Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

1885, February 17, Tuesday 

Visited School this morning. Held Girls’ Confirmation Class in Vestry this afternoon.

Spoke to Ann West (age 50) about confirmation. She seems as though she would like to be confirmed but is somewhat shy, as she cannot read. She is I think a good sort of woman, and says she knows the substance of the Catechism though she could not repeat it.

Mrs Elijah Hancox and her daughter Mrs George Harris came to me at the Vicarage. She told me that Miss Capper, quakeress, told her the Sacraments were “Rubbish”. Miss C. thinks she is doing Christian work! She seems to be endeavouring to get the people away from Church teaching, and apparently does not mind whether they go to the Methodist Chapel or Quakers’ Meeting or absent themselves from Divine Service altogether so that they do not come to Church. She told the Goughs at Sibford Ferris that “Baptism” was all nonsense and that if they got the child’s name put down in the Registrar’s book that was all that was necessary.

1885, February 18, Wednesday 

Ash Wednesday. Divine Service at 9.15 consisting of Litany and Communication. Service with sermon at 7 pm.

David Hone’s wife and Sara Nicholls, daughter of Edward Scruby came to Vestry to say that they desired to be confirmed.

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Read about the Rev Edward Stevens here.