The Henson Journals

[155]

21st Sunday after Trinity, October 27th, 1912. Bryn Mawr.

Grant we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon & peace; that they may be cleansed from all their sins, & serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

A motor was sent to fetch us to the University. There I preached to six or seven hundred men & a few women in the Gymnasium. I repeated the sermon on Jacob's dream which I preached in Winnipeg. Then we were motored back to Bryn Mawr. The Presbyterian Minister, Mutch & his wife came to lunch. We got on to the risky subject of Female Suffrage, but a crisis was averted by some timely diversion. Then we went to our room, & I rested for an hour. Dorothea Moore, the daughter of Professor Edward Moore, fetched us out to have tea in her rooms. Here she brought a number of her fellow students, bright, well–grown girls exceptionally charming & intelligent. Among them came Miss Garfield the daughter of the Williamstown president. I had much conversation with Miss Lucille Davidson, a girl from Texas, who professed herself of no church, but a Christian. I took a great fancy for her: & promised to write on the subject, which that was no place to discuss.

[156]

These girls are almost all eager advocates of female suffrage, & mostly enthusiasts for Wilson.

I preached in the Gymnasium to a considerable congregation of the students & others. A choir of students sang an anthem very sweetly, & led the singing of the Hymns. I preached the sermon on Stanley's favourite text: "I see that all things come to an end, but Thy commandment is exceeding broad". The attention was close; & there seemed a spirit of reverence & worship among us all. The stillness of the scene illumined by a clear moon nearing the full was most solemn. There is an academic severity in the buildings, which is reminiscent of Oxford. The sight of so many fair girl's [sic] faces, beaming with intelligence & aglow with physical health, compelled the mood of optimism: & I felt ready to forgive Miss Thomas her mistaken zeal for female suffrage in consideration of her conduct of this great college. Several girls claimed recognition – Dorothea Moore, a cousin of Dr Scott our archivist, a daughter of Dr Napier who was a member of the abortive Welsh Church Committee, & Miss Garfield.

I wrote to my godson Gilbert. Also I wrote to Dams bidding him give the Choirboys a shilling apiece on my Birthday. Ella also wrote to Mrs Berry bidding her make & despatch the Birthday cake as in former years. I suppose it is probable that this will be the last of such benefactions.

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Issues and controversies: female suffrage