The Henson Journals

[425]

Monday, October 4th, 1915.

427th day

I paid my too–long deferred visit to the Barber, and returned the lighter–headed for my visit! Then I lunched with Pearce. Gow I saw in the school–yard: and had some talk with. He seems melancholy & discontented. Then I joined Ella, recovered my bags, & so went off to Birchington, arriving about 5 p.m. The "Globe" had a hostile paragraph, attacking the Dean of Durham for observing that 'there was too much talk about "reprisals" which hardly had a Christian sound.' It is a curious indication of the state of mind which war induces that so obvious an opinion should strike men as unreasonable. I fear that the critics of Christianity have but too good reason for their bitter comment that, however lofty its theory, its practice accords severely with the humble convention which non–Christian society accepts. To love one's friends & hate one's enemies is the principle on which the world, as we know it, does on the whole proceed: & it were difficult to show that any different principle is actually shaping the action of Christian men. Yet, if anything be certain, it is that the Founder of Christianity definitely & explicitly disallowed that principle for His disciples.

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