The Henson Journals

[330]

Trinity Sunday, June 14th, 1908.

Twenty one years since my Ordination at Cuddesdon on June 5th 1887. It is a melancholy retrospect of fault and failure, & what do I take from it today but Matt. Arnold's bitter summary of disillusionment – 'the sick fatigue, the languid doubt, Which much to have tried, in much baffled brings'? Spiritually what is the aspect of these years of ministry? To me at least it is a very Baruch roll unfolded before my memory. ''Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut not thine Ears to our prayer''.

I celebrated in S. Margts at 8 a.m.: there were 25 comts, including my guest, Harold, Mary, & Signorina.

At Matins there was a very large congregation, obviously composed in no slight measure of Pan–Anglican delegates. I preached on Isaiah's Vision, but with much difficulty from hoarseness. The speech yesterday was a mistake.

Willie Murray was in church, and came in to lunch. At Evensong the Nave of the Abbey was crowded, the Dean, Sub–Dean, & Beeching were present. I preached for 50 minutes on 'Anglicanism & Reunion', and 'liberated my soul' on the subject of 'the Historic Episcopate'.

[331] [symbol]

The Pan–Anglican Congress began its sessions with an Intercession Service in the Abbey. There was an ill–attended 'over–flow' service in S. Margaret's at the same time.

On Wednesday morning I read a short & mild paper on ''Essentials & Non–essentials''.

We entertained the lay delegate of the diocese of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Mr Justice Hannington. Also the Bishop of North Dakota, and Mrs Mann.

Thursday's ''Times'' contained a long letter from Turner, signed ''C. H. T.'', & headed ''Canon Henson & Episcopacy'', which impugned my statements as to the verdicts of historical students as to the origin of the Episcopate. I replied in a short letter, which appeared on Friday.

Very unfortunately I contracted a chill on Wednesday which placed me hors de combat for all effective purposes.

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