Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Another boy died of Scarlet fever at the Friends’ School today.

Went to Banbury to meet Mr S. by 3.20 train from London. Took Mrs. Elley and Frank. William Wise Wilson our old doctor when we lived in Islington who has ruined himself with drink and whom I have seen him in Banbury almost every time I have been there lately, appeared to recognise me as I was driving through the Market Place. I avoided him. He looked diseased, old, bloated with bottle nose, shabby clothes and walked with a stick.

Very small congregations morning and afternoon.

But being a Club funeral there was a large concourse of people in the Church and church yard when I committed the remains of William Keene to the ground.

I made a short address by the open grave after the service – there was apparently a very excellent feeling – great reverence and much sobbing, even among the men.

Received Bishop’s paper of questions respecting the working of the parish preliminary to the Visitation in April or May. Many of the questions appear to be new. Some of them are manifestly prompted by a desire to know whether and to what extent the attendance of the labouring classes at Church has been affected by the action of the Agricultural Labourers’ Union.

Took Bible Class in School from  9 – 10 this morning.

William Reason of Sibford Ferris died last night, age 68.

Dr. Routh delivered lecture on Astronomy in School which I illustrated with Magic Lantern lent to me by Mr. Hurst of Linden House, Littlemore, Nr. Oxford. The proceeds  17/6 are to be devoted to a fund for purchase of lamps for public meetings in Schoolroom.