The Henson Journals

[207]

Monday, March 25th, 1918.

1330th day

The news from France is disquieting, for it is evident that the Germans have broken through our lines, and are still pressing the attack with tremendous vigour. The " Times" discusses the possibility of their capturing Amiens.

I wrote to Archbishop Söderblom & Mrs Gabriellson before breakfast. Also, I paid my quarter's episcopal income into the Bank (£787.10.0).

After lunch I went to Shrewsbury, & was there met by a lady in a little open two–seater car, & driven to Pontesbury, a distance of about 9 miles, where there are 3 rectorships of the one church, &, of course, a long tradition of quarrelling. Mr Seddon holds two of these rectories, and thus mitigates the scandal. He is an elderly man with a side–long look & rather an aggressive manner. He told me that the living was worth £1700 per annum, & that the patron was his sister–in–law. His wife has recently become a papist to his extreme annoyance. I confirmed 75 persons in Pontesbury Church. The arrangements were ill–made; there was a slovenly & heartless manner in the clergy, which displeased me. After tea in the parish hall, I went to Shrewsbury, & thence proceeded to Church Stretton, where I confirmed 70 persons in the parish church. This service was well–arranged, & I took a favourable impression. The Rector (Revd S. C. Woods) was there: he is acting as a chaplain [208] [symbol] at Southampton. His wife is a sister of Mrs Sadler, who lives in Durham. The acting–Rector is a returned C.M.S. Missionary named Davies, rather a good specimen of an unattractive type. I stayed the night at the Rectory.

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