Philip Bliss was a leading, gospel song writer of the late 19th century. He often received the inspiration for a hymn, while listening to a message during a church service. Once an idea struck his alert mind, he worked rapidly usually completing both the text and the music in one sitting.
One day, while traveling with Dwight L Moody as the musician for an evangelistic campaign, Bliss was impressed by an illustration used by Mr. Moody for a message. Moody often told this terse, but moving story of a violent storm on Lake Erie:
“On a dark, stormy night, when the waves rolled like mountains and not a star was to be seen, a boat, rocking and plunging, neared the Cleveland harbor. ‘Are you sure this is Cleveland?’ asked the Captain, seeing only light from the lighthouse. ‘Quite sure, sir.’ replied the pilot. ‘Where are the lower lights?’
“Gone out, sir!’ ‘Can you make the harbor?’ 'We must, or 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 slivered and many a life lost in a watery grave.
‘Brethren,’ concluded Mr. Moody, ‘the Master will take care of the great lighthouse. Let us keep the lower lights burning.”
Bliss was inspired by the story. Working rapidly, he sat down and penned the words and composed the melody in one sitting.
Bliss was born in Clearfield County, PA in 1838. His youthful days were spent on a farm or in a lumber camp, where he experienced severe poverty. At an early age, young Bliss displayed unusual talent and interest in sacred music. Although he never received a formal training in music, his self-study made him a knowledgeable and proficient musician.
At the age of twenty-five, Bliss sent a letter and a copy of his first music manuscript to Dr. George Root, wondering if he could sell his song to the Root and Cady Music Company, a leading music publishing house, in exchange for a flute. Root recognized the talent of this young man and immediately encouraged him with a new flute.
The next year, Bliss moved with his family from PA to Chicago and became actively involved with the Root and Cady Company, as their representative in conducting music conventions and training institutes through the Midwest. During this time, Bliss’ abilities as a gospel singer, song leader, and writer became increasingly recognized.
Bliss would go on to compose other great hymns such as Jesus Loves Even Me, Wonderful Words of Life, Hallelujah, What a Savior and Hold the Fort before his untimely death in a tragic train accident at the tender age of thirty-eight
Dailyverse.knowing-Jesus.com: Christ is the true Light of the World, but we who have received His new life have been entrusted to carry the testimony of His light, His life and His love into a darkened world, and He has commanded us to live out our lives in a manner that is well-pleasing to Him. We are to walk in the light as He is in the Light and we are to point lost souls to the One Who lightens our darkness and breathes life into the lifeless soul.
Biblehub.com, Benson Commentary: He that closely, humbly, steadily follows Me, shall have the divine light continually shining upon him, diffusing over his soul knowledge, holiness, and joy, till he is guided by it to life everlasting.
Studylight.org, Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible: Announcing the Good News of the message of mercy, or the Word of God . . . common Christians who were scattered by the persecution; and the meaning is, that they communicated to their fellow men in conversation the glad tidings that the Messiah had come . . . it should be the great object of all Christians to make the Savior known everywhere.
Christiabity.com, Matthew Henry's Bible Commentary: Though persecution must not drive us from our work, yet it may send us to work elsewhere. Wherever the established believer is driven, he carries the knowledge of the gospel, and makes known the preciousness of Christ in every place. Where a simple desire of doing good influences the heart, it will be found impossible to shut a man out from all opportunities of usefulness.
Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary: Those who love souls must be ever watchful, must venture and bear all the painful effects of their faithfulness, and take all opportunities of making known the pure gospel.
Biblehub.com, Matthew Poole's Commentary: In season, out of season; that is, at all times, not on the Lord’s days only, but any other time when thou hast opportunity; not in times when thou mayst do it with safety, but when the wisdom of the flesh tells thee it is out of season.
Greg Chandler wrote these words about lower lights on the
Teachingtruth.org website:
“Bliss' lyrics echo a message found throughout the pages of
God’s Word, reaching its crescendo in what the Lord described as the second
greatest command: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself' (Matthew 22:39).
Prior to delivering this teaching, Jesus was asked, 'What is the greatest
command?' In reply, He stated, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart and with all your soul and with all your mind' (vs. 37). Knowing that
loving one’s neighbor cannot be divorced from loving God, Jesus paired these
two teachings, demonstrating a way in which the greatest command is displayed.
“Interestingly, the Bible is filled with lower lights.
Consider Abraham’s faithful servant Eleazar, who sought a wife for his master’s
son; Boaz, who proved a true kinsman for Ruth and Naomi; Barzillai, who
provided for King David as he fled his son’s rebellion; the women at the tomb,
who willingly volunteered to care for the body of Jesus; Priscilla and Aquila,
who “'risked their necks' for Paul (Romans 16:3-4); the mother of Rufus, who was
also a mother to Paul. So many others could be added to the list, yet these
illustrate people who briefly crossed the Bible stage as they sought to do good
for others.
"The biblical concept of kindness
always involves concrete action; therefore, God’s lower lights are always busy
in the service of others.
“Becoming a lower light is not passive; it requires seeking
out opportunities to serve. Most people, for whatever reason, will not freely
volunteer that they are in need. Therefore, lower lights do not simply say, 'if
there’s anything I can do…' and then go on their way; they seek out and fulfill
what is needed. As in all worthy pursuits, time and effort will be required.
Lower lights are as busy as everyone else, yet they do not allow their busyness
to serve as an excuse; time is allotted to help others. They understand that
part of 'laying up treasures in Heaven' involves putting others first.”
We can be the ‘lower lights’ that God uses to break through
the darkness. It is a privilege to show His love to others. Sometimes an
understanding smile, a listening heart, or a few caring words can reach out to someone,
giving an opportunity for God’s love to reach out and open the eyes and heart
of someone you know.
The lower lights surrounding a lighthouse guide the boats in the harbor away from the treacherous rocks and into the channel. The interesting analogy in this hymn was suggested by Moody. We may not all be powerful lighthouses, such as Mr. Moody, Ira Sankey, or Philip Bliss, but God calls us each to be ‘lower lights’ wherever we are to guide some fainting, struggling person to the eternal haven with deeds, and direct all the praise to our heavenly Father.
