The Henson Journals

[413]

Sunday after Christmas, December 27th, 1908.

I had caught cold in the Cloisters talking to the Sub–Dean after the Carol Service on Boxing Day. Accordingly I was not equal to getting out for the early service, & sent a message to Knox saying so.

The weather was very cold & there was a sprinkling of snow. At Mattins a very small congregation, but unusually masculine. I preached with difficulty. Offertory under £8.

Jim Dennistoun went off in his motor after service.

At Evensong the congregation was very small, and the Offertory duly expressed the fact, being only about half the normal amount. I preached the sermon which last year was delivered in the Abbey. After service the choir sang four carols. George Rudge came into the vestry: he is becoming very fat, so much so that at first I failed to recognize him. Evidently the feeding at ''Commercial Hotel'' is something more than sufficient.

Waggett, whom I met on my way home, stopped to express his approval of my sermon on ''Judgement'' – presumably that which I preached on December 20th.

[414]

The cold which I contracted in the cloisters after the Carol singing on Boxing Day developed quickly into quite a considerable discomfort, which destroyed all possibility of work for the week. It was aggravated by the vagaries of the weather. A great snow–storm on Monday was followed by bitter cold for two days, and then by a rapid thaw which had removed all traces of snow before the end of the week.

Monday was the date of the greatest earthquake on record. Messina & Regis – two populous cities – were completely destroyed; and the death–roll is estimated to exceed 200,000. An estimate in the 'Westminster Gazette' sets the material damage at £140,000,000. The whole civilized world is offering help: & the efforts at rescue have been splendid. Thus a gilding of heroism is visible on the disastrous cloud. ''What is man, that Thou art mindful of him?''

On New Year's Day, 1909, the Abbey Choirboys came for their annual party. The new Master – Davis – came with them. He is evidently a capable & cheery little man – Gerald, looking more spectral than ever, came with his treasury of toys.

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