The Henson Journals

[34]

2nd Sunday after Christmas, January 2nd, 1910.

I celebrated in St Margaret's at 8 a.m. There were 23 cts, including Welldon.

At 10 a.m. I preached in the Abbey, repeating the sermon I preached last year in St Margaret's, but mitigating the allusions to the Messina earthquake. It was the smallest congregation I have ever preached to in the Abbey.

Welldon preached an excellent sermon in the afternoon from the words: 'Behold, I make all things new'. It was, perhaps, the best sermon I have heard him preach, the only one that seemed to justify the exalted descriptions of his preaching which I have listened to from his friends. There seemed to be a very large congregation.

I preached in the Abbey at the Evening Service. There was a large congregation. My sermon was, I fear, rather wearisome to listen to. Raleigh was in the congregation. He came in afterwards to supper.

[35]

On Tuesday, Jany 4th 1910, a service was held in St Margt's synchronously with the Funeral of Earl Percy at Alnwick. The Duke of Argyle & Princess Louise attended in person, and Lord Colebrooke represented the King. The Bishop of Peterboro & I officiated.

Dr Mitford Mitchell called on me. He declares himself an 'agnostic' on Tariff Reform: & prophesies a few Unionist gains in Scotland. As to the Union of the Scottish churches he says that the religious women on both sides are hostile to the project: that many of the rural clergy of the Established Church are so: but that the wisest laity are favourable. Unhappily Scottish opinion generally is not interested in Church questions.

On Friday, Jany 7th the choirboys from St Margt's came here for their party. With the aid of Knox's lantern, I exhibited the coloured slides of the Yellowstone & Niagara. Gerald brought a wonderful selection of toys.

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