If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9
Congress authorized the U.S. Coast Survey on this day in 1807. President Thomas Jefferson signed the act to “provide for surveying the coasts of the U.S.” Its first superintendent, Ferdinand Hassler, traveled to England to collect scientific instruments but was unable to immediately return due to the War of 1812. After the war ended, Hassler returned to the U.S. in 1817 and began to survey the New York Harbor. However, Congress suspended his work due to tensions between military and civilian control of the agency. The Department of the Navy held control for several years, and in 1832 the civilian U.S. Coast Survey was established and appointed Hassler as superintendent. The Office of Coast Survey has been the nation’s chart maker ever since. Pray today for those in positions of authority to be led by God as they chart the nation’s course.
As the Lord leads, pray with us…
- For the president and his advisors as they forge partnerships and alliances with other nations.
- For U.S. government and military officials as they seek to protect the nation’s coastlines.
