EARLY CLERICAL LIFE 29 



A village library and clothing club were established. 

 These, with many other changes and improvements 

 of various kinds, were accomplished in the space of 

 a year and a quarter. 



For nearly two years the vicar had the advantage 

 of the valuable gratuitous assistance of a curate, 

 the Rev. Alexander Joseph, an excellent clergy- 

 man, and deservedly respected. The two worked 

 together most amicably, and wrought still further 

 changes. A third service was now established in 

 the village of Wansford ; this was held in the 

 new schoolroom there. These services were much 

 appreciated by the inhabitants. 



As may be supposed, changes so numerous and 

 so rapidly effected gave alarm, not to say offence, 

 to some of the parishioners, and a party arose in 

 violent opposition to the vicar. At one time the 

 indignation of the malcontents rose to a high pitch, 

 and found vent in various ways which did not re- 

 dound to the credit of the prime instigators ; but 

 happily Mr. Morris remained long enough at Naffer- 

 ton to live down much of this ill-feeling, and when 

 he and his family left the place there were many, 

 not to say general regrets. 



While at Nafferton he saw a good deal of some 

 of the neighbouring clergy. Almost the next parish 

 was Burton Agnes, of which place Archdeacon 

 Wilberforce was at that time rector. He was the 

 friendliest of neighbours, and my father was a fre- 

 quent visitor there. On the occasions of parochial 

 meetings, school - feasts, and social gatherings at 



