The Henson Journals

[237]

4th Sunday after Trinity, July 9th, 1911.

~~"It is indeed one of the miracles of Christianity, that by reconciling man to God, it restores him to his own good opinion: that it makes him able to bear the sight of himself: & in some cases renders solitude & silence more agreeable than all the intercourse and action of mankind."~~

Pascal l.c. p. 205

I celebrated at 8 a.m. and preached at 11 a.m. and at 7 p.m.

The Dean celebrated at 12.30 p.m.

Bob Bineham and Gilbert Simpson came in to supper. I wrote letters to Walter White and others.

My text at Evensong was the Logion γινεσθε τvarσαπεvarσιπaplhagreekι δοκιμοι which I rendered "Become trusted money–changers".

The congregations were fairly large, but they seemed in great part made up of tourists. The Parliamentary seats were distressingly empty.

[238]

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On Monday, July 10th, 1911, I travelled to Mundesly on Sea, and preached to the members of Campbell Morgan's 'Bible Conference'. They were gathered in a large tent, in which no less than 900 chairs had been placed. All these were occupied, & besides there were not a few standing. There were a considerable number of ministers present, including several Church of England clergymen. Of these, Canon Girdlestone, an aged but vigorous man, had some speech with me. I preached on the words: "I see that all things come to an end: but Thy Commandment is exceeding broad".

On Tuesday, July 11th, I returned to town by the early train, breakfasted on the train, & got into Dean's Yard before noon. Thus I was in good time for Lord Anson's marriage, at which I assisted. Welldon performed the principal part, & gave the address. Mr Burke had an interview with me respecting the projected publication of the St Margaret's registers & Churchwardens' Accounts. The latter are more voluminous than we supposed. It seems too costly to publish them beyond the end of Elizabeth's reign. That is from 1460 to 1603. The registers we shall carry from 1538 to 1660. If these are tolerably edited, they will form an important contribution to historical science.

[239]

On Wednesday July 12th, I attended the wedding of Major Guest & Miss Lyttelton. Then Ella & I walked to Lambeth where a crowded Garden Party was in progress. I had some conversation with the old Abp. of the West Indies, who is a wiser man than most of his brethren. On returning to Dean's Yard I found Sir R. Mowbray, & a young American, named Mr James Charles Craft, desiring to be taken into the Abbey. After satisfying them, I found Reggie Still, who turned up to attend the Guild. This I had totally forgotten. However I made shift to talk from the notes I had prepared for my Etonian sermon.

On Friday Ruth Spooner dined here, & talked about music with Ernest: also Herbert Gritten, who is making a short stay in England. He had much talk with me about his experiences since he left the Choir School.

On Saturday afternoon (July 15th) we went to Eton to spend the week–end with the Provost. The Provost of King's ( Montague James) dined, & was very civil & interesting. The portraits of Etonians which adorn the Provost's house are wonderful, & must be priceless.

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