Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Whit Sunday.

William Webb came to visit his parents last night and was at Church this morning in his soldier’s uniform. His father seems very well satisfied with his account of himself.

Attended Choir Practice this evening.

Whit Monday. Divine Service at 9.15.

Rain from 9.30 am all day.

Whit Tuesday. Divine Service at 9.15.

Visited Ainge senior, Thomas Lively, John Horsman.

Administered Holy Communion to Thomas Wilks, his wife and his son Frank.

Mr Ommanney called and saw the pond.

Received letter from Dr Hole telling me of his resignation of Trinity Church, Cape Town and of his having been asked to allow himself to be nominated as Bishop of Natal in succession to Bishop Colenso. Owing to the legal difficulties between the Church of England in South Africa and the South African Church, which is in full communion with the former but declines to accept those decisions of the Courts at home which are binding on the Churchof England, the Archbishop and Bishops have already declined to consecrate to the See of Natal vacant by the death of Dr Colenso. Hole has replied that he will not allow himself to be nominated, but that if the Church Council choose to nominate him and obtain the promise of the Archbishop of Canterbury etc to consecrate him, he will consider it an indication of God’s will that he should accept the charge. I think he has answered wisely. He says they will leave for England in July next.

Attended Board of Guardians at Banbury.

Called on Canon Payne on my way back. he opened the door to me, so he is much better than he was.

He purpose starting on his usual summer yachting cruise next Wednesday.

Visited Mr Oddie, Dr Routh (not in).

Visited School: only 53 present – measles very prevalent in both villages and Friends’ School. Told Mr Elley to give holiday next week and keep school closed the following week if the measles continued prevalent.

Visited Thomas Rimell, Richard Haines, Misses Dix and Mr Woolgrove’s new carter.

Lewis Poulton, the new club secretary spoke to me about arrangements for men and women’s tea on Club day. Mr Ainge offers his field and barns. Dr Routh is managing the matter, as it was his proposition to have the tea etc instead of parading the village, at the Club dinner last year. I had spoken of it several times, but it has not permeated the minds of the members till recently.

I have been inside all the week. Apparently my liver is out of order, as I suffer from pain in the back, especially under the left shoulder blade. I called to consult the Doctor but he was not in.

Mr Gerrahty called this afternoon. I drove him back to Shutford and got caught in a heavy storm of rain on my return.

William Holland’s wife called this evening and asked me to let her have her child’s Penny Bank money which the School