The Henson Journals

[383]

All Saints Day, 20th Sunday after Trinity, November 1st, 1908.

A dull morning threatening fog. Knox celebrated at 8 a.m. & I assisted. There were 34 comts.

For my text I have taken the words from Heb: XII.2, 'Looking unto Jesus, the Author & Perfector of (our) Faith'. The omission of the pronoun, as in the Greek, suggests the line of my preaching. Christ was on earth as the pattern Believer, the Leader & Consummator of Faith.

Knox told me that the flowers on the Altar were a thank offering from an old flower–selling woman to whom we gave free of charge her birth certificate, when she claimed her pension.

There was a large congregation in S. Margt's at 11 a.m: & on the whole the sermon was well listened to. No less than 133 persons remained to the Holy Communion, at which I myself was the celebrant. A telegram from Frank Smith was brought to me in the vestry before service saying that Mr Dennistoun was 'still unconscious'.

At Evensong the Church was quite full. I preached on I.Cor. I.2, 'called to be saints'. The 'Te Deum' was sung after service. The offertory was nearly £8.

Linetta, Mary, Bob, Gilbert, & Hine–Haycock came in to supper.

[384]

On Monday, a letter from my wife told me that her father still lay unconscious: and this was followed by a telegram announcing his death last night.

The 'Times' contains an announcement of the Abp. of York's resignation. This has been too long deferred.

I travelled to Worcester by the 4.45 from Paddington, & was met by Frank Smith with the motor. We reached Kempsey about 8 p.m. The Vicar, Mr Allen, & his wife were most sympathetic & hospitable. The following morning (Tuesday, Nov. 3rd) we first attended abbreviated Mattins in the parish Church: & then went to Dr Salt's house, where Mr Dennistoun's remains lay. Thither came later the undertaker's men, & when their melancholy duty had been performed, I brought my wife back for a farewell look, & then hastened her away. We caught the 2 p.m. express from Worcester, which reached Paddington about 4.15. The exceptional beauty of the country on both sides of the line impressed us as we travelled. The autumnal tints seen in the bright sunshine had a phantasmal appearance.

The Church at Kempsey has one interesting monument, and one quaint inscription beginning; 'Hereunder ly the corruptible parts of a vicar.' There is a bust of the late Sir Richard Temple under the Tower: & a curious piscina in the Chancel. The sedilia are also notable. There are curious land–tenures in the parish. The Hams–meadows are private for some months in the year, & public for the rest.

[385]

Jim Dennistoun arrived from India on Thursday morning, & was met by Charlie Parker with the tidings of his father's death. He reached Dean's Yard about noon. Later we went all of us to Scotland by the night train; and attended the Funeral in the cemetery at Helensburgh. I left Ella at Artarman, and returned by the night express to Westminster, arriving in Dean's Yard about 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. I baptized Angus Christian Edward Malcolm in S. Margaret's at 12.45. Princess Christian was one of the sponsors: as I passed to my place at the Font, she leaned over, and whispered to me 'I am so sorry for your wife' – which was a very kind thing to do. I caught the 2.35 p.m. from Liverpool Street to Cambridge, where I gave an address to the members of the 'Guild of the Annunciation' at S. Michael's: & then went to Brook House, where I was staying with Inge. At dinner there came the Burkitts, the Stewards, Prof. Reed, & a lady, whose name escaped me. The next day – Nov. 8th, my Birthday – was brilliantly fine, but very cold. We went to King's Chapel for service in the forenoon, & arriving early, walked in the 'Backs' enjoying the most beautiful prospect conceivable. The autumnal tints reflected in the still water, & illumined by the brilliant sun, were filled with melancholy charm.

[386]

There was a large congregation in S. Mary's at 2.15 p.m. Both Inge & Bonney assured me afterwards that the attendance of undergraduates was the largest at that service which they could recollect. My text was taken from the sermon on the Mount, "Cast not that which is holy to the dogs &c." I preached for about 3/4 an hour, and was listened to with the closest attention. Balfour Wilson ran up to me after the sermon to exchange greetings. Burkitt carried me off to see his new house, which is admirably comfortable & well–arranged. There I met his son, a lanky youth about 20 years old, who is said to be delicate in health. Then Inge & his wife came with me to tea with Prof. Bonney.

Thus my Birthday passed in circumstances which brought back vividly to mind the day, 12 years since, when my Father died while I was preaching to the University of Oxford. I am 45 years old, and have done nothing. May I have grace to spend the rest of my days more worthily! "Show Thou me the way that I should walk in for I lift up my heart unto Thee."

On Monday, the 9th Nov:, I left Cambridge by the 8.53 express: & reached Westminster just a few minutes late for the Chapter Meeting: having been much delayed in the City, where the Lord Mayor's Show was preparing, & the crowds were gathering thickly.

[387]

Sundays on which I propose to be absent, and the Preachers pledged to do duty in S. Margaret's on Sunday mornings:–

1.	April	18th	Addis
2.	“	25th	Rev. G. W. Kerr [Barnardo Collection at door]
3.	May	2nd	Professor Inge
4.	“	9th	Professor Inge
5.	“	16th	Pearce
6.	“	23rd	J. Gow
7.	“	30th	Pearce
8.	June	6	J. Gow
9.	“	13	Sub–Dean
10.	“	20	Professor Inge
11.	“	27	Professor Inge
12.	July	4	Dean of Christ Church
13.	“	11	Rev. Basil Bouchier [Garden City collection at doors]
14.	“	18	Sub–Dean
15.	“	25	Sub–Dean

Hine–Haycock responsible for Evenings, May–July.

[388]

On Wednesday, the 11th November 1908, I attended a Drawing Room Meeting at 7, Ennismore Gardens, in aid of Jimmie Adderley's parish. The other speakers were Russell, Gore, and Jimmie himself. Gore arrived an hour late pleading that he had been delayed by the meeting at the national society, where (as Russell had already informed us) he was opposing the Abp. of Canterbury.

At 8 p.m. the Guild met in S. Margaret's. I spoke on the subject of the Holy Communion as the Sacrament of Unity.

S. Matthew. XVIII. 21–22. consult the following:

1.	Bishop Butler	'Upon Forgiveness of Injuries'. Sermon ix.
2.	Jeremy Taylor	'The Worthy Communicant' ch iv. sect iv. 'Forgiveness of Injuries a necessary part of preparation to the Holy Sacrament'. v. Works ed. Heber. Vol. XV. p. 546–579.
3.	Rashdall	'The Theory of Good & Evil': Vol. 1. p. 306–312.
4.	Allen	'S. Matthew'. (Intnl Crit: Com.). p. 199.
5.	Lightfoot	'Philippians'. Essay on 'St Paul of Seneca', 287, 296–7.
6.	Seeley	Ecce Homo. ch. XXII. 'The Laws of Forgiveness'
7.	Trench	Parables. 'The Unmerciful Servant'. 150f

My wife and her brother arrived from Scotland on Friday the 13th Nov:

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