The Henson Journals

[121]

Thursday, July 15th, 1909.

Winnipeg:–

I wrote to Miss Markham. I had some conversation with the Abp. of Rupertsland (Mathieson). Of course we got on to the subject of Reunion.He said that Gore wrecked everything at Lambeth. When he appeared, there was a general rally of the obscurantists, who clustered about him like a swarm of bees.He seemed greatly impressed by Lang, who apparently posed in the Conference as the exponent of liberal ideas! I suggested that the reference to 1610 could hardly have been reasonably thought conciliatory to Scotsmen. He replied that he agreed, & had said as much at Lambeth. Generally he was despondent on the whole subject. He was reluctant to play the prophet, but he could not avoid the belief that within a short space there would be a schism in the Church of England. The Ritualist faction might patch up some kind of an union with the Greek Church, or even with the Roman Catholics: the mass of Anglicans might get into alliance with Presbyterians. As I looked at the Bishops, & listened to the debates, I felt that there were really two Churches represented in the Conference. This is entirely accordant with what I learned from the American Bishops.

[122]

Then we lunched at the Deanery. The Dean (Coombes) is a pleasant, rather sleek little man about to celebrate his silver wedding, & proud of the fact! He & his canons have their main sphere of work in connection with the Theological College, where they are ex officio professors. S. John's Cathedral is a humble little building dated from a comparatively remote period, perhaps 60 years!, and already tending to fall by reason of doubtful building & bad foundation. It has a rather fine carved wooden pulpit.

Later we had tea with Dr & Mrs Jones. After dinner another of the Cathedral clergy called on us, Canon Jeffries, the diocesan Missioner. Mr Oldfield, a friend of Aubrey's, called also. He is a successful English colonist, almost everybody else is Scotch, who can be so described.

He gives a very unfavourable account of the political morality of Canada. "Graft" is universal; & there is no public conscience on the subject. The newspaper contains a terrible account of the social morality of Winnipeg. I fear the general effect of what I have seen & heard in this city is distinctly depressing.

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