The Henson Journals

[171]

Passion Sunday, March 21st, 1915.

230th day

A comfortless blustering morning, but not so cold. I did not go to the early service, but revised the two discourses which were to be preached to the soldiers, & the folk at Bishopwearmouth respectively. Preaching does not become easier as the years pass, & bring with them a disconcerting knowledge of one's own life, and of the lives of others. The holding power of Christianity lies in the fact that there is no possible alternative. "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life". That is the final apology of discipleship. Lillingston preached about the 'reconciliation' effected by the death of Christ – a very confident, crude pronouncement. I preached at the military service. Dr Bonney went with me into the Cathedral after lunch. His loving enthusiasm over its different features of skill & beauty was delightful. He preached pleasantly at Evensong. Then I motored to Sunderland accompanied by Mary. There I preached in Bishopwearmouth church to a crowded congregation. We motored back to Durham immediately afterwards, conversing about the past & the future. She leaves us tomorrow to go to India to be married to Alan Radford. On arriving at the Deanery, I gave her a small book on Durham as a reminder of our little expedition. Bonney talked very interestingly on geological & seismical themes. I was immensely impressed by his wide & accurate knowledge of many things.

I received letters from Watson, Ker, Fawkes, & a strange parson named Buckley expressing approval of my letter in the "Times". Bonney also approved after reading it. The sad thing is that any criticism of total abstinence perplexes & distresses a multitude of very good people, who cannot distinguish between total abstinence & temperance, & who – often for strong reasons – regard 'the Drink' as the sum of all Evil.

---