All Saints’ Church, Bolton, Cumbria

All Saints’ Church in Bolton, Cumbria is a delightful little place, even warranting an earlier post (Knights of Bolton Church) about some carved knights. Despite its age and the roundness of its arches (indicating a twelfth-century construction) it is airy and light within, clean and well cared for. The ‘altar’ was uncluttered, upon it a simple, a stained-glass cross casting its hues with the aid of the east window. 

For all its beauty and medieval features, it was a little, dark wooden box which caught my eye:

POVR MANS BOX

-dated 1634. A modern note was affixed to it, explaining that it was emptied daily, perhaps offering warning to any potential thief that the contents have not been allowed to build up, and that someone will be coming to check it that day. It also reminded me that good intentions should not be allowed to amass while their potential recipients are in want. Perhaps you can only give to others when your body lies buried and your house is sold. Otherwise, help people now, and do not wait. Bless them today, and do not tarry till tomorrow. Spend your kindness here, and not in the future when others take it from you anyway.

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26