The Henson Journals

[204]

Friday, May 12th, 1911.

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~~The cosmopolitism which does not spring out of, and blossom upon, the deep–rooted stem of nationality or patriotism, is a spurious and rotten growth.~~

S. T. Coleridge "Table Talk" p. 271.

I attended the annual meeting of the West London Mission (Wesleyan Methodist) in the Queen's Hall. Perks presided, & made a blatant speech. Then I spoke, taking occasion to speak about the Bishop of Hereford's Invitation to the Nonconformists to receive the Holy Communion in his Cathedral on Coronation Day. I spoke very plainly to the Bishop of Winchester. This part of my speech I had typed, and gave to the Reporters. Silvester Horne spoke: & then the Missioner, Rattenbury, who begged frantically: & then his predecessor, Ensor Walters, who simply roared. The bellowing fervour of these men almost disconcerts me. They are like Dervishes! And the orgy of mutual compliment!!

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