The Henson Journals

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4th Sunday after the Epiphany, February 1st, 1914.

We dined pleasantly with the Omans last night: Jackson, the late Rector of Exeter, & his wife were there, & Poole & his wife, with some of the younger dons. The conversation left no definite impression on my mind, being mostly frivolous.

Ella and I went to the Cathedral at 8 a.m.: and received the Holy Communion. The interesting custom of administering the sacrament to the congregation in their seats is said to be a tradition of the reign of John Owen, the Independent Dean of Christ Church.

I read over my sermon before going to St Mary's, & felt more than ever doubtful as to its success! Still it is as clear & honest a statement of the real situation as I can frame: & such a statement does seem to me needed.

At 10.30 there was a great congregation, floor & gallery seemed quite full, & the procession of Heads was imposing. I preached for the full hour, & was well listened to, though I was conscious of a hostile element in my audience. The hymn was curiously well–chosen – Newman's "Lead Kindly Light". I introduced a reference to the University of Durham into the Bidding Prayer.

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I met Oman & his Anglo–Indian friend after the sermon. They were very much impressed & of course entirely approved the discourse. Then I called in College, & was picked up by a party & walked through Mesopotamia. Ker approved more suo: & Cunliffe Foster also. Later I saw the Warden, who dissented from my reference to the religious situation in the elementary schools: & Dicey, who was of course wholly approving. Also I ran into Parkin, who expressed himself warmly in favour.

I called, as had been arranged, on Bishop Mitchinson, the Master of Pembroke, who shewed me his volume of sketches etc. which he proposes to present to the Dean & Chapter of Durham.

We had tea with Miss Anson, & then went to Christ Church for service at 5 p.m. There was a large congregation – surpliced undergraduates in the centre, dons wives & citizens elsewhere. I preached the sermon on "As the hart desireth etc.", & had the closest attention throughout. The Dean told me subsequently that the men had been greatly pleased! There is a strong body of "Old Westminster" in Christ Church.

Watson & his wife came in to dinner.

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On Monday Feb. 2nd, we travelled to London, where we drove to Dean's Yard, & went our several ways. I went to the Athenaeum, where I lunched & wrote letters. Buckle was there, & Parkin.

I walked to Lambeth, & called on the Archbishop, whom I found in a state of much perturbation over Kikuyu. He told me that I had not made it easier for him to secure a settlement of the controversy. To this I could only reply that that depended on the nature of the settlement he meditated. Our interview was friendly, but agitated.

In the evening I dined with the Brotherhood. Inge brought tidings of two new bishops – to Ipswich goes Archdeacon Hodgson of Lindisfarne, to Chelmsford, Watts–Ditchfield. It is certainly startling to have a man advanced to the episcopal Bench, who has had no academic training whatever.

On Tuesday, the 3rd, I called on the Dean, who shared my dismay at the appointment to Chelmsford: on Radcliffe, & on Lady Craik. Then I wrote more letters in the Athenaeum, lunched with Pearce, attended Evensong in the Abbey, and returned to Durham by the 5.30 express. My compagnons de voyage were five young sailors, returning home on leave.

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On Saturday, Feb. 7th 1914, I went to Newcastle, and addressed a great meeting of Christian Endeavourers in the Town Hall. The spectacle of so great a crowd, mostly young men, was very impressive, & suggestive. Could the Church of England draw together such an assembly for such a purpose? I doubt it. These were Methodists, who are numerous among the mining population. I spoke for exactly half an hour, taking as my theme the Christian life. They listened well, & were, I think, interested, though my manner of speaking is not familiar to them.

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Issues and controversies: Kikuyu