The Henson Journals
Mon 21 September 1914
Volume 20, Page 25
[25]
Monday, September 21st, 1914.
48th day
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The newspapers report the destruction of Rheims Cathedral by the Germans. I visited that glorious church on Sept 6th 1894, & was immensely impressed by its beauty. And now it is a heap of burnt–out ruins! This mighty crusade on behalf of German Culture will leave the civilized world a Sahara! The "Times" prints a letter in which a remarkable prophecy of Heine is quoted. He foretold that the decline of Christianity would release into activity the destructive barbarism which Christianity had succeeded in restraining. "Thor, with his giant's hammer, will at last spring up, & shatter to bits the Gothic cathedrals". Lloyd George's peroration on Saturday reached a very high level of eloquence.
May, the lay–vicar, came to tell me that that he had resolved to enlist, & later he came again to tell me that he had been accepted.
A. L. Smith, who had been staying at Hartlepool, came to lunch: also Mr Martin & his wife from Stockton. I shewed them the house & the Library. Then I attended Evensong in the Cathedral.