Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

A delightful day, more like June than November. Drove Bell and Rosa to Banbury. The latter went to the Dentist. Attended the BCS meeting. It was to have been held at Christ Church Vicarage but the number of guests expected was too great to be comfortably accommodated there, so we had our meeting and luncheon in the Broad Street school-room. Mrs Graham Jones and a ladyfriend of hers were present at luncheon. The meeting consisted of 1 Graham Jones, 2 Doctor Wood, 3 ETS, 4 A D Mozley, 5 Riddle, 6 Mountain, 7 Goldingham, 8 Curate of Little Tew, 9 Whitehead 10 Elton II Jordan, 12 Highton, 13 Humphrey.

As we have finished Clement’s Epistle to the Corinthians and it had been proposed at last meeting that we should read the “Didache” alternately, with the New Testament, I proposed that we should go on with 2 Timothy next time and leave the question of the Didache for the present. It was carried unanimously. Graham Jones read a paper on Church Choirs and music. I left at 4.30. Bell and Rosa were awaiting me and we left Banbury for home at about 4.30. I gave the Rector of Tadmarton xxi shillings for his church as a “thank offering” from one who did not wish his name to be made known. He said it would extinguish the debt, and was very thankful for it.

Dull. Received a letter from Messrs Miller and Abbotts and agents saying that on allotment rent night in October last a resolution was passed by the tenants to the following effect “Proposed by Mr Henry Bishop, seconded by Mr Lively, that Messrs Miller and Abbotts be requested to communicate with the Trustees as to a reduction in rent of the allotments and that the rents be reduced as and from Michaelmas 1894 at the rate of 5/- per acre. A proposition by Mr Henry Harris that no rents should be paid in advance did not receive a seconder.”

I replied that I would lay their letter before the Trustees at their next meeting and added that the Trustees now received, after payment of costs and expenses etc only 15/- per acre per annum.

A man who gave the name of Buckley called whilst I was at dinner and asked for the use of the School-room for a public performance of some kind or other. I declined but told him he might write and I would consult the Trustees as far as possible and give him a reply. He wanted me to read a bundle of testimonials which he pulled out of his pocket and looked very fierce and indignant when I told him I had no time to spare then, being engaged. I showed him out.