The Henson Journals

[85]

5th Sunday after Trinity, June 26th, 1910.

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The weather has suddenly become much cooler. At 8 a.m. I celebrated in St Margaret's. There were 23 comts including Archdeacon Watkins & Dr Symonds.

Dr Symonds preached at Mattins to a large congregation, in which Canadians were numerously represented. He preached well, has a good voice & manages it well, & arranges his matter effectively. The type of discourse, perhaps, was rather old–fashioned. Certainly the attention of the audience was close & sustained.

In the afternoon, Ella & I went to the Stockwell Training College, where I addressed the students who are concluding their course. Many of them attend the services & organ recitals at S. Margaret's. Afterwards we had tea with Miss Manley.

At Evensong there was a very large congregation, in which I noticed rather to my surprise, the Duchess of Buccleugh, & Raleigh. I preached on 'Marriage', proposing & answering the question, How has Christianity affected marriage? My sermon was designed as a preliminary to the evidence I intend, if opportunity occur, to give tomorrow. Sir H. Craik was mightily offended: & refused to discuss the subject!! But Raleigh, who came in to supper, was in agreement: & the congregation was portentously attentive.

[86] [symbol]

Ella went with me to the Divorce Commission (Monday, June 27th 1910). I was under examination from 10:30 a.m. to a few minutes before 4 p.m. Lang was not present. The Commissioners present were: Tindall Atkinson, Dibdin, Lady Frances Balfour, the Warden, Sir George White, Sir Fredk Treves, & Spender, together with Lord Gorell, & one commissioner whom I did not identify. I was asked to read my 'Memorandum'; and, as I read, the Chairman stopped me, & asked questions. When he had finished, the Commissioners in turn had their chance. Dibdin & I had some sparring; but mostly the questioning was of the friendliest sort.

Bishop Roots of Hankow lunched with me on Saturday the 2nd July, & had much conversation respecting Reunion. He told me that Gore wrecked the Pan–Anglican Report by threatening a schism if any re–cognition of non–episcopal ordinations were effected. This letter determined the issue to the astonishment of many, & the disgust of not a few.

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Issues and controversies: divorce; recognition of/reunion with non-episcopal churches