"When once thy foot enters the church, be bare. God is more there than thou: for thou art there Only by His permission. Then beware And make thyself all reverence and fear. Kneeling ne'er spoilt silk stockings: quit thy state, All equal are within the Church's gate. "Let vain or busy thoughts have there no part: Bring not thy plough, thy plots, thy pleasures thither. Christ purged His temple; so must thou thy heart. All worldly thoughts are but thieves met together To cozen thee. Look to thy actions well; For churches either are our heaven or hell." _George Herbert._ "One place there is--beneath the burial sod, Where all mankind are equalized by death: Another place there is--the Fane of God, Where all are equal who draw living breath." _Thomas Hood._ Illustration: Godmersham Church THE PORCH Mr. Ambrose only remained in the churchyard a few moments after little Lizzie's funeral, just to say some kind words to the bereaved parents and the attendant mourners, and then hastened to comply with the urgent request of a messenger, that he would without delay accompany him to the house of a parishioner living in a distant part of the Parish. It was more than an hour ere the Vicar began to retrace his steps. His nearest way to the village lay through the churchyard, along the path he had lately traversed in earnest conversation with Mr. Acres. He paused a moment at the gate, to listen for the sound of Matthew's spade; but the old man had completed his task, and all was still. He then entered, and turned aside to look at the quiet little grave. A grassy mound now marked the spot, and it was evident that no little care had been bestowed to make it so neat and tidy.