The Henson Journals

[403]

19th Sunday after Trinity, October 21st, 1900.

I celebrated at 8 a.m. There were 24 communicants. The congregation at 11 a.m. was greater, & that at 7 p.m. was less than usual. Only 17 men attended my Bible Class. Bob Bayliss lunched with me, & I admitted him to be a Chancellor. Harry Walgrave came to tea & stayed to Church service. I gave him a copy of "Light & Leaven".

Dick Rosser came to supper.

Offertories:–

at	8	a.m.	"	8	"
"	11	"	2	"
"	7	p.m.	1.	19.	4
			£4.	7.	4

On Monday, the 22nd Oct: I went to Chigwell, & dined with the Seven, staying the night at the School. On Tuesday, I went to Oxford & stayed there until Friday evening. On Thursday I dined with White at Merton. On Saturday I wrote a sermon.

[404]

On Tuesday the 30th October, I travelled to Colchester in company with Shadwell. We picked up Lord Wm Cecil on the way to the Corn Exchange, where we arrived just in time to hear the concluding sentences of the Bishop's opening speech. We went out to lunch at General Gatacre's. Thereafter returning to the Conference we found ourselves too late for the discussion about Missions, which had unaccountably collapsed. I made a rather foolish speech about subdivision of parishes, & was rent by the Bp. of Colchester with astonishing acerbity . I stayed at Scarletts, where also Nairne & Burrell were entertained. The next day Andrew Johnston introduced the Temperance question in a characteristic speech, & was followed by Arthur Shadwell in an admirable paper. I followed him with a speech which was inordinately unwise. On my return to Ilford, I found that a letter from Lord Salisbury had just been forwarded to Oxford. I received it in the course of the following day (Nov: 1st). It was an offer of the vacant Westminster Canonry. I showed it to the Warden, Sub Warden, Doyle, Harrison, & Davis under pledge of secrecy. Then I wrote & accepted the offer. The excitement of this sudden change in my fortunes prostrated me, & I spent All Souls Day most miserably in bed & on my sofa under the Dual Control of Edwards & the Doctor. I so far revived as to take part in the election of Steel & McDoughal to fellowship on the 3rd Nov.

[405]

Copy of Lord Salisbury's letter

Foreign Office

Oct. 30, 1900.

Dear Mr Henson,

Her Majesty allows me to ask you whether you will accept the Canonry at Westminster Abbey, which is vacant by the transference of Canon Robinson to the Stall which was occupied by Canon Furse. I should be very glad if you saw your way to the acceptance of this appointment as it will give you a wider and more influential audience as a preacher.

Believe me

Yours very Truly

Salisbury

All Souls College Nov. 1, 1900

My Lord,

I have the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's letter of October 30th conveying Her Majesty's gracious proposal that I should accept the vacant Canonry at Westminster Abbey. After careful consideration I conceive it to be my duty to do so, & in announcing that decision to your Lordship I desire to add my sincere thanks for you Lordship's kindness.

I have the honour etc.

H. H. H.

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Issues and controversies: appointment to Westminster