Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-12-29
For the Ellsworth American
Georgia Pulsifer Porter writes Of q
Maine Poetesa,

Maine Poetess.
Eighty four years ago In the town of |
Needham, Mass, she was born who is now
Mrs. Eliys5cIh Dyer of Old Town. Maine. |
All the education this lady received was OBJ |
tanned at the district school and q few terms |
at an academy in a neighboring town,
but one who has enjoyed all the education
al advantages Of the 10th century could be
benefited by visit to this lady
For years Mrs. Dyer has written poems |
10 very quiet way, but they have been ad- |
mred by all who have seen them, those |
which have been published receiving uni |
vsrsal praise. Had Mrs. Dyer been more |
anxious to put her poems before the pub |
lie, she would undoubtedly have received |
much more notice. The last hour spent |
with Mrs. Dyer she expressed desire that |
the rising generation might realize that it |
was almost blessing to be born to day, |
comparing the opportunities of her young |
days with those Of the present, how the |
schools were changed and now Wellesley |
College being so near her former home. |
Those who take so lightly the privileges |
Of every kind might be stimulated to bet
ter work and more appreciation If they
would listen to Mrs. Dyer.
Referring to the many changes she
thought none were more marked than In |
the religious views, and smilingly told OF
her chagrin at attending a liberal church |
when she was young. knowing that this
view of Christs teaching was looked upon
with great disfayor by a large majority,
but now none need blush at views honest
ly entertained. | felt like adding that
though We had gained what our forefath-
ers struggled for. freedom to worship
God there WAS need of great care lest We
forget to worship Him.
| had always felt q love for the poet
Whittier, but not love and appreciation
like hers; she had watched his career she
knew what 1t meant to write as he wrote
and at the time he wrote his Voices of
Freedom" she knew that there were few
who could have seen and admired at that
time, under the rough exterior. the kindly
heart and put this seeing into verse q, did
the poet Whittier in hi lines In Brown
of Ossawatomie." Mrs Dyer will thank
you for coming 10 see .,F and bringing q
ray of the outside word and you will feel
rested and stimulated a- well By the call
! always try TO lead her 10 speak Of her
self, but 1t is with difficulty. She is no
egotist. She remarked to me. Perhaps
II would have been better If had never
allowed myself to write any. although
have only written when the thoughts come
almost entirely unlimited"
| send you one of Mrs. Dyers latest
Mrs. Dyer is mentioned in The Poets of
Maine" aud her poems have been pub
lshed IN various newspapers as well as In
gift books.
God in Everything.
I've held converse with flower. moist with
tears Of the night.
And At midday when blu-hing rc-pIendent IN
Night
Whence such beauty: They answered all IT.
dAntl, bright.
We are smiles OF the living God
| have sat on the bsnk OF clear ripping
brook,
A. singing it danced past the pebbly nook.
Whence thy source: II -sng with glsd spark
ling look.
Il fow from the fountain OF God"
l have talked with the wind when it swept tie
wide plain.
And IN hoarse angry tones reused the deep,
surging main.
why such rage;' I've inquired. II answered
me plain
Il breathe the behest of my God
have questioned the stars moon and bright
god Of day.
Whence such .plendor: Responsive each orb
seemed to say
our Ugh, Is retraction, our keystone rny
OF the eye OF til Omniic Cod
Zen 20 through all nature, both sea, sky ard
land.
Through all earth's domains, of " hste'er de-
mand.
Reply, I'VE are found sustained by the hand
OF the mighty, the all Sovereign God"
ELIZABETH 5. DYER.
The Universalist church Of this city hav-
ing been remodeled was rededicated in
June. 1891. and the following poem was
written by Mrs. Dyer, who was then eigh-
ty-three years old:
Dedication Hymn.
Father, Thy presence We invoke,
And plead that Thou " lit deign
To light, with Thy approving smile,
This renovated fame.
This glt,T peoples hands have wrought
We dedicate to Thee,
And pray. when aggregated here,
Thou in their midst will be.
Beneath this roof do Thou permit
Thy guiding light TO shine;
On hearts that worship here impress
Thy attributes divine.
While age and youth aud childhood list
To messages Of love,
Be this Thy dwelling plsce-here shed
Thy influence from above.
Long these walls shall stand, do Thou
! Ever within them dwell,
| Here heed the fervent prayer, the song,
| The organs lofty swell.
! Grant, Father, that this house to-day
/ To Thy blest service given.
! Shall be TO weary. pilgrim souls
An open gate to Heaven.