The Henson Journals

[429]

Quinquagesima, February 21st, 1909

A hard frost & a bright morning. There were 32 cts at 8 a.m.

At Mattins there was a congregation, normal in number, but beyond all precedent noisy. The coughing thro' lessons & sermon was terrible. I begin to think I really am losing hold of the people. Whether the sermons are too dull & prosy, or the sentiments they express are disliked, I cannot tell; but the attitude of the congregation is deteriorating. The Speaker was in his place.

Arthur Harding came to lunch: also Baker–Wilbraham & his wife.

[symbol] At 3.30 I baptized Reginald Sydney Hewitt Still, one of the choir–boys. His parents attended the service. Afterwards he came to tea, & I gave him a R.V. Bible.

At Evensong there was a fair congregation. I preached a patched–quilt–sermon, made up of fragments. Ella went to S. Mark's, Kennington, to attend the Tramway Conductor's Service, & to listen to the Abp. of Canterbury.

Geordie, Bettie Probie, Ellison, Knox & his daughter, Linetta, & Mary came to supper.

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