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In 1869 there was a fever in the house of the keeper of the Ellis Bay lighthouse, and at the same time the machinery broke down. This light revolves and flashes every minute and a half. If it should stop revolving and flash no more, passing vessels would mistake it for some other light, and would be misled by it and possibly wrecked. The heroic light-house-keeper determined when the machinery broke down, to work the light and keep it revolving by hand. For twelve long hours every night he sat there in the turret, with his watch beside him, and turned the light at the right moment. Vessels away out at sea saw the flashes at the proper intervals and went safely on their course. It was nearly a year before the government vessel came to the dreary spot with new supplies. During all the time there was sickness in the keeper’s family. His children lay ill unto death, and all day long he watched and nursed them; then as night fell on the iron bound coast, he hastened to his place in the turret, to turn the light by hand till morning.
This incident illustrates true faithfulness – firm, unyielding, loyal to every duty to God and humanity, true even unto death; and yet, note how gentle and tender it is. Wrought into the heroic integrity and devotion to duty was the affectionateness of true fatherhood. In every worthy life we find both these qualities. Beneath the armor of steel beats ever the gentle heart.