The Henson Journals
Wed 14 November 1900
Volume 14, Pages 412 to 413
[412]
Wednesday, November 14th, 1900.
My sister's birthday. I gave her the "Two–version" Bible as a present. A bad head–ache pressed on me all day: and I was worried (absurdly enough) by the delay in the formal announcement of my promotion. In the afternoon my sister & I walked to Barking, & called on Laws & Garstang. As we passed the Vicarage I noticed a board in the little meadow before the house, "Trespassers will be prosecuted". Laws says the Beckton men comment on it bitterly. "It used to be open house to us all when the little vicar was here: now it is 'Right about turn, & out with you". It is certainly an amazing piece of gaucherie to put up such a notice in such a parish.
We met Kirshbaum, & he seemed eager to come to Westminster without delay. From the "Saturday Review" I received £6.9.6 for matter contributed during Septr.
I wrote to the Editor finally resigning from the Staff. Very affectionate congratulations from Marsden & Swallow arrived. Alfred had made no delay in proclaiming the news.
[413]
O Eternal & Merciful God, I come to Thee in this time of need. Thou knowest all my weakness and my sin: & yet Thou callest me to do this great thing. Enable what thou dost command. Have compassion on my weakness, & forgive me all my sin. Grant to me the guidance & comfort of Thy Holy Spirit that I may discern rightly Thy purpose, and answer obediently thereto. Show Thou me the way that I should walk in, for I lift up my soul unto Thee. Look with pity on Thy children in this place, whose teacher, tho' unworthy, I have been. Suffer not my departure to unsettle their minds, but in Thy Providence send here a true shepherd of souls to pasture Thy flock. Especially bless, I pray Thee, the members of the Guild, the Church Officers, & Choirmen, that the spirit of faction find no entrance among them. Overrule all the changes & chances of this world for the benefit of souls, & the setting forward among men of Thy Righteous Kingdom, and grant us all to hold firmly to Thy Truth whatever betide us. Bless us now, O Eternal Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our most holy Redeemer.
Amen.