The Henson Journals

[409]

17th Sunday after Trinity, September 26th, 1915.

419th day

Gateshead & Stanhope – a centre of the squalidest industrialisation & the placid scene of a calm philosophy, a demonstration of Freemasons & a Harvest Thanksgiving – that is my paradoxical destination for this Sunday, while over, through and in everything is the War. I fill most of my Gateshead sermon with a review of the history of Freemasonry, which I 'vamped up' out of a book which the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica' refers to as the main authority, & which I borrowed from the 'London Library', – "History of Freemasonry, from its rise down to the present day by J. G. Findel, translated from the 2nd German edition. London. Asher & Co. 1866." To the people of Stanhope I discourse on their quondam Rector, Joseph Butler, & of the famous "Analogy" which he wrote in their midst, & of which the argument does not accord badly with Harvest Thanksgiving. Youd arrived in good time, and (with the exception of a puncture at the entering of Chester le Street, which compelled us to drive on the Stepney–wheel as far as Gateshead,) the motor in his hands behaved beautifully throughout the day. The Freemasons came to church in considerable numbers, & listened to my sermon with close attention. I surrendered the MS to their Reporter afterwards. One of the Freemasons was taken suddenly ill, & no cab being obtainable to carry him home, appeal was made to me for my car, which of course was willingly lent. I lunched with Stephenson, the Rector, a man who seems strangely inadequate to his position, but of course one can never safely judge from cursory impressions. From Gateshead I motored over the moors to Stanhope which I reached in about 1½ hours. The hill by which one descends into Stanhope is very dangerous, & has been the scene of many motor tragedies, including that which cost the Mayoress of Gateshead her life a few months ago.

[411]

The Bishop of Richmond shewed me the flower–garden which he has substituted for a cabbage patch. It is a notable improvement. I never see the scene of the writing of Butler's 'Analogy', & pace the very walk, sun–bathed & sheltered, where its immortal author is said to have composed it, without emotion. I preached in the Parish Church to a congregation which was much smaller than I expected, & mainly composed of youngish women. It was explained to me that the Dissenters were also observing their Harvest Festival, but even so I could not think it other than strange that a parish containing over 2000 inhabitants could not produce more than 40 or 50 elderly men – there were no young man in church – on an occasion which generally draws even non–church–goers into the Churches. Moreover I noticed a considerable number of young men loafing in the little market–square as we passed to Church. I am informed that very few recruits have come from Stanhope: the men – quarrymen & agricultural labourers – openly saying that for their part, William II would serve as well as George V! There has been sowing of political tares in the district, & the harvest is apparent. After service I was shown Butler's signature in the parish–register. The drive back to Durham was uneventful. I arrived in the Deanery at 9.30 p.m. To preach on the same Sunday at Gateshead and Stanhope, & not to sleep away from Durham would be an achievement quite beyond the bounds of possibility before the advent of the motor. It is a question, not wholly without interest & importance, whether this new mobility of the clergy is, or is not, favourable to religion. That it is unfavourable to the pastoral character there can, I think, be little doubt in any informed & considering mind.

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