William Butterfield

“ It is of the first importance that people should learn to abhor anything which is so awkward, perishable, and dirty as a hassock. They must not, however, forget, as some do, that the human body is so constituted that kneeling on the floor for any length of time is not the alternative. Such kneeling strains the joint between the foot and the leg at the point B B in the accompanying drawing. It is not a natural posture for that joint. To most people there would be the further objection that the floor must be dirty. The knee should be lifted about five inches above the floor in kneeling. ”

“ A kneeling-board can be cleaned oftener than the floor, and while people are learning to use them properly, it is desirable they should be often cleaned. We cannot educate the people in Church habits as long as no two Churches are fitted upon the same principle. ”

“ It can never be cleaned. The poor man, as may be seen in any Church where some unusual effort has not been made, is not provided with this article. If provided in one generation, the thing will wear out, and for him may never be replaced. I am speaking from a long and large observation. The hassock or rug should have ceased to exist, in connection with fixed seats, with our square and other pews. ”

“ Mr. Hoskins condemns kneeling-pads: and hassocks are of course worse. One cannot but feel, therefore, with the Incorporated Church Building Society that kneeling-boards of well-considered proportions are much to be preferred.
P.S.—The rule of the Incorporated Church Building Society as regards the distance between seats is as follows:—
The distance from the back of one seat to that of the next must depend in great measure on the height of the backs. ”

“ For the purposes of floor cleaning, and for other very good reasons, there should be no divisions carried down to the floor beneath the seats. Such divisions harbour dirt, increase a hundredfold the difficulty of washing a floor, and cramp the legs when a person is sitting. ”

“ Butterfield's proportions at a cost of £11. It is, in my opinion, desirable to avoid attempting to improve on a design that has been well considered, and so largely used, and that has given such a widespread practical satisfaction to those who are in earnest about kneeling. ”

“ There must not be any projecting capping on the top of the backs. Facilities for kneeling in all cases to be provided. The width of the seat boards for adults to be not less than thirteen inches. Seats for children must be twenty-six inches in the clear. ”