Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Morning sunshine, rain, snow and sleet by turns. A very bright afternoon. Miss Sarah Harris and Adeline Lamb called for subscription to British & Foreign Bible Society, I told her I preferred in future to give what I could afford through the church collection. I also wrote to Rev W Fisher, 88 Charlotte Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, in answer to his request to have a Bible Society meeting here on Saturday evening April 6 and a sermon in church on the following morning, that Saturday evening meetings are impossible in a scattered parish like this and that April 7 being a Communion Sunday would be unsuitable for a Bible Society’s sermon. I suggested that he should postpone his visit to Sibford till he could come on a Sunday afternoon not (preferably) the first Sunday in the month. I told him also that we were in a very depressed condition here, from various causes.

I walked round “the Elm” and Sibford Ferris this afternoon. It was exceedingly pleasant overhead but very very muddy, and in front of the Vicarage the road is quite like a quagmire.

Dull and raw, with some wind. Ordered new books for Library, and sent cheque for £3.7.2 to Simpkin, Marshall & Co who sent me pro forma invoice.

Funeral of Miss Gibbs of Banbury, formerly of “The Elm” Sibford Ferris. I read in church all the service except the Prayer of Committal and the Benediction prayer. The wind was so high that it blew my surplice and hood over my head as nearly as it could. Mrs Elley called this afternoon and told me that Mr Stewart, the lecturer on gardening, was lodging at her house. Mr Stewart called on me at 6.20 pm. He was evidently much gratified with the reception he had met with in the place. He said there were 70 present on Tuesday night, about 100 on Wednesday. He said he thought the men more than usually intelligent and added that he would probably be here again in the summer. Very showery afternoon and evening.

Rain nearly all day. Mr Elley brought accounts of Charities and Penny Bank Ledger. Henry Bishop called this evening about the land and cottage. I told him I should require a security for payment of rent not only in my own interest but in that of my successors in the Benefice. It was arranged that he should see me again in a few days.

A good deal of rain afternoon and evening. The congregations were rather small, but somewhat better than they have been.