Referred to as the lingua franca of maritime communication by Jesse McKinley in his New York Times newspaper article, Morse Code just celebrated an anniversary on July 12.
In its honor, M is for Morse code twelve years after its last transmission from coastal California. "We wish you fair winds and following seas" was broadcast by the Maritime Radio Historical Society who sponsored the event.
As a convinced Quaker, I think that I would have felt right at home with the melancholy 'codies'. Richard Dillman, president of the MRHS, pointed out that the voice was gone, but the ears were still on. Such is the process of entering the stillness of a Quaker meeting. Jack Martini, a former code station manager, cited experts who said the secret was to never count the dots and dashes, but to listen. Quaker silence is a product of obedience (derived from the Latin word for listening), not counting coughs or cleared throats.
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Sadly, just as there were not many code operators to respond to the anniversary communique, so there are not many able to appreciate the benefit of quiet worship. Listening for the musical rhythms of Morse code, however, has its reward. Mr. Dillman put it this way: "Even if there were no ships out there, we'd be keeping the faith; but, of course, it's thrilling when they call."
Something like another way of keeping the faith; and, of course, the thrill of God's call to the mysterious rhythms of the soul.
