Transcribed from the 1894 Hodder and Stoughton edition byDavid Price, .
BY
JOHN STOUGHTON, D.D
AUTHOR OF“ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF ENGLAND,” “STARS OFTHE EAST,”
ETC., ETC.
London
HODDER AND STOUGHTON
27, PATERNOSTER ROW
MDCCCXCIV
Printed by Hazell, Watson, &Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury.
p. vTHIS VOLUME OFRECOLLECTIONS
IS DEDICATED
TO MY LIFE-LONG FRIEND
THE REV. JOSHUA CLARKSON HARRISON,
WHOSE WISDOM HAS AIDED ME INPERPLEXITY,
WHOSE SYMPATHY HAS CHEERED MYSORROWS
AND ENHANCED MY JOYS,
AND WHOSE CONSTANT FRIENDSHIP HASBEEN
THE PRIVILEGE OF MY FAMILY
AS WELL AS MYSELF.
J. S.
More than forty years ago I editedthe autobiography of the Rev. W. Walford. This book, whichfully answers to its name, is a remarkable production, enteringinto the secrets of the author’s soul, unveiling thestruggles and sorrows of a mysterious experience.
The work now published is of a very different kind. Itreally relates to others more than to myself, and brings withinview some incidents of religious history and aspects of personalcharacter more interesting than any confined to my ownexperience. It presents associations during a long periodspent in various work, in distant journeys, and in friendlyintercourse with many distinguished persons.
p. viiiIenter into no theological discussion, or any relation ofspiritual conflicts, the results of such introspection, as theautobiography of my departed friend describes. I only giverecollections of what I have seen and heard, especially inrelation to those whom it has been my privilege to regard as moreor less intimate friends.
It was just after retirement from Kensington that I began togather up the following reminiscences, with a permission that myfamily might publish them after my decease. They were thenput aside, and not looked at for years.
Within the last few months it has struck me that so manylikely to feel an interest in my Recollections have passed away,and others are so far advanced in life, that if the publicationbe longer delayed, few indeed will be left likely to feel anyinterest in my narrative.
Conscious of failures in memory at my advanced age, I haveavailed myself of memoranda made when travelling, long before anybook of this kind was contemplated.
p. ixI havebeen greatly helped in this volume by my dear daughter, with whomI reside, who has frequently accompanied me in my travels, andbeen my valued secretary at home. Without her aid I couldnot have brought these Recollections through the press.
Tunbridge Wells,
January,1894.