The Henson Journals

[423]

3rd Sunday after the Epiphany, January 24th, 1909.

I celebrated at 8 a.m. in H.C. Only a dozen comts including clergy. The weather was quite bitterly cold.

At Mattins the congregation was by no means large: but it was unusually attentive. I preached an old sermon on the "name, 'Christian'". It was probably new to most part of my hearers, as it was originally delivered at Evensong in 1906. Mr Gabrielson, the inquiring Swede, attended service, & then came to lunch. He has been hearing many conflicting accounts of the C. of England. Father Stanton had been enlightening him yesterday. Anthony & Philip Browne came to lunch also.

At Evensong the congregation was disappointing. I preached another old sermon (which was quite over the heads of the people) on S. Paul's Conversion. The organ broke down, so the whole service was either accompanied by the harmonium, or unaccompanied. Linetta, Mary, Bob, Gilbert, Harold, & Merton were at supper. Merton brought his camera, and explained to me its working. I propose to arm myself with the machine before embarking for America. Before the party broke up, I read Faber's 'Old Labourer' & some other of his less mawkish poems.

The Offertories throughout the day slightly exceeded the modest sum of £16.

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