The Henson Journals

Sun 14 February 1909 to Fri 19 February 1909

Volume 16, Pages 427 to 428

[427]

Sexagesima, February 14th, 1909.

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A bitterly cold day. Just a dozen comts at 8 a.m., including the clergy.

The congregation at Mattins was but small. It included the Bp. of Winchester, the Lord Advocate, Lord St Aldwyn, Sir Henry Craik, & Mr Charles Parker. The approach of the Parltary session is indicated by such. I preached on the "Fall of Man" – attempting to give a permanent value to the Hebrew myth.

At Evensong I preached on S. Paul's glorying in his weaknesses. There was but a moderate congregation.

On Monday, the 15th 1909, I attended the Reception at the Admiralty accompanied by my wife & Miss Baddeley. It amused me to observe that my little letter in the Spectator had evidently been taken to heart. Birrell avoided me conspicuously, Asquith was distinctly cold. I was twice reminded of my words. I told Burns that I thought his course patriotic.

On Tuesday, I went to the 'Mikado' with Harold & Merton.

[428]

Convocation met on Wednesday the 17th, and sate until Friday, the 19th February. I moved a Gravamen with respect to the action of the National Society & the Church defence Ctee in uniting with the E.C.U., the Ch. Schools Emergency League, & the Parents' League in a combined policy opposed to the Abp's Educational efforts. Wace attempted to get the Gravamen rejected as 'improper': but here he failed as a reference to the assessors determined the point against him. So I had on Friday morning to move that the Gravamen be adopted as an articulus cleri. There was an exciting debate. Wace spoke with much feeling: & of course carried the house with him. I was defeated by 53 to 21. However the Gravamen went up signed by me, and 14 others. The Abp. in reply made some observations in which he practically endorsed it.

On Wednesday afternoon Pryke brought forward the 2nd of the reports from the 'Moral Witness Ctee'. Cunningham moved, & I seconded a hostile amendment. In the course of the debate I made a vigorous speech, criticising the Report. Finally we agreed to send back the wretched thing to the Ctee responsible for it. Here, however, the rules of the Houses were a difficulty: & finally on Friday afternoon it was hustled thro' a thin House.

On Friday evening we attended the Speaker's reception, & on Saturday dined quietly with the Pembers.


Issues and controversies: maiden speech in convocation; 'gravamen'