The Henson Journals

[236]

Wednesday, November 15th, 1916.

835th day

The post brought me a letter from Mr Arthur Elliot, writing as as 'an old Editor of the "Edinburgh Review" to thank me for what he calls 'the excellent article in the current number on the Report of the Archbishops' Committee'. He says that it recalls to his mind 'the views expressed in the same Journal by Dean Stanley and other eminent contributors in the past'. I fear that may be true, and that I and my opinions are obsolete by half a century at the least! But not the less true both morally and historically. I wasted the morning in trying to prepare materials for a sermon on 'corporate penitence', a hazy & misleading phrase much used by the new race of missioners! It occurred to me to take my text from that strange & moving story of the 'hanging up before the Lord' of Saul's sons to end a famine. The narrative illustrates vividly enough the primitive notion of corporate guilt. "After that the Lord was entreated for the land" is a suggestive sentence, disclosing a savage conception of God. I attended Mattins and Evensong, & then 'did my duty' by putting in an appearance at the new Mayor's reception. The city fathers are, I think, somewhat perturbed by my brutal lucidity on Sunday! We lunched with the Cruickshanks to meet the Bishop of Newcastle and his wife. I had some talk with the Bishop about the very important appointment to Newcastle from which the prating G. has now retired. I gave him Pearce's three names, which he suggested for Leeds. He is evidently rather attracted by the notion of appointing the amiable but muddle–headed Newsom, who would cause no friction but strengthen no cause. He is, however, a good fellow in himself, & certainly the Bishop might do worse.

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