The Henson Journals

[66]

16th Sunday after Trinity, September 22nd, 1912. Winnipeg.

There was a slight improvement in the weather, but the day was sunless & depressing.

I preached in the morning at St Luke's Church. There was a very large & very attentive congregation. I preached on Jacob's Vision, intercalating some references to the materialism which obsesses Winnipeg.

We lunched at Government House. The Governor was absent but Mrs Cameron received us. I took her in to lunch, & found her extremely agreeable.

At 3 p.m. I addressed an audience of men only in the 'Auditorium' of Grace Church, a Methodist institution. My subject was 'The Problem of the Alien Immigrant from a Christian point of view'. Prof. Osbern of Wesley College took the Chair. I spoke for 3/4 an hour very plainly, rather to the surprize of my audience, who are accustomed to hear from visitors nothing but eulogiums on Winnipeg, & the limitless prosperity which lies before it. However they were attentive, and applauded the right points.

I preached at All Saints at Evensong. The Church was thronged. I was assured that as many as 1000 people were squeezed inside a wooden building which was designed to accommodate no more than 800.

[67]

The Bishop of Qu'Appelle (Dr Harding) was present. He spoke to me of the difficulties of the Church in Canada. I replied that the first & most pressing duty of the Church was to find a modus vivendi with the other Protestant Churches. He rejoined with some heat that that was out of the question: that no less than 6 non–episcopal ministers had applied to him for Ordination within the last 12 months: that the non–episcopal Churches were leavened with Unitarianism: that everything turned on the Church of England's maintaining a firm front, & making no concessions. I did not reply to all this, because there was no time, & the occasion was unfavourable. But I reflected mournfully on the gross blindness which has fallen on the Anglican leaders.

After the service the Bishop thanked me with some appearance of sincerity for my sermon: & the parson of the Church (Heathcote) also thanked me.

Aubrey & Lois came to supper, also a Mr & Mrs Kohl, & another Canadian lady.

Jack Dennistoun went to the station, and managed the checking of our baggage to Minneapolis.

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