Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

xvii Trinity. Fine and dry but cold. Bell and I visited Mr and Mrs Ainge after Church this afternoon. Mrs Marshall was at church this morning for the first time since her illness.

The Evangelists’ Tent is still here. There are two Evangelists with it, I believe and I am told they both lodge at Hillman’s, opposite the Vicarage. I heard one of them singing and another preaching this evening when I was near Mrs Enock’s. They seemed well qualified but had not, apparently more than 30 or 40 in their tent. My congregations were good.

Dull and cold, but no rain. Drove Bell, Rosa and Frank to Bloxham to tea with Mrs Kershaw, by invitation. Miss Heskett, a friend of hers, was staying with her. We did not get back till ten o’clock, having delayed longer than we should otherwise have done owing to the darkness of the earlier part of the evening.

Meeting of Banbury Clerical Society at Wigginton. I drove through Temple Mill and Hook Norton taking Hyde to open the gates, but he went back unexpectedly leaving me to manage the last by myself. Fortunately I found a large stone with which I was able to prop the gate open whilst I took my horse through. Mr Warren read an excellent paper, on the so-called “Higher Criticism”. We read and discussed 1 Timothy vi, 3-10. Mozley kindly and readily promised to preach a Harvest Festival Sermon for me on the evening of Sunday October 7th. Canon Wood told me that the living of Chacombe including Advowson and next presentation (Mr Ayton the Vicar has just retired at the age of 78) for £300 at Auction mart. The purchaser has just come in as Rector. There is a good house. He did not say that Mr Ayton was the former patron.

There was a large meeting at Wigginton, 17 or 18 present. Mrs John Shelswell called this evening.

Drove to Banbury with Frank, who left by 12.24 train for B Thorneywill Esq, Tutbury, Burton-on-Trent, where he is to help in some Amateur Theatricals tomorrow. He purposes to return on Saturday. It was fine, mild and dry, but rather cloudy. Mrs Kershaw and Miss Heskett came to tea.

Gave Elizabeth Manning Certificate of Marriage of Edward Dyke and Annie Brooks Lively which took place Oct.7.1891 at Sibford. She brought me a postal order for 2/6. I told her they should have sent 3/7 but they might send the balance at another time.

Received invitation for Bell and myself to visit my cousin William Green, Highlands Sarisbury Southampton. He says Maude is not yet home.

Dull and a little rain. Visited Miss and S Dix this evening. Bessie Thame was there. Mr Thomas, farmer of Brailes, called this evening and asked me to publish Banns of Marriage between himself and Miss Cluff on Sunday next. They have fixed Oct 16 for the wedding.

I visited Florence Manning, Mrs Holtom of Sibford Heath was there.