The Henson Journals

[576]

Friday, June 9th, 1916.

676th day

I received a letter from Mr A. Kneel including a photograph of the young naval officer whom I met in the train on the way to London on May 10th. He wrote to tell me that the lad, his son, had been killed in the recent naval battle, when his ship, the 'Defence' was destroyed. I wrote immediately to Mr Kneel, sending him a copy of "War–time Sermons".

The "Record" and the "Challenge" publish the letters "Festina lente" [make haste slowly] which I sent to both papers on the rather impudent proposal that in the view of the "National Mission" the Evangelicals should consent to substitute "Holy Communion" for Mattins as the 'principal service on the Lord's Day[']. I think there are clear signs of mutual suspicion and misgiving among these 'Missioners'.

I received a letter from Pearce (now Archdeacon in succession to Wilberforce) respecting the letter which the 'Times' rejected (v .p. 580). As I suspected, he had been sounded by the Editor of the "Times", and had championed Bishop Gwynne.

I attended Evensong in the Cathedral, and afterwards rolled the lawn. "Land and Water" has a very cheering article on the Naval Battle, making out that it was a considerable British victory, & that the German fleet has been so knocked about that a long time must elapse before it will be in a condition to fight again. There is also a careful, apparently well–informed, and extremely eulogistic article on Mr Asquith, which may perhaps be serviceable. The under–current of insulting innuendo which sets through the nation from Printing House Square is strong enough to affect some sections of public opinion, & needs checking.

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