The Henson Journals
Fri 24 May 1907
Volume 16, Pages 214 to 215
[214]
Friday, May 24th, 1907.
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At the Moderator's breakfast I was taken in charge of by Lady Frances Balfour, and we talked politics with great activity & ardour. I was introduced to Dr Ross Taylor, who was the U.P. magnate responsible for the creation of the U.F. Church. Also I had a few words with Dr Cooper, the leader of Presbyterian 'Ritualism'.
As the rain had, for a brief space, ceased, I walked down to Holyrood, & renewed my memory of the Canongate. Then to the Assembly, where the morning was in great part wasted by the Colonial Delegates, who made speeches of inordinate length & indifferent quality. One man – the minister of the Presbyterian Church in Kingston, Jamaica – was really intolerable. Then the work of the day began when Dr Scott moved an Overture on Re–union & Co–operation. This was seconded in an admirable speech by Dr Norman Macleod. Professor Cooper moved an alternative overture, which was seconded by Mr Wallace. About 2 p.m. I was carried off to lunch by a queer old divine – Dr Sprott – who appears to be a recognized pundit in the ecclesl history of the country. On returning to the Assembly I found the debate still in progress. Excellent speeches were made by Dr Marshall Lang, & Lord Balfour of Burleigh.
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The most brilliant & effective speech was made by Professor Paterson in answer to Prof. Cooper. An interesting circumstance was the presence of Bishop Campbell of Glasgow, who came in shortly before Patterson [sic] began, & listened to some plain speaking on the question of Episcopacy. Some of the younger men made unpleasing speeches: & generally the younger men appear to be distinctly inferior to their seniors. When the vote was taken an immense majority voted for Dr Scott: a mere handfull [sic] supporting Prof. Cooper. The debate was carried on at a high level, and was marked by much good speaking.
Miss Jean Bruce was in her place for the earlier part of the debate: & we exchanged a few words. I pledged her to renew acquaintance in town. It is long since I met a girl who seemed so eminently worth knowing. She has the gravity of a Covenanter underlying the sweetness of a fair woman: her conversation is intelligent & her manner amiable & frank. Her father, Lord Balfour of B. may well be proud of her. I told him how greatly I appreciated & enjoyed her company.