The Henson Journals

[459]

17th Sunday after Trinity, October 3rd, 1909.

The day began with a smart down–pour of rain, and a warmth which was fatiguing. Knox celebrated the Holy Comn at 8 a.m., & I assisted. There were 40 commts, including Harold & Alfred Spelling. In all, with the clergy, there were 13 males, & 27 females.

The bad weather reduced the congregation at Mattins. I preached on "The Unity of the Church", and afterwards celebrated the Holy Commn. There were 77 comts.

In the afternoon, I lectured to the Grafton Square Men's Meeting in the Clapham Congregational Church. My subject was "The American Religious Census". Alfred, Gilbert, & Reggie – the three boys whom I have baptized – went with me.

The Rev. Z. Barney Thorne Phillips from Chicago was in St Margt's & came to lunch. He gives an evil report of the morals of the Roman Catholic Clergy in America.

Dicey called in the afternoon. I found him in the drawing room on my return from lecturing.

There was a crowded church at Evensong. I preached on "The Unity of the Spirit". Afterwards there came to supper Miss Markham, Geordie, Clarence Stock, Linetta, Mary, Reggie, & Gilbert.

[460] [symbol]

On Wednesday, October 6th, 1909, I went to Brighton and addressed a great meeting in the Dome, assembled in connection with the Sunday School Alliance. Dr F. B. Meyer followed me in speaking; and we travelled back together to town afterwards. On the way we had much conversation. I was astonished at his attitude towards the Campbell movement. He said 'it had come to stay', that it was gaining ground: that 'in ten years' time it would probably have carried the day in the Congregational Church. I objected that his (Campbell's) language about Christ, throwing doubt on His historical reality, and implying sinfulness, was properly inconsistent with discipleship: he admitted this, yet seemed less resentful of the language than his admission might seem to require. We talked of possibilities of reunion. He has just returned from China, where he declares that much kindly feeling between churches exists: but that "new criticism" threatened a formidable schism. I rejoined that as much might be said of our situation in this country, & he admitted the statement to be true. He expressed great admiration for the Bp. of Southwark, who, from what he says, had spared no pains to cajole into acquiescence that simple soul. He said that Congregationalists were being driven by circumstances to abandon their old local independence, & seek some more effective organisation in order to enable themselves better to co–ordinate their resources. There was no reason why such organisation shd not be essentially episcopal.

[461]

On Thursday, October 7th, 1909, I took the chair at a meeting of the Shop Assistants' Early–Closing Association in Hammersmith. Harold went with me. It was a wet night, and the attendance was but small.

On my return I wrote a letter to a lady advising her to have no dealings with Stead's Bureau for establishing communications with the departed.

On Saturday, October 9th, 1909, I dined with Beeching. Danks, Canon of Canterbury, and Pearce were there. We had much & fierce talk on Church questions.

I bought at a book stall four volumes:–

Culture & Anarchy – M. Arnold

Pastoral Care – Burnet 'ex dono authoris'

The Bishops in the Tower – Luckock

Tracts (XVIIIth century)

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