The Henson Journals

[410]

Sexagesima, February 26th, 1905.

The weather was uncomfortable, & hostile to the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is. I celebrated at 8 a.m., when there were but 20 communicants. At Mattins the church was but half full. Among the congregation I noticed Lord Rayleigh, Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Sir Henry Fowler, & Mr Craig. A reporter carried off my sermon.

I went to the Abbey, and heard (imperfectly, because of the coughing) the Bishop of Hereford preach from Micah VI. 6. One of the choirboys was prayed for: the child is very ill with heart-failure.

[411]

O God, grant that the effect I desire to follow from my preaching tonight may be secured in so far as it is according to Thy Will, and that I myself may be reached by my own message. Suffer me not, after having preached to others, to be myself a castaway. Thine is the Word, be Thine also the manner of its preaching. Send Thy Holy Spirit among us tonight, O God, in power & mercy: and make us feel Thy Presence. Apart from Thee we can do nothing. Cleanse my heart, & raise my thoughts: liberate me form the chains of sin, and 'set my feet in a large place'. Grant the comfort & strength of Thy Forgiveness, O Lord, I beseech Thee for Christ's Sake. Amen

[412]

On Friday, March 11th 1905, I received a note from the Speaker asking me to act as Chaplain at his Official dinner held that night, as Archdeacon Wilberforce was ill. So I clothed myself in cassock, gown, and bands; and went across to Speaker's Court. This was the third of the series of Official Dinners, and was given to the Privy Councillors of the House, who were neither Ministers nor ex-Ministers. It was a pleasant enough gathering. I had speech with the following:-

Lord George Hamilton
Sir Michael Hicks Beach
Mr Jas Round
" J. G. Talbot
" J. Parker Smith
Sir John Kennaway
" John Dorington
" F. Milner
Mr Jesse Collings
" Halsey
" Chapman
" John Morley.

Mr Balfour & Mr Alf. Lyttelton arrived as I was departing, and I had a few words with the latter. Mowbray and Victor Cavendish also arrived & exchanged speech with me. I had a little conversation with Sir R. Finlay.

There was a Levée afterwards

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