The Henson Journals

[230]

22nd Sunday after Trinity, November 19th, 1916.

839th day

The stormy weather continues. Rain, wind, and bitter cold. It is clear to me that on Gore's 'principles' the English Reformation could nowise be justified: while they serve very well as the premisses [sic] of the Roman conclusion. Even where he refuses to sanction Roman practices he does so on no principle save that the law at present forbids. Sometimes he expresses his desire for the very practices he owns himself compelled to prohibit: & he indicates popular agitation & insistence as a sure method for securing a change of the law. I would test Gore's churchmanship in the following points:–

1. Reservation of the Sacrament for the purpose of worship.
2. Compulsory confession.
3. The doctrine of ecclesiastical authority.

I preached at Mattins, and celebrated the Holy Communion afterwards. Before the service I installed Canon Fleming, who read the lessons. Though so ancient in aspect, and physically frail, he read clearly, & with a loud voice. I attended Evensong, when the Anthem was Wesley's 'Wilderness'. Afterwards I wrote a letter to the "Guardian" on the subject of Gore's "Manual". It did not please me, or fulfil my real intention, but I sent it off, as I shall have no time to write anything better. Also I wrote to Carissima, from whom also I received a letter. After dinner we sate in the back study, and talked together until our guest retired to bed. The weather was boisterous & wet throughout the day. Our only comfort under its discomfort is the hope that it operates on the side of our Roumanian allies, who are hardly pressed by the Germans. It will be a first–class disaster if Roumania is crushed, and pillaged, but it does not seem very improbable.

---