The Henson Journals

[445]

4th Sunday after Trinity, June 30th, 1912.

The cawing of rooks & the singing of birds waked us early, but fatigued by our exertions overnight we did not get up for the early service. We attended Mattins at 10.30 a.m. The choir – 12 boys, & 6 men – sang creditably, though their singing seemed unduly loud in the small space of the Choir. The preacher – Canon Denham – roared mightily in the pulpit, saying but little to compensate for the clamour. After service we strolled down the main street, which is full of tablet–marked buildings much connected with Charles Dickens.

At 2.45 there was a men's service in the Nave, at which I preached on Psalm 42.1 "As the hart desireth the waterbrooks &c". Partly owing, I think, to the thunderous weather, I preached slackly, & with little effect, though the fine Norman Nave is acoustically very good, and my congregation were very attentive. Evensong was at 4 p.m. Ella attended, but I abstained.

At 7 p.m. I preached on 'Jacob's Vision' to a very large congregation. Then came dinner followed by some charming singing of old songs by Miss Lane, & then bed.

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