The Henson Journals

[239]

Sunday, June 6th, 1915. London.

The sermon in the Temple Church was delivered to a very large congregation, in which there was a strong infusion of khaki. I preached from the text S. Lk. VI. 37, 38. "New wine must be put into fresh wine–skins", & I based on it a discussion of the probable effect of the war on Religion. While the churches wd lose: Christianity wd gain. A young soldier ran into the vestry afterwards, & told me he was back for short leave after 8 months in the trenches & 'felt that he must tell me that I had just spoken what everybody out there thought'. Ella & I lunched with the Benchers. Justice Darling, as Treasurer, presided. We walked back to the Abbey with the Charnwoods, & then I had tea in Pearce's little garden with him & Gow. At the Evening service in the Nave of the Abbey Church, there was a great crowd. The Abp. Of Canterbury & Mrs Davidson were in the congregation. I preached for the 4th time the sermon on "The Kingship of Jesus". It took 35 minutes to deliver, & was listened to very closely. We had supper with the Craiks.

On Monday, I had my hair cut: wrote letters: lunched in the Club, where I had much talk with Parkin: finally, rejoined Ella at the Deanery, & bade farewell to the Ryles. Then we went to stay for the night at Stubbers, & [sic] quaint & comfortable house not far from Upminster, where we were entertained by the Champion Russells. A London magistrate, Clarke Hall, & his wife came to dinner. On Tuesday morning, we loafed in the garden, & after lunch went to London, & were taken by Mrs Inge to hear Linetta lecture on "The spirit of Italy" at King's College. There was a very large company, & the lecture was much applauded. We went to spend the next two days at Gaynes with old Mr Joslin. There came to dinner Sir Montagu & Lady Turner, & Mr R. Strutt.

[241]

On Wednesday afternoon our host drove us to Havering–atte–Bower & there introduced us to Mrs Mackintosh. This lady shewed us her truly wonderful garden. The rhododendrons, whose full glory had passed, were still an amazing spectacle. On Thursday, we bade farewell to Mr Joslin, & returned to town. Having deposited our baggage at King's Cross, we parted to meet there again for the evening express. I went to S. Sepulchre's, & there preached to the Churchmen's Union about Magna Carta, protesting against the attempt to connect the agitation for "Church Reform" with that famous document. I lunched with the Committee, & attended the meeting in Sion College. Here was read a rather remarkable paper by Dr Sanday, very egotistical & vague. Being invited by the President (Percy Gardner) to address the assembly, I made a brief fierce speech, equally sincere, unwelcome, & unwise! Then I rejoined my wife, & we returned together to Durham.

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