The Henson Journals

[421]

Easter Day, April 23rd, 1905.

A brilliant day tailing off disappointingly towards nightfall. The total number of communicants numbered 395 viz: at 7 a.m. 49: at 8 a.m. 135: at 11 a.m., 208. This is an increase of 8 over last Easter: and of 13 over the Easter before that. The congregation at the Choral Celebration was very large, and evidently composed of sight-seers in great part. I had to intervene in order to arrest the stampede after the hymn, while the collection was yet proceeding. The offertories were un-wontedly small all day. I preached twice; both sermons were of an apologetic but mildly heretical character: a circumstance fairly balanced by an outburst of orthodoxy from 'the Holy Sheep' at S. Paul's.

[422]

An interesting and detailed account of life in Westminster School during the years 1830 to 1839 will be found in vol: 1. of Half a Life by George Webbe Dasent, D.C.L. Author of "Annals of an Eventful Life", "Three to one" etc. etc. in three volumes. London: Chapman & Hall, 193, Piccadilly, 1874[.]

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