The Henson Journals

[145]

Wednesday, January 23rd, 1918.

1269th day

I went first to the Deanery at S. Paul's, and then to Bow Church. In the vestry were Lord Parmoor, the lawyers, and the press–men. The proceedings were punctual and brief. Two objections had been sent in as I already knew would be the case. They were from the Revd Hermitage Day, and a layman named Reilly, both from the diocese of Hereford, & they alleged my heresy and general unfitness for episcopal office. These were ruled out as inadmissible, & we then proceeded into the church, where the Litany was read, the usual formalities gone through, I took a series of oaths on my knees, & then pronounced the Benediction. The church was nearly filled with men & a few women. They seemed to be friends of mine. An enterprising photographer took snap–shots of the Dean of Hereford & myself standing together on the steps of the church. Then I returned to the Club, having a dreadful head–ache, induced partly by excitement, & partly by the mugginess of the weather. Indeed, I was in some doubt as to my fitness for travelling. However I made an effort, & got back to Durham by the late train, which ran well to time, & brought me in about 11.30 p.m. Ella awaited me, & a pile of letters, among wh. was one from Gore, enclosing a copy of a letter which he had sent to the Archbishop withdrawing his protest. He & his friends will try to make out that I have "recanted" my heresies. But I shall still say nothing.

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