Those Range Marks

St. Mary’s River, Michigan, between Lake Superior and Lake Huron is very crooked, and therefore very dangerous for ships passing up and down, yet there is an immense amount of shipping going thru it continually.

In the 19th century, to overcome these dangers there were at certain places on both banks what was called “range marks.” That is, a lane is cut up from the bank through the trees, and a large mark is set up near the shore, and one farther back; then the sailor on his ship has to get these two marks in a line with each other, and when so, he knows he has to change the course of his ship to avoid shoal water. At night these “range marks” are lighted up. So by carefully watching these marks at every bend of the river, ships can navigate safely even by night. So God gives us marks in His book, and by His providence, and by His Holy Spirit, by which we may safely steer our course through the rocks and breakers of life.