[Illustration: (_Photo: H. J. Unwin, Hailsham._)
A somewhat larger edifice is the very interesting church of Wythburn, in Cumberland, the dimensions of which are--nave (length), thirty-nine feet; height of walls, ten feet; and width, fifteen feet. This was the original church, erected about one hundred and sixty years ago, and is of the simplest description. The roof is constructed of old ships' timber, and the windows are square holes with wooden frames. The chancel is eighteen feet long by fifteen feet by ten feet. The beautiful little east window is by Henry Holiday, and was put in to the memory of the late vicar. What a magnificent site for a church! The poets have thus expressed themselves with regard to this humble but beautifully situated church:--
"We cannot stay--for life is but an Inn, A halfway house--and, lo! the graves how near! Yet mighty minds have hither come for cheer Before the upward path they dared begin. Here Gray the pilgrim rested pale and thin, Here Wilson laughed, and Wordsworth murmured here. Here Coleridge mused, and ere he crossed the mere Hence Arnold viewed the Goal he hoped to win. And we who would Helvellyn's height essay, Or climb towards the gateway of the mound Where Dunmail died because his realm was fair, May join their gracious company who found Earth's beauty made Life's Inn a House of Prayer, And speed, refreshed of soul, upon our way."
[Illustration: _Wythburn Church as compared with St. Paul's Cathedral._
(_Thirteen yards long, five yards wide._)]
"If Wythburn's modest House of Prayer, As lowly as the lowliest dwelling, Had, with its belfry's humble stock, A little pair that hang in air, Been mistress also of a clock (And one, too, not hung in crazy plight), Twelve strokes that clock would have been telling Under the brow of old Helvellyn."
"Humble it is, and meek, and very low, And speaks its purpose by a single bell: But God Himself, and He alone, can know If spiry temples please Him half so well."
We have given two instances of very small churches: let us now refer to a midget chapel. At Crawshawbooth, a village near Burnley, there is an extremely interesting diminutive place of worship known as the Friends' Meeting-House, an old-fashioned building covered with ivy, and environed by a well-cared-for burial ground. It contains half a dozen oak benches, on which the worshippers sit. Though these benches are sufficient to provide seating accommodation for about sixty, the attendance is rarely more than six. John Bright once worshipped here, walking from Rochdale, a distance of twelve miles. This quaint little place is naturally regarded with much interest by visitors.