The Henson Journals

Sun 14 July 1912 to Sat 20 July 1912

Volume 17, Pages 451 to 453

[451]

6th Sunday after Trinity, July 14th, 1912.

~~The number of men sinning neither extenuateth the sin, nor exempteth from judgment: but rather aggravateth the sin, pulleth down more severe speedy vengeance. Multitudes of sinners are as multitudes of faggots, or other combustible fuel, which are so much the sooner set on fire: being once set on fire do burn so much the more fiercely.~~

William Gouge. 'God's Three Arrows' p.25.

I celebrated at 8 a.m. in St Margaret's. There were 17cts.

The heat was very great, the church was full, when at Mattins I preached on "The Problem of Politics". The sermon was a long one, but I went through with it inexorably.

President McVey of the State University in North Dakota lunched here. He seemed to think that the general attitude of English people towards Americans is unfriendly.

I preached in St Paul's – a very exhausting performance. Afterwards Ella I had supper at the Deanery. Linetta was there, two Canadian women.

[452] [symbol]

On Monday the 15th July, I found myself paying yesterday's Bill for heat effort. I had to 'cry off' a lunch with Mrs Lowther, a dinner with Sir John Struthers. But I read through the truly terrible report of Sir Roger Casement on the Putumayo abominations. Also I wrote to Herbert Gritten.

On Tuesday, the 16th, I sent £5.5.0 to Sir R. Casement in response to the Appeal for an R.C. Mission in the Putumayo district. Also a letter to the Times supporting the same. Then I attended the Royal Society's Anniversary service in the Abbey. In the afternoon we travelled to Southampton to visit the Bishop. The car met us at Southampton West. After tea we motored to call on a neighbour – a large but by no means wealthy landowner named Fleming. He shewed us his charming garden horses, of which he had a considerable number. He appears to make both a business a hobby of breeding exhibiting horses.

On Wednesday, the 17th we motored to Winchester, were present at the 'Diocesan' service in the Cathedral. The Bishop of the Diocese ( Talbot) preached. The service was well–organized, hearty, dignified. Mrs Valpy – a Suffragette, though not as yet violent – joined us at Winchester, returned with us to Bassett.

[453]

On Thursday, the 18th July, we motored to Portsmouth, were shewn over the dockyard. The Admiral's barge carried us pleasantly from one point to another, his coxswain was a most intelligent guide. The oldest buildings date from 1670. We were specially interested in the submarines. We had tea very pleasantly with Miss Moore, from whom I bought some Indian trifles brought home from India by Q. Mary. There were derelicts from a recent bazaar. I was much interested in the portraits of admirals which adorn Admiralty House.

On Friday, the 19th July, we motored again to Winchester, where we lunched at the Deanery, afterwards attended the 'Schools service' in the cathedral. Burge preached very effectively. In the congregation I noticed the Warden of Winchester School ( Sir Kenneth), Vidal, sundry old Wykehamists of my acquaintance. We motored back to Bassett for tea, afterwards walked for two hours thro' the woods.

On Saturday, the 20th, we left Bassett, travelled to Shrewsbury, in order to spend the week–end with the Alingtons. The boat–races were happening, a 'flare–up' afterwards, all which we observed with due interest sympathy.


Issues and controversies: female suffrage