The Henson Journals

[447]

9th Sunday after Trinity, August 8th, 1909.

A most glorious morning. Our conversation at breakfast turned on the Roman Catholic clergy. Addis said that it was an understood thing that the 'black sheep' were shipped to America.

I celebrated in the Abbey. Kirshbaum preached an excellent sermon.

At 3 p.m. there was a considerable concourse of holiday–makers. I preached an ancient sermon on 'Youth'. Prof: Perry and his family came to tea. They were fellow–passengers in the 'Empress of Ireland'.

At 7 p.m. I listened to a typical oration from one of the curates of S. John–the–Evangelist, Kennington.

[448] [symbol]

On Sunday, August 15th 1909, a Cowley Father, Conran, played the dervish in the Abbey Pulpit which he occupied as evening preacher. His performance was so extravagant that I wrote to the Dean representing that in my judgment Mr Conran was not qualified to preach in Westr Abbey. (v.p.241)

On Tuesday Aug. 17th 1909, a letter from me appeared in the Times under the heading 'Episcopal authority and the Law'. The Bishop of Manchester replied on Friday, the 20th, and I rejoined on Saturday, the 21st.

On Friday, the 20th, I met Mr Balfour, & walked a short way with him. I expressed to him my strong sense of the illiberal tendency in the Church, & complained that the laity did not back up the liberal–minded clergy as they used to do.

• "It seems to me that the Bishops have no power to make the clergy do their duty, but just enough to deprive them of their rights" – that is a Balfourian mot worth keeping in mind.

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