Athirst in Scarborough

On the front at Scarborough is a marble drinking fountain, with the words of Proverbs 25:25 inscribed thereon. Although they appear to be a paraphrase, the AV renders them thus:

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

I dare say the fountain’s original builder or patron intended it to provide thirsty folk with free liquid refreshment. Today, it is a pleasant looking flower bed. It looks alright, but if I were truly athirst, I’d find no relief among those primula. So many chapels and churches are likewise. They were built to share the water of life, but now they are just pretty architectural flourishes offering platitudes and social life, but little spiritual relief. There, but for the grace of God, become we.