The Henson Journals

[409]

Septuagesima, February 19th, 1905.

A most beautiful morning of the transitional type, uniting the bite of winter with the light of spring. I celebrated at 8 a.m.: there were 41 communicants. At Mattins there was a large congregation, in which I recognized Lord & Lady Rayleigh, Victor Cavendish, Sir W. Foster, Sir H. Graham, & F. Pember. The organ - after emitting the most frightful sounds - broke down, & could not be used for the rest of the day. I preached an old sermon on "Love & Knowledge", delivered originally in the Abbey 3 years ago. Harold & I went for a short constitutional, & then I wrote the conclusion of a sermon on Genesis I. 1, which I delivered at Evensong wearily & amid much disturbance from coughing - For the weather deteriorated as the day drew on to evening, becoming cold & wet, so that such coughing-potentialities as existed among the people emerged in clamour. The offertories for the day exceeded £22. I typed a letter to my wife.

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