Small Churches In England

1899

There are many churches that attract attention by their size and grandeur. There are a few that are remarkable by reason of their smallness and simplicity. It is believed that the smallest church in England, says a writer in the Quiver, is the midget church at Lullington, in Sussex.

It is a primitive and quaint building of flint, with stone quoins; it has a roof of red tiles, and a tiny weather-boarded turret at its west end. This miniature church is only sixteen feet square. Its pulpit is a pew, with panelled sides and door, and the furniture is of the plainest. Five narrow, diamond-paned windows give light to the interior. When this tiny church is full, thirty people are gathered together, quite as many as the little village can supply.

Only a little larger is the quaint meeting-house at Crawshawbooth, a village near Burnley. It is known as the Friends' Meeting-House, and is covered with ivy and surrounded by a well-cared-for burial-ground. Inside may be seen half a dozen oak benches that could, if necessary, accommodate sixty people. The attendance is rarely more than six. John Bright once walked twelve miles, from Rochdale, to be present at a service in this meeting-house.

Somewhat smaller than this chapel, however, is one that has been called the shrine of Quakerism. It is in the hamlet of Jordans, in Buckinghamshire. Hither in June of every year come Quakers from all parts, for here lie the remains of the great Quaker, William Penn.

If this were not enough to make the place interesting, it has the further attraction of being the neighborhood in which Milton lived after writing "Paradise Lost," a cottage in the vicinity affording him a resting-place. — Youth's Companion.

Child Would Not Offend Deity

1914

Child's Idea of Everyday Politeness Applied to All Cases and Needs

To a normal child all things and people, even those most highly endowed and wonderful, are to be taken simply. To a polite child, for example, the rules of everyday politeness are sufficient for all cases and needs.

A medical missionary recently returned from India tells the story of a sweet little girl, who was much troubled by the prevailing plague of mosquitoes.

"What does God make them for?" she asked.

Told that the Divine purpose in the matter was unknown, but that such purpose undoubtedly existed, the little one pondered silently for some moments. Then:

"Do you suppose I could ask him about it when I go to heaven?" she inquired. "You see, I'd just love to know why we have to have mosquitoes, but I wouldn't want the good Lord to think me rude."


Church in English Woods

Of Great Antiquity, Sacred Edifice in North Devon Proves Big Attraction to Visitors

Culbone church, which among many others claims to be the smallest church in England, is situated on the coast of North Devon, not far from the picturesque little village of Porlock, and the church is so guarded by hills and woods that the sun's rays reach it only four months of the year.

The building is but 33 feet long by 12 feet 8 inches wide, and has a porch, nave, carved oak chancel screen and Norman font, an alabaster altar piece and a quaint high pew near the chancel, used by the family of Lord Lovelace, by whom the property is owned. The slanted chancel is lit by a tiny, square-headed, iron-barred window, the oldest feature in the church, being pre-Norman, and cut out of a single stone. It is amply large for the population, which is about 35 in a parish of 1,337 acres.

In summer the church is crowded, owing to the influx of visitors from many parts of the world.