Burnsall Church

St Wilfrid’s church in the Dales village of Burnsall is a treasure trove of antiquity. As well as containing a number of ancient crosses about which I have already written, it boasts a Saxon font, Norse hogback tombs, medieval carvings and a general feel of history and heritage. From without, it appears to be in the form of three steps, from the tower descending to the nave which descends again to the chancel. Although these ceiling drops can barely be perceived from within, inspecting it from without is quite remarkable. The closer one draws to to the chancel whereat the communion table is found, the smaller the space and the lower down one becomes.

I fancied this to be an apt parable of the Christian life. The self-righteous hypocrite and the shameless sinner both stand tall, unwilling to stoop or yield to Christ. The closer to Him they draw, however, and the smaller each becomes. As they decrease and He increases, they enlarge again, but this time with holiness and purity, not arrogance and pride.

O the bitter shame and sorrow,

That a time could ever be

When I let the Saviour’s pity

Plead in vain, and proudly answered:

All of self, and none of Thee!

Yet He found me; I beheld Him

Bleeding on the accursed tree,

Heard Him pray, Forgive them, Father!

And my wistful heart said faintly,

Some of self, and some of Thee!

Day by day His tender mercy,

Healing, helping, full and free,

Sweet and strong, and, ah! so patient,

Brought me lower, while I whispered:

Less of self, and more of Thee!

Higher than the highest heaven,

Deeper than the deepest sea,

Lord, Thy love at last hath conquered;

Grant me now my supplication,–

None of self and all of Thee!

-Theodore Monod, 1872