The Henson Journals

[162]

Saturday, February 9th, 1918.

1286th day

I walked to the Athenaeum, & there revised the sermon for the Temple. Bernard was there, and I asked his opinion on one or two passages. That opinion rather reflected the prudence of an archbishop than the courage of a confessor! Then I prepared notes for a sermon tonight in Barking. Also I wrote to Harold. Buckle came in and was very conversational. I called on Macmillans, & ascertained that my MS. had arrived, and that they wd approve the inclusion of my letter to Ingram about the City Temple preaching. On returning to the club, I wrote to Ingram asking permission to publish his letter. The Speaker came in to the dining room while I was lunching, and told me that he was week–ending at Chequers to see the house. I walked back to the Deanery, & joined Ella. We went to Barking, and there I preached in St Paul's Church on the 25th anniversary of its foundation. It was my first episcopal sermon; not unfitly preached in my first parish. I took for my text the words, "Jesus Christ is the same: yesterday, & today, yea & for ever". Quite a number of old friends shook hands with me after the service, & seemed really glad to see me. The Vicar, Pelham, seems earnest and sensible. He accompanied us to the station. We returned by the electric railway to Blackfriars, arriving back at the Deanery about 9 p.m.

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