The Henson Journals

[492]

Monday, July 10th, 1916.

707th day

Am I altogether wrong in not only disapproving the project of the so–called National Mission, but also resenting the method by which it was determined upon? Am I wholly unreasonable in resenting the issue of prayers for the Divine Blessing on a project, which I disapprove, and which I am thus indirectly coerced into supporting? Am I sinfully sceptical in thinking that such Prayers can have little value, & may be actually debilitating?

I finished Cunningham's "Christianity and Politics", which I found to be both interesting, suggestive, and informing. His account of the English Reformation is affected, but less than I expected by his Tractarianism; and he certainly exaggerates the difference between English and Scottish Religion: but his criticisms on the Nonconformist position are acute, &, though often severe, rarely unjust. I think he exaggerates both the value of political party, and the powerlessness of the men [sic] who stands [sic] outside parties. He points his moral effectively by references to the War.

In the afternoon we went to a party for the wounded given by the officers who are staying in a hotel on the cliff. The entertainment was marred by a sudden and violent downpour of rain, after which I slipped away, finding myself bored. Later we attended a performance of the National School children in aid of the children of Belgium. I was moved to reflection by the two most applauded items – the one represented the flirting of a young couple in the cornfields, the other exhibited the police in a ludicrous aspect. The first would hardly assist the chastity of the girls: the last would certainly weaken the discipline of the boys! 'And what will ye do in the end thereof?'

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