The Henson Journals
Sun 28 February 1909 to Sat 6 March 1909
Volume 16, Pages 432 to 433
[432]
1st Sunday in Lent, February 28th, 1909.
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A wintry day, with a considerable snow–fall. There were but 10 comts at 8 a.m: and a small congregation at 11 a.m. among which I was interested to observe old Mr Talbot. Presumably he elects to undergo his penance in this form. I preached on 'Fasting' taking the passage from Isaiah 58 as a text.
I wrote a letter to Sir Robert W. Perks, begging him to extend the time–limit within which the present tenents [sic] of Parker Street must clear out of their houses. He has issued notices on the 22nd Feb: requiring no less than 400 people men, women, & children to be gone bag & baggage by March 8th. Hence great indignation & much vehement protesting.
The weather grew worse as the day drew to its close: it was snowing hard by 5 p.m: & at Church time a considerable amount of snow had fallen. The congregation in S. Margaret's was less than half its usual size. I preached from Rom. X on the essentials of Christianity.
Mr Hider & Leslie came in to supper, also Reggie Still.
[433]
On Monday, the 1st March, the Brotherhood dined here. The weather continued very bad: a considerable snow–fall took place on Wednesday. Raleigh lunched here. Duckworth & Beeching also came: & we discussed sundry aspects of the 'Constitutional question': concerning which that strange Sir K. M. has been speaking oddly to Harold. I went to S. Margaret's at 8 p.m. with the intention of cancelling my "instruction" on the Bible. But some 70 people or more had come through the snow, so that I spoke extemporaneously.
Ella caught some kind of a chill on Thursday, & was laid up for the rest of the week.
The 'Church Times' has a second leader attacking the Convocational Report, which – in its many bad features – expresses the influence of 'the energetic & forcible personality of a certain Canon of Westminster'!
In the 'Nation' (Saturday, March 6th) appeared a signed article from me on "The Revision of the Prayer–Book", I rather sniff at the Report on the score of its slightness.
The Bishop of Crediton has cried off my 'gravamen', and written to that effect to the 'Guardian' & the 'Church Times'.
Watson came to see me on Thursday, & stayed to dinner. He looks well & happy as if Oxford suited him.
Issues and controversies: maiden speech in convocation; 'gravamen'