The Henson Journals

[437]

3rd Sunday after Trinity, July 9th, 1905.

A hot, sultry day marked by two violent thunderstorms. I preached twice on the Work of Restoration contemplated at the East End. Papers were circulated in the seats, and after service plates were held at the doors in order to give visitors an opportunity of contributing. In this way more than £16 was collected. My wife was troubled by no less than 3 telegrams of an alarming character as to her mother's health.

A new Choir boy was admitted to the Choir viz. –

• Ernest John Bennett
• aged 12 (born Nov: 19th 1892)
• son of Mr J. Bennett
• 92 Chestnut Gove
• Balham. S.W.

[438]

On Saturday, July 15, 1905, my wife who had been in bed by the doctor's orders most part of the week, found herself worse, and about 2 a.m. on Sunday morning I had to go across to the Westminster Hospital and telephone for doctor & nurse. It was a dolorous rehearsal of the wretched experience of Jany 8th, but unlightened by any hope to compensate for pain & anxiety. Before long I was duly informed that my wife had passed through the futile disaster of "miscarriage", and could now recover at leisure! What a second holocaust of hopes & loves within half a year!

I hastened to catch the 9.30 a.m. train from Waterloo to Brookwood in order to go to Bisley Camp, and preach to the Rifle Association. Lord Cheylesmore & Doyle met me, & everybody was most kind; but I was heart-sick, & thankful to get back to my dreary & darkened house. The congregation at Evensong was greatly swollen by an overflow from the Abbey, where the Archbishop of Canterbury was the Preacher. Offertory = £8.19.9.

[439]

On Monday, Mrs Dennistoun died, and on Tuesday morning I asked Mrs Gow to tell my wife. On Wednesday night I travelled to Helensburgh by the night express in order to attend the funeral, returning on Thursday night. On Saturday, July 22nd 1905, I entertained at tea a party of 23 men from the Oxford House, and after tea, I shewed them the Abbey. In spite of the extreme heat, they appeared to enjoy themselves.

On the 5th Sunday after Trinity, July 23rd 1905, there were heavy downpourings of rain. I celebrated at S. Margaret's, and attended the service at 10 a.m. in the Abbey. After this, I went to S. Margaret's and heard the conclusion of Welldon's sermon. The rain fell heavily just in front of the 3 o' clock Service in the Abbey, and the fact was sufficiently reflected in the congregation, which, though large, was not crowded. I preached an old sermon wearily. At Evensong in S. Margaret's, I preached again. There was a fair congregation.

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Issues and controversies: St. Margaret's restoration; miscarriage