The Henson Journals

[375]

19th Sunday after Trinity, October 25th, 1908.

I celebrated in S. Margt's at 8 a.m. There were 19 cts. including Carr–Gomm & his wife, whom I do not remember to have seen at Communion before.

The Sub. Dean preached for me at 11 a.m. I went with the Dean of S.Alban's to the Abbey. The said Dean preached an excellent sermon on the words "Study to be quiet.'

At 3 p.m. there was a very large congregation. I preached on 'The Social duty of the Christian man', taking some words from the parable of Dives & Lazarus for my text. This was as near as I felt myself free in conscience to go towards responding to the C.S.U. circular, signed by the Dean & Barnett with others, which had appointed this Sunday to be 'Citizen Sunday', and suggested as the themes for preaching, 'sweating' and 'the living wage'.

At 7 p.m. there was another crowd in the Abbey. I preached on 'Dives & Lazarus.' In the congregation was the Prime Minister. Probably he expected something about the Unemployed: but I have nothing useful to say on that subject: nor do I think the fashion of 'topical' preaching is really serviceable to anybody.

[376]

On Tuesday, the 27th Oct, through a heavy rain I travelled to Nottingham from S. Pancras by the 4.55 express, which arrived punctually to time, at 7.19. Here mine host Mr Thornton met me, & we went to his house going at once to our rooms to dress for dinner. Four persons arrived to dine, all interesting. Mr Russell, a son of Lord Charles Russell, who was Sergeant at Arms, & brother to Lord John; & his daughter: Mr Wilde & his wife. She was a daughter of Severn, the painter, & herself is no mean artist. Mr Russell has great reputation as a raconteur, but he grows deaf: & I did not get much conversation out of him. Later, when the guests had departed, Mr Claude Thornton, the son of mine host, a young clergyman working in a mining parish near to the city arrived.

On Wednesday, the 28th Oct. the weather had greatly improved. After breakfast mine host took me to the Hospital, where the Matron escorted us over several of the wards, & showed us the chapel & the operating room. Then we went to S. Mary's, a splendid church, where the annual service was held. The Mayor & Corporation attended, & the Governing Body of the Hospital, together with a considerable congregation of the townsfolk. I preached from the words, "We must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work". After service I attended the Governours' [sic] meeting in the County Hall, where Lord Manvers moved & Sir Joseph Bright seconded a vote of thanks to me for my sermon.

[377]

Then Sir Charles Seely motored me to Mr Thornton's house, where we lunched. After lunch, mine host motored me to Southwell, about 15 miles distant. Here we visited the Minster, a most noble church with a fine Norman nave, & a Chapter House which is adorned with the loveliest Early English stone–carving in the world. Archbishop Sandys has a fine monument in the northern transept, and Bishop Ridding is commemorated by rather a pretentious monument in the Choir. As service was beginning, we had to content ourselves with a hasty glance. Next to the Minster stands the new palace of the Bishop of Southwell, which has been patched up out of the ruins of an ancient palace of the Archbishops of York. The ancient hall remains intact. The late Bishop Trollope, Suffragan of Lincoln, restored this, & adorned it with paintings of Jeremy Taylor, Bishop Sanderson, Archbishop Wolsey, Cranmer, & Sandys, & some others. We were hospitably entertained at tea by Mrs Hoskyns, the Bishop's wife. Then we motored home in the failing daylight, arriving about 6 p.m.

At 8 p.m. the Church was about half–full. I preached for 35 minutes from the words "Freely ye received: freely give". The sermon was not popular in form or matter, but the congregation, mostly composed of artisans, listened with very close attention. Then back to mine host's, where tea–bibbing recklessly, & so to bed shortly before 11 p.m.

[378]

[Family tree showing descendants of Duke of Bedford: Duke of Bedford, Lord John, created Earl Russell, Lord Charles Russell Sergeant at Arms. Descendants of Charles Russell: Rev. C. Russell, Rt Hon: George R.]

This appears to be the relationship of the redoubtable George R. The talkative old gentleman I met last night is his elder brother. Clearly story–telling runs in that branch of the family. Mine host, Thornton, is the descendant of the Clapham sectary, whose plump countenance adorns the dining room. He has been twice married. 1st to a Miss Grenfell (sister of the General,) by whom he has a family of five sons & several daughters. 2nd to a Miss Walter, who is niece to old Mrs Erskine. He is hardly yet out of the honey–mooning stage. Of the sons, one is a clergyman; another is about to be ordained: a third is a Lieutenant in the Artillery & is now in India: a fourth is in the 'business', which I think is banking: the fifth is (I think) in the Navy. One of the daughters is married to a son of Sir Charles Seely; she is sister to Col. Seely, who holds a minor office in the Govt. There is another of her brothers in the House, who is a Conservative.

[379]

The Yale Lectures

One lecture must discuss the present obligation of the denominational Confessions. The two to be discussed must be the 39 Articles and the Westminster Confessions.

Another lecture will discuss the subject of 'Reserve', in teaching. How far is the Preacher bound to utter his personal beliefs?

The Creeds, also, ought to have a lecture to themselves.

The handling of Scripture in sermons – how far ought critical theories to be introduced.

How far ought social & economical questions to be debated in the pulpit? Casuistry.

What is 'the Gospel' which is preached today?

A preliminary lecture, treating of preaching generally, and outlining the method of the succeeding lectures; and a summing up lecture at the end would be advisable: Thus:–

1. Preliminary
2. Of the denominational subscription.
3. Of the Creeds, & evidences of personal belief.
4. Of the Interpretation of Scripture in Sermons.
5. Of social and economical questions in Sermons.
6. 6. Of the Gospel. 'Of proportion in Teaching'.
7. Of casuistry.
8. Conclusion.

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Issues and controversies: Yale lectures