Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 242, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 October 1914 — Almsbox Chained to Altar. [ARTICLE]

Almsbox Chained to Altar.

The village church of Parham, Suffolk, England, possesses an ancient almsrbox which is distinctly unusual both as to shape and position. Though nothing is known of its date or history, it is easy to surmise that this quaint kegßhaped box, with its clumsy lock and rough but effective protecting bands, may have been the result of the joint efforts of the local Carpenter and blacksmith. Most almsboxes are found in the porch dr somewhere near the entrance to the church, but this is chained to the altar rails. Possibly its use may have been restricted to receiving the offerings of the comnfonicants and the fees at churchings and other ceremonies, or, as the iron ring in the lid seems to show, it may have been carried about as occasion required, and chained to the altar rails for greater Security when not in use. —The Connoisseur.