Haile Church, Cumberland

Haile Parish Church in Cumberland is one of those long, low structures for which the county is well known. Eighteenth-century with some older relics lying around, it had a nice, plain interior, and a wonderful arrangement of wooden roof beams. Despite some curious wall memorials, it was the pulpit, below, which most attracted my attention. Possessing its own, raised platform, it consisted of just a couple of carved screens, merely concealing the preacher’s legs from those sitting immediately in front of him. I have seen some imposing and tremendous pulpits in my travels, but Haile’s, while better than some scruffy music stand, is one of the simplest.

I sometimes wonder if preachers hide behind pulpits and clergy behind their status. Remove the décor and furnishings, cut away the vestments and qualifications, and he is a sinner in need of God’s grace like all others. On that day when we stand before Christ to give account, there will be nothing to hide behind save His shed blood: hypocrites will be exposed, serpents revealed, tares dug out. Reverend This, Father That and Pastor So-and-so are sinners like the rest; unless they be born again, they, too, shall die in their trespasses.

And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

- John 8:23-24

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