of the light that cast its friendly beams
over the sea every night thereafter, through storm and calm, for upwards
of six-and-forty years.

That John's life in the lighthouse was not all that he had hoped for
will become apparent in the next chapter.

CHAPTER FIVE.

A TERRIBLE SITUATION.

There were four rooms and a lantern in Rudyerd's lighthouse. The second
room was that which was used most by John Potter and his mate Isaac
Dorkin: it was the kitchen, dining room, and parlour, all in one.
Immediately below it was the store-room, and just above it the
dormitory.

The general tenor of the life suited John exactly: he was a
quiet-spirited, meditative, religious man; and, although quite willing
to face difficulties, dangers, and troubles like a man, when required to
do so, he did not see it to be his duty to thrust himself unnecessarily
into these circumstances. There were plenty of men, he was wont to say,
who loved bustle and excitement, and there were plenty of situations of
that sort for them to fill; for his part, he loved peace and quiet; the
Eddystone lighthouse offered both, and why should he not take advantage
of the opportunity, especially when, by so doing, he would secure a
pretty good and regular income for his wife and family.

John gave vent to an opinion which contained deeper truths than, at that
time, he thought of. God has given to men their varied powers and
inclinations, in order that they may use these powers and follow these
inclinations. Working rightly, man is a perfect machine: it is only
"the fall" which has twisted all things awry. There is no sin in
feeling an intense desire for violent physical action, or in gratifying
that desire when we can do so in accordance with the revealed will of
God; but there is sin in gratifying it in a wrong way; in committing
burglary for instance, or in prize-fighting, or in helping others to
fight in a cause with which we have no right to interfere. Again, it is
not wrong to desire peace and quiet, and to wish for mental and
spiritual and physical repose; but it is decidedly wrong to stand by
with your hands in your pockets when an innocent or helpless one is
being assaulted by ruffians; to sit quiet and do nothing when your
neighbour's house is on fire; to shirk an unpleasant duty and leave some
one else to do it; or to lie a-bed when you should be up and at work.

_All_ our powers were given to be used: our inclinations were intended
to im