Poem to Lilian Garland Birch
Written June 18, 1881 for Lillian Garland Birch's 21st birthday, by her Mother, Ellen (Garland) Birch
THOUGHTS ON THE PAST 21
YEARS
It seems today I must look back (though some may think it silly)
On all the joy caused by the birth of my dear daughter, Lillie.
One baby girl God had given to love, but her life was very brief;
She was quickly called to Heaven above - my heart was fall of grief!
But in 1860, June 18, memorable 'Waterloo Day!'
God gave me Lillie who, like a sunbeam, chased gloom and grief away.
When quite a babe, with Father and I, in Brighton she was so good,
In a tiny boat on the open sea she slept in happiest mood.
Quite early in life to Dame Harris' School so willingly would she go
To leam A.B.C.S, to make a straight stroke, to read, to mark and to sew.
It seems but a day since she trotted away in a little brown frock, so neat,
With Rose by her side and both fall of play, they met Mr. James in the street.
"Good-moming, Miss Lillie, you have a new frock, and, dear me, you are getting tall."
"You are wrong, Sir," she said, "this frock is not new, for it's made out of Mother's old shawl!"
Dame Harris soon taught her all she herself knew; said her tables correctly and well,
So she left the old lady without much ado and went, for a time, to Miss Bell.
All music lessons were given at home, but oh! What a trouble to me!
How oft have I said, "Go, practise! You must, or a musician you never will be!"
In telling a tale the truth should be told - I confess, she was not always good.
Poor Signer Swino she never could love, and sometimes was really quite rude.
To the school of Miss Davis she went after that, and there she remained for some years;
But of school days, I think, there is not more to tell, neither its pleasures - or tears.
I think the dear child was only fourteen when I left her the housework to bear,
While I spent a month amidst Alpine scenes, and the home was placed in her care.
Soon after this it seemed most right that to Oxford she should go
To leam a trade with all her might, while she stayed with Mr. Crow.
And though, of course, it was not home, and she longed for Norwood
Green,
Still, the three years so happily passed, they seemed but as a dream.
When far from home she found the way to seek the Saviour's face,
Her parents' hearts rejoiced to know that she was "saved through
Grace."
"Oh, let that Grace inspire, dear Lord, her soul with strength Divine;
May all her powers to Thee aspire, and all her days be Thine."
In Oxford town she found true friends, some of the 'Norwood' type,
And in the Lodge her talents shone in full good Templar light.
They mourned her loss in home and Lodge when duty called to part
And tho' away from Oxford friends they still are friends in heart.
Lancaster House seemed rather dull compared with Mr. Crow's,
Yet there she stayed a little while till duty called her on.
Dear John said, "Do not leave, Miss Birch. What shall we do without
you?
But if you must, pray come again, where friends are all about you."
And now into another sphere she is called for a time to be -
Taking care of Edward's home while we go to Italy.
Her Uncle Lissolo, loving her much, says, 'To Italy she must come!
And for our Lillie dear we'll find a suitable husband soon."
Now, very soon, her brother thought it not good to be alone,
So he took to himself a wife, and Lillie dear came home.
And though it's just a country farm and things not very grand,
A happier spot could not be found, methinks, throughout the land.
She learned some things in country life it is as well to know;
Neither a maiden nor a wife should be all 'front' and 'show!'
Mid rustic scenes she stayed awhile, her parents' hearts to cheer,
Trying a little good to do the time that she was here.
Teaching in the Sunday School, playing the organ to please;
Acting according to Bible rule, not sitting at home at ease.
Teaching 'Stoke' children the story of "Jesus and His love,
Of Jesus and His glory, and unseen things above."
So, though unlike the city grand, the country looked each morn,
She found she could be happy here surrounded by Whitethorn.
But after a visit to Oxford, and winter came on again,
She left once more old Whitethorn Farm, in Ealing to remain.
And there, I trust, for quite a time, both happy and useful she'll be,
Loving both duty and pleasure as all around her may see.
And now I know I must leave her, most
earnestly hoping she may
Please God in His infinite goodness. "Many happy returns of the
day!"