The Republican journal., 1883-02-15
The Spirit of Norembega.

At the Perkins School for the Blind in South
Boston, on January Sd, was celebrated the
thirtieth year of the matronship of Miss NJ. G.
Moulton. the pupils and many others taking
part. Prof. Paine, of the New Church Divini-
ty School, spoke as follows:
Thrty-seven years have passed since | first
knew your matron, Miss Moulton, and to-day
claim to be the only member of one of her
earliest asylums. Not her earliest asylum. for
| cannot think it possible that she could have
been what she was at the date Indicated. with
out having already healed many broken hearts
and bound up their wounds. Her small asylum
was in Bangor, Maine, high up on the west bank
of the Sanduskeag. Her sister, now present
and brother constituted the family.
Professor Paine went on to say that he some
times thought the reason why we have so many
legends of spirits haunting streams is because
it is hard for us to believe that so much good
ever lived in human form; so when such Il
sanity person dies, the good which lives after
him becomes associated with the idea of spirit
presence. ''This little poem" said he. was
written by Merle St. CroiX Wright, age 81. He
gives il no title. but have called it 1.-The Spirit
of Norembega," for the poet believes Norem
bega to be the ancient name of Bangor, Maine
and knew that the spirit alluded to, once lived
there, and still hallows the memory of the place
Norembega Norembega.
Strange dream-city of the past!
How my heart has opened to thee!
Yes. | know thee, now, at last
As | roll the cloudy curtain
OF the years back from my sight,
Sec:-she comeS-a sanity spirit,
In her flowing robes of white;
Comes from out the home of twilight,
From the dusky land of dreams,-
With its mystery about her,
In her eyes its spirit CLEANS.
There is weeping in the city.
There is waing in the wood,
Many long and thrOng to see her,
Standing there where once she stood.
But her ear hath caught the echo
OF a clmgng, lingering sound,-
Hers alone-like mist or vapor
Rising dmly from the ground.
And her heart hath heard the calling
Hers alone-and she must fare,
For it swclls with mothers instinct
She shall find her children there.
So from out the shadowy city
She hath vanished, she is gone
But her memory lives within them,
And her love still! fingers on.
So she fares-this stranger spirit,
Ever following the voice,
And something in her bosom
Bids her beating heart rejoice.
She has found them. She has taken
To her breast her children dear,
In her home hath seen the Heaven
Happiness on earth can rear.
Thirty years have passed, soft-stepping,
Crowned with peace her shining brow,
Signed the cross upon her forehead.
Santlier than ever now:
Filled her heart with loves own fullness.
Lit her eyes with loves own fire.
Blessed her longing and her labor,
To the height of loves desire.
Thirty years the blind have seen her
With the ewes of mind and soul,
Felt her peaceful. angel presence
Working out the peaceful whole.
Thirty years have built a temple
For this love-learned people here,
And the priestesS' love and patience
Brought the light of Heaven near.
Thirty years. To man how mighty.
But how slight to Gods endeavor,
Yet her love and life thus lavished
Shall itce on, iote on. forever.
Whe -ah, who-need sing of spirits
When on earth such spirits dwell:
Who need search them out or seek them?
Blind can see them, dumb can tell.
Norembcga. Norembega,
Secret. dark and silent land
can hear, my eyes are opened
! can see and understand.