D.W. Whittle, and by his manly character, his winning address, and his earnest spirit and his magnetic voice, had great power over his audiences.
His first songs were set to music by George F. Root, but those by which he became best known were wholly his own production. The most popular, "Hold the Fort," was inspired by a message signalled during the civil war by Gen. William T. Sherman. Others scarcely less popular were "Only an Armor Bearer," "Rescue the Perishing," "Pull for the Shore," and "Hallelujah! tis done!" Four collections of his songs were published: "The Charm" (1871); "The Song Tree" (1872); "The Joy" (1873), and "Gospel Songs" (1874).
He and his wife [Lucy J. Young whom he married June 1, 1859] perished in a railway disaster near Ashtabula, Ohio, Dec. 29, 1876. His "Memoirs," by Maj. Whittle, were published in 1877.