The Henson Journals

[41]

14th Sunday after Trinity, September 8th, 1912. Montreal.

A most glorious day. I preached in the Crescent St Presbyterian Church. The minister, Mr Dickie, conducted the service; I read the first lesson: & Dr Campbell, an ex–Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, read the second. I preached from 1. Sam: iii. I "The word of the Lord was precious in these days: there was no open vision". There was large congregation, in which the men were numerous, & the young men conspicuous.

In the afternoon I addressed a large meeting of men in the new buildings of the Y.M.C.A. Prof. Adams presided. My theme was the Putumayo Atrocities. Just before I left the house I was shown an ill–natured paragraph in the Montreal Standard stating that the Directors of the Peruvian Amazon Cy had cleared themselves of responsibility, & that I was 'exploiting' the atrocities in the search for 'notoriety'. I read out this paragraph, & answered it by reading the last paragraph of the leader in the Times for Aug: 24th. Mine audience listened with admirably close attention, & applauded heartily at the end. I handed my M.S. to a Reporter. An old Barking lad claimed acquaintance & proved his titles by exhibiting a photograph of a photograph of a football team of which I was President. I myself appeared in the photo, so I could say nothing!

[42]

In the evening I preached in the Cathedral. There was a great crowd, so that I had to exert myself considerably in order to be heard. However I was assured that everybody did hear. I chose a sermon which bore on the Union questions. The text was from Revelation: "I saw no temple therein: but the Lord God & the Lamb were the temple Thereof".

The man Ender & his wife were in church, & saw me for a few minutes after service. He is a poor creature: & she is no better.

My nephew, Harold, & my 2nd cousin, Ernest, came to see me. They are both here preparing for their respective careers, as architect & as parson.

We had supper with Prof: Adams: but I was too tired to talk intelligently.

The Barking man told Prof. Adams that he had walked in to Montreal from Lachine, some 9 miles out, in order to hear me. He spoke with enthusiasm of me, describing me as 'a great man for the working–man'. This is a pathetic reminder from a past phase of my life. The seven years at Barking were the spring–time of my ministry, when the motive of work was that 'first love', which can never really be renewed.

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Issues and controversies: Putumayo