Show chained to altar tho the village church ot of parham su folk england possesses an ancient which Is distinctly unusual both as to shape and position though nothing la is known of 0 its date or history it Is easy to surmise that this quaint keg shaped box with its clumsy sy lock and rough but effective protecting bands may have been the result ot of the joint efforts of the local carpenter and blacksmith most alms boxes are found in the porch or somewhere here near the entrance to the church but this Is chained to the altar rails possibly its uso use may have been restricted strict ed to receiving the offerings ot of the communicants and the fees at church ings and other ceremonies or as the iron ring in the lid seems to show it may have been carried about as occasion required und and chained to the altar rails for greater security when not in use the connoisseur |