The Henson Journals
Sun 25 February 1912
Volume 17, Pages 388 to 389
[388]
1st Sunday in Lent, February 25th, 1912.
~~Whereas preaching ought to be to no other end but for the gaining of souls, what shall we say to those that preach only for ostentation and to gain applause? Nay, what may we not say against such, who make a solemne prayer before Sermon, for the assistance of the holy Spirit of God in the delivery of the Word; and yet trust not at all to the assistance of God's Spirit but to their own wit & eloquence, and come to declaim & vent their neat compositions, in the study & framing of which, they never sought God, nor sent up a prayer for direction?~~
(v. 'The Hypocrite discovered & cured' by Samuel Torshell, p. 37, A.D. 1644.)
The Abbey Preacher, Edghill from Southwark, had the temerity to arrive without vestments. With Weller's help I fitted him out with Westlake's surplice & stole, & Pearce's hood! I preached in St Margaret's with infinite difficulty. There was a fair but not a crowded congregation, including the Speaker.
My sermon in the Abbey was delivered with a great effort. There seemed to be a large congregation.
[389] [symbol]
After service I called at 10 Downing Street to see Mrs Asquith about preparing her daughter Elizabeth for Confirmation. The young lady herself appeared, wonderfully self–possessed, voluble, & full of opinions. I wonder what we shall make of one another.
I had some conversation with Edgehill, from which I gathered that he is restless & uncomfortable in his present situation, & might be glad to come here as my colleague. In some ways he would be very suitable. He is certainly a student, & would use well the comparatively large leisure of this curacy. He says that he can sing the services, & is accustomed to do so at Southwark Cathedral.
Harold & Elsie came in to supper, also Linetta & Gilbert. Our talk turned on modern Italy, and here the way was open for an effective invasion of Miss Lister's amazing & versatile loquacity. Her wealth of personal anecdote speedily reduced us to an awe–struck audience, from which we only moved when it was time for the party to break up.