The Henson Journals

[362]

Friday, September 22nd, 1916.

781st day

Jackson endured the operation, but is reported to be in a lamentably weak condition. We prayed for him by name at Mattins & Evensong. How odd are the contrasts of human history! We are all vastly concerned to preserve the life of one, obscure & unimportant lad: we eagerly send to the shambles of War our choicest men!

I spent the morning in finishing the paper on, "Social Problems after the War", which I had promised the Bishop to read at the forthcoming Diocesan Conference. I sent the M.S. to Hadow for criticism, as he is pledged to read a paper on "Economic Problems after the War" on the same occasion. Such performances are futile enough for events always disappoint expectations, and disconcert theorists.

Percy Elliot drove me in the motor–car to Haughton–le–Skerne, a village buried in the country, not far from Darlington. It has the distinction of including Bishop Butler in the list of its Rectors. He held the benefice for three years, 1722–1725, before moving to Stanhope. He left his mark for good in the place by building, or re–building the Rectory. A part of the house, I was assured by Mr Fellowes, the present incumbent, dates from the 12th century. The church appears to be an interesting fabric; it contains panelling and communion rails which date from the memorably fatal year, 1649. I preached (with the requisite modifications) the sermon I prepared last year for the Harvest Festival at Bishop Butler's other parish – Stanhope. The congregation was small; the Rector thought it necessary to explain that its smallness was partly caused by a shower of rain, which had cut off the contingent from Darlington. We returned in the darkness, at a very moderate pace, arriving at the Deanery shortly before 10 p.m.

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