THE LIGHTHOUSE ON CANA ISLAND.
A FEW months ago I was one of a party who visited the Cana Island lighthouse on Lake Michigan. The lighthouse is situated on a small island, separated from the mainland by a narrow, rocky strait, which may be easily crossed, when the waves do not roll high. A gentleman and his family live in the lighthouse, which is connected with the tower, to keep the light, and care for the property, which belongs to the government. The grounds are neat and inviting, and everything seemed pleasant and cheery.
While looking about the building, we learned that the foundation of the tower was blasted to a depth of ten feet in the solid rock. It is one hundred and twenty feet high, and commands a fine prospect of wooded hills, and the beautiful waters of Lake Michigan.
As soon as the lamp was lighted in the evening, we ascended to the top of the tower by the means of circular iron stairs. The "lantern" is shaped nearly like the globe of one of our common lanterns, and is large enough to admit eight men at one time on the inside, with the lamp in the center. This globe, or lens, is made of beautiful prisms of glass, and was brought from Paris at a cost of $50,000. Some of the prisms were marred during its manufacture, or its cost would have been 175,000. The light given by the lamp is not very large, but seen through this magnifying glass when upon the water, it looks very large, and can be seen a long distance. By looking through the glass in one direction, it presents all the colors of the rainbow. This lantern is surrounded by large plate-glass windows, which permit the light to shine freely far out over the stormy waters. Just below the place where the light is kept, is a little door opening from the inside. Passing through this, we found ourselves on a narrow balcony surrounded by an iron railing, outside of the tower. Here, by the aid of a glass, we could see the "vessels making their way over the waters through the darkness.”
Now shall I tell you some of the lessons I learned from this lighthouse? I thought first, if it is necessary that the lighthouse have its foundation laid on the solid rock, how important that we lay with much care the foundation of a Christian character! Jesus said he would liken those who heard and obeyed his teachings to a man that built his house upon a rock, which would stand amid flood and tempest. Just before our visit, there had been a terrific storm, in which many noble vessels had been lost; but though the tower was shaken to its foundation, it "fell not; "for" it was founded on a rock." "Make in youth a right beginning" if you wish to stand the storms of life.
Soon after we entered where the light was, one of our party stepped between the light and the glass, but was instantly warned by the light keeper to change his position, or he would prevent the light from being seen on the water. So it is with us. Jesus has placed us in this world to reflect his life and character, that others seeing our good works may glorify our Father in Heaven. But often we stand in the way of others,- and the Saviour is hid from those who would accept him, were it not for our wrong position.
Again, I observed the watchfulness and care of the light-keeper. "The light must be adjusted so as not to vary the one-hundredth part of an inch," said he, and I observed that even in the most trivial matters, great exactness and care were used. All through the lonely hours of night he watched faithfully, lest his light should go out others could sleep; but he must keep awake. He was the light-keeper, and was held responsible for his light.
His work was to keep his light burning, that lives be not lost. We are to keep our light burning for a higher purpose, and watch for souls as those that must give an account. Jesus says, "Let your light so shine." It is not enough that it shines. It must shine in the right way, and great care must be taken that it does not go out. We each have a light to keep, which is of more importance than any lighthouse on earth. May we keep it always burning well trimmed, and ever bright.
VESTA J. OLSEN.
