When we were on vacation in Oregon this summer, we visited several lighthouses. At one, a man, dressed as the “keeper” of the lighthouse, explained how the lighthouse operated and what life was like in the 1870s.
One of the most interesting things that he told us had to do with the expectations that came with being the lighthouse keeper. Not only was the light to be kept lit from an hour before sundown until an hour after sunrise, but the log book had to be up to date, the house had to be kept clean and, most interestingly (to me), the Keeper, as a member of the military, had to wear his uniform at all times while on the job.
Now this was interesting for a couple of reasons. First, the uniform looked very uncomfortable (Google it and you will see). The three quarter length jacket looked very heavy and hot. The shirt, tie, wool pants and boots did not look like they were built for relaxing in and, to top it off, he had to wear his hat at all times. Trust me when I say that the guy dressed as the Keeper was the most overdressed person in the entire State Park that day.
The other reason the “uniform rule” was interesting to me was the simple fact that, back in the 1800’s, there may not have been anyone within 50 miles of the lighthouse on any given day. Lighthouses were out in the middle of nowhere. That did not matter, though. Whether the Keeper had visitors every day, or no one had stopped by for months, he wore the uniform. Why? One reason: the lighthouse inspector.
The inspector never announced his coming. He would just show up. It may be months between visits. It may be days. However, when he showed up, the light had to be operational, the books had to be in order, the guest room had to be ready and the Keeper had to be in uniform. If any of those things were out of order, the Keeper could be fired on the spot.
Jesus said, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father… Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:36 and 42).
As Jesus would say, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear”.
One of the most interesting things that he told us had to do with the expectations that came with being the lighthouse keeper. Not only was the light to be kept lit from an hour before sundown until an hour after sunrise, but the log book had to be up to date, the house had to be kept clean and, most interestingly (to me), the Keeper, as a member of the military, had to wear his uniform at all times while on the job.
Now this was interesting for a couple of reasons. First, the uniform looked very uncomfortable (Google it and you will see). The three quarter length jacket looked very heavy and hot. The shirt, tie, wool pants and boots did not look like they were built for relaxing in and, to top it off, he had to wear his hat at all times. Trust me when I say that the guy dressed as the Keeper was the most overdressed person in the entire State Park that day.
The other reason the “uniform rule” was interesting to me was the simple fact that, back in the 1800’s, there may not have been anyone within 50 miles of the lighthouse on any given day. Lighthouses were out in the middle of nowhere. That did not matter, though. Whether the Keeper had visitors every day, or no one had stopped by for months, he wore the uniform. Why? One reason: the lighthouse inspector.
The inspector never announced his coming. He would just show up. It may be months between visits. It may be days. However, when he showed up, the light had to be operational, the books had to be in order, the guest room had to be ready and the Keeper had to be in uniform. If any of those things were out of order, the Keeper could be fired on the spot.
Jesus said, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father… Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:36 and 42).
As Jesus would say, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear”.
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