Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

1881, December 3, Saturday 

Beautiful morning. Called on Rev F. A. Wilson at his rooms over Shrimpton’s in the Broad. Met Mr Herbert Jackson MA who informed me in an excited manner that he was going to get his brother 7 years penal servitude for making away with money belonging to him and which had been left him by his father, a retired medical man who died suddenly in Oxford. Whilst we were residing there I endeavoured to calm his ruffled spirits, and told him that whatever his brother may have done he would never be able to reflect on his own conduct with any degree of satisfaction if he were the means of giving him “7 years penal servitude.” He alluded to the duty he owed to his country to bring “scoundrels to justice” etc – at which I laughed and told him I was sure he would think better of it by and by, as it was only a spirit of revenge that prompted him – for it would not restore the lost money.

Harry had an invitation to Mr Kitchen’s for this evening and consequently did not return home with me.

I took luncheon with Hughes and left Oxford by the 2.40 pm train.

1881, December 4, Sunday

Frosty. Visited Tay. taught in Girls Sunday School. Gave notice of Confirmation to be held at Swalcliffe Church on March 17th next. Published the banns of marriage of Mary Jane Barnes daughter of Thomas and Sarah Barnes of Sibford Gower – with a young man in service as a groom in Warwickshire.

Preached Sermons for the Diocesan Church Building Society.

On December 2 I paid for the “Times” for 7 months to be sent daily from the “Union” at a shilling a week including postage.

1881, December 5, Monday 

William Harris Senior of Sibford Ferris called and paid me part of his allotment rent due.

Visited Tay. Spoke to his wife about Holy Communion. She said she had been confirmed and I expressed some surprise that I had never seen her at the “Lord’s Table”. She said she would tell me why it was – “Because I told Miss Cook that she, Mrs Tay, was a very wicked woman.” She said Miss Cook treated her very badly, and said I would not “give” the post office to Mrs Tay because she was such a wicked woman”. I said it was too late to rake up old grievances and enquire into what had been said by Miss Cook 5 or 6 years ago – and asked her why she did not come to me and ask me whether I said such a thing or not. I think I made her feel very much ashamed of her self for having or assigning such a reason for neglecting her religious duties and privileges.

Went to Banbury and brought out some ice for Tay. Harry came home. There was an almost total eclipse of the moon this evening for which I was quite unprepared, and which we saw as we were coming from Banbury.

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Read about the Rev Edward Stevens here.