The Henson Journals

[403]

4th Sunday in Lent, March 17th, 1912.

A chilly depressing day settling down to a quiet soaking rain. At 8 a.m. I celebrated in St Margaret's. There were 28 communicants.

The Church was well–filled at Mattins. We used the special Psalms & Lessons put forth by the Archbishops . I preached from "He is our Peace", making no direct allusions to the Strike.

Compston celebrated afterwards. There were 39 comts. At 4 p.m. was the Church Parade of my Territorials. In spite of the execrable weather there was a fair muster. I preached from the words of Mordecai to Esther: "Who knowest whether thou hast come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" My theme was the crisis & the duties it suggested. The National Anthem was sung with extraordinary fervour.

I preached (for the 3rd time) at Evensong. Though the evening was wet, the Church was full.

[404]

On Monday Craik came to see me with one of the Scotland Yard Inspectors: &, after some discussion, I consented that a watch should be set on Ward, &, if he were caught in the act of stealing from the Offertory, he should be given in charge. Accordingly, the Inspector & Westlake arranged a trap by marking coins, & placing them in the plate after the Wednesday Lecture. The result was decisive. Ward was caught infalgrante delicto: & was forthwith given in charge. This is a lamentable business.

There was a large attendance at my lecture on Friday afternoon, perhaps due to the slightly improved weather, but possibly also in some small degree to a growing interest in the subject. Some evidence of the latter was given in the evening when I dined in Lincoln's Inn Hall with the Civil Engineers. Sir Wm White spoke to me about the lectures, the brief reports of which in the "Times" he had plainly read with attention.

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