"Yes, that is a good old practice of the early Church, and I am very glad to know that its revival has been a blessing and a comfort to many by awakening solemn thought and earnest prayer."
Illustration: Window, Church of St. Petronius, Bologna
"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house."
"One sweetly solemn thought Comes to me o'er and o'er,-- I'm nearer home to-day Than I have been before;
"Nearer my Father's House, Where the many mansions be, Nearer the great white Throne, Nearer the jasper sea;
"Nearer the bound of life, Where we lay our burdens down, Nearer leaving the Cross, Nearer gaining the Crown."
"I must just go up for a minute to see poor Matthew. I hear he is not quite so well," said the Vicar, as he parted from his companion, and entered the little door that led up to the old sexton's chamber.
"My dear friend," said the Vicar, taking the old man's trembling hand, "I see you are still very weak; but I trust you are not suffering much?"
"Weak, very, sir; but, thank God, no pain. I feel, however, that the end can't be very far off. You must look out for another sexton, sir, for old Matthew's work is nearly over."
"_His_ will be done," said the Vicar; and the old man breathed a solemn "Amen," which seemed spoken for no earthly ears.
"I've been thinking," at length said Matthew, "that it's ten years since you and I, sir, and Mr. Acres, met at the old lych gate in that terrible storm. I remember I said then that it wouldn't be long before some younger ones would have to carry me through the gate, but God has spared me these ten years more, and now I shall need none to bear me through the gate; for here I am--thanks to your kindness, sir--already within the gate, and even within the House of God itself."
"Yes; and so when God calls you to Himself, He will but take you from one temple to another--from the courts of His House here, to live for ever in His heavenly mansions. 'Those that be planted in the House of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God[206].'"
"If you please, sir, I should like to be buried beside little Lizzie Daniels. 'Tis long ago now since I made that little grave, and I fear the flower-bed is a good deal overgrown with grass, for I have been too poorly to look after it as I used to; but I think you'll know it, sir. She helped in her own quiet, simple way to teach an old man the way to Heaven; and I have never forgotten her lessons. How often she used to talk about this day--Ascension Day! She once said to me, sir, that you had told her we ought to remember this day throughout the year, and to try and lead an _Ascension_ life, and let our thoughts and desires dwell as much as possible where our Saviour has gone before. I have tried to do so--God forgive me, for I have often failed!"