The Henson Journals

[451]

18th Sunday after Trinity, October 22nd, 1905.

A bright autumn morning with a white frost on the ground and its bite, the first kiss of winter, in the air.

I celebrated at 8 a.m.: there were 25 Communicants.

There was a very large congregation at Mattins, among the rest I noticed the Duke and Duchess of Buccleugh.

It was plain enough that there was an expectation that I should make references to Irving and to Nelson: but this, on particular grounds of principle and of policy, I would not do. Accordingly I preached on the words, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty". The collection was disappointing, something over £13.0.0.

Bob Bineham came to tea. As a Birthday present I gave him Fletcher's fascinating History of England.

As the 109th Psalm came into the Psalms for the day at Evensong, I seized the opportunity of preaching plainly on the "Imprecatory Psalms in Christian Worship", combining in my text some of the Imprecations with S. Matt. V. 43-46. There was a large & attentive congregation. The collection amounted to £6.16.5.

Lake, the usher of the Abbey Choir School came to supper.

[452]

On Saturday, October 28th 1905, I travelled to Aberdeen, leaving King's Cross at 10 a.m. and arriving in Aberdeen at 10.5 p.m. General Booth was on the train, &, accordingly, crowds of devotees attended at the stations. At Edinburgh my wife kindly way-laid the train & exchanged greetings.

On the next day, Sunday 29th, I preached in the University chapel to a congregation which crowded it, & over-flowed into the Ante-chapel. It was a picturesque scene. The Arts-students of both sexes wear brilliant scarlet gowns. The professors, with the Rector in the centre, occupy a semi-circle of seats behind the Holy Table. The service was of the now-customary Presbyterian type – semi-liturgical. I wore my black-silk gown & bands. I preached on ‘Didactic Reserve' & my sermon occupied about 40 minutes in delivery.

In the afternoon I delivered the Murtle Lecture in the Hall of Marischal College. There were more than 1000 people present: indeed the Hall was filled from end to end, & it is said at the utmost to seat 1200. My lecture on "Christianity in Politics" took an hour and ten minutes to deliver. Everybody seemed immensely well-pleased, & all were very kind. At dinner afterwards I met Profs Nichol (Pastoral & Exegetic), Baillie (Moral Philosophy), Davidson (Logic), Cowan (Eccl. Hist.), Curtis (Theology).

[453]

The next day – Monday. Oct. 30th – I found time before leaving Aberdeen to visit again the Chapel, & look at the 15th century stalls, the 16th century pulpit, & the tomb of Bishop Elphinstone. Also I was shewn the library – a very fine room.

The train left Aberdeen at 10.20 a.m. and arrived at King's Cross at 10.45 p.m. At Edinburgh I saw Ella for a few minutes. Mr Balfour was on board, a fact which I discovered in the dining car. He recognized me at once, & we had some very interesting conversation.

On all Saints Day, Nov. 1st 1905, I celebrated in the Abbey after Mattins; in the afternoon I left a letter at the 'Times Office' on 'Religious Education'; and then went to the Mansion House, & spoke at a very small meeting in support of a project for buying 40 acres near Ilford as a cricket – ground. Col. Lockwood, fresh from the glory of entertaining the King at Epping, was there, & gave me a lift homewards in his brougham.

On Thursday. Nov. 2nd, I took Lord Litchfield, aged 12, with Maclagan his tutor to the roofs of the Abbey. He is a simple & well-mannered boy, not brilliant.

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