The Henson Journals

[604]

Friday, May 26th, 1916.

662nd day

The Steele–Maitlands [Steel–Maitlands] left after breakfast. Ella went with them as far as Newcastle. I had too much headache to do any effective work: after some vain essays I gave up the attempt, and rolled the lawn. At lunch Pemberton came, & afterwards accompanied me to the Sherburn Governors meeting. Here we signed an application for a new Scheme in the teeth of Boutflower's protest, which was extravagant, untimely, & impracticable. He has his good points, but these do not include an aptitude for business. Ella and I walked to Dryburn, and had tea with Colonel & Mrs Darwin. I cross–examined Mrs Darwin about the Pilgrimage of Prayer, which she had performed last year in the Diocese of Southwell, & which is now projected as part of the National Mission in this diocese. Though she asserted her belief in the spiritual value of the exercise, she admitted that she was doubtful whether it was not being injured by over–organization. Certainly this so–called "National Mission" places the clergy, who disapprove & even dislike that religious method in a very disagreeable position. We are being flooded with prayers for public, domestic, & private use, all of which invoke the Divine Blessing on the project, and use very ardent expressions. It is difficult to use these sincerely & effectively without immersing one's self in hypocrisy, or being coerced into conduct which runs counter to one's deliberate judgment. The issuing of prayers for use in the churches is a subtle method of compelling the reluctant clergy to 'come into line' with episcopal directions! Personally, I disapprove and dislike Missionary Methods. I think that the world has moved beyond them. The pre–supposition on which they depend, & which alone can give them a raison d'être have largely vanished even from religious minds. But I shrink from cold–shouldering good efforts.

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