The Henson Journals

[138]

4th Sunday in Lent, March 22nd, 1914.

Iam liber erat animus meus a curis mordacibus ambiendi, et adquirendi, et volutandi atque scalpendi scabiem libidinum: et garriebam tibi, claritati meoe et divitiis et saluti meoe, domino deo meo.

A 'sudden conversion' from sensual habits of thought and life needs no other authentication than itself. S. Augustine says that in his case nothing less had come to him than a prompt & final liberation from the desires & practices of long–accustomed sensuality. This truly is the miracle of Christianity, & it lies open to none of the cavils of the critics.

I attended Mattins in the Cathedral. Cruickshank preached on the discipline of the tongue, a good sermon but delivered with so little animation & fervour as to leave a far smaller impression than its merits deserved. Knowling celebrated. I communicated & ministered the chalice. There were but 8 communicants apart from the clergy. These included Rashdall, who looks more like Friar Tuck than ever!

I observe that two new nests are being constructed in our trees.

[139] [symbol] [symbol]

The Sunday post brought me two invitations, the one from Prof. Söderblom to lecture on "Anglicanism", the other from the Missionary Society of the U.F. College in Glasgow, to be their president for the coming year. These invitations illustrate the singular position which I have come to occupy in the religious world.

Rashdall & his wife came to lunch, & Watkins came also.

I attended Evensong in the Cathedral. Prayers for escape from 'the guilt & calamity of civil war' were offered. Rashdall preached a sermon on 2.Cor: VI.I. "working together with Him". His sermon was execrably delivered.

We motored to Bishop Middleham, where I preached to a crowded church. In the pulpit was an hour glass. It had been set there by Colonel Surtees, & was (as I understood him to say) used by Wesley. We had supper in the Vicarage after service, & then motored home, arriving about 9 p.m.

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