The Henson Journals

[208]

Tuesday, March 26th, 1918.

1331st day

Mr Woods had some talk with me about his parish. He desires to sign on for another year as chaplain. I returned to Hereford, and after lunch motored to Hampton Bishop, & confirmed 23 persons in the parish church. After service we went to the Rectory, & had tea with the Rector and Mrs Scarlett Smith. On returning to Hereford, we went to the Palace where our furniture is rapidly arriving. It looks a long mass of mingled stuff as it stands piled in the Hall.

There awaited me among yesterday's letters two from Birmingham, the one from Canon Willink, & the other from Bishop Hamilton Baynes. Both expressed great anxiety that I shd postpone my visit to Carr's Lane Church, & both professed to be actuated by a desire to advance the cause of reunion. I only half–believe this profession, but I thought it judicious so far to defer to the professors as to request from Mr Berry the postponement of my visit. He is said to be in France, so I marked my letter 'immediate'. Hamilton Baynes is engaged in negociation with Berry with the object of amalgamating his congregation with that of the Birmingham Cathedral. He says the Archbishop of C. has cognizance of this project, & favours it. He fears that any controversy caused by my preaching on April 14th might militate against his scheme!

[209] [symbol]

To Bishop Hamilton Baynes

March 26th 1918

My dear Bishop,

I am much interested in your project, & shall follow its fortunes with attention & sympathy. I have written to Mr Berry & begged to be allowed to postpone the fulfilment of my promise to preach in Carr's Lane Church, adding the suggestion that June 30th wd be a possible date. If he refuses to release me from my bond, I shall be obliged to carry out my promise on the 14th April. You cannot hope to take any effective step without provoking controversy: & my deliberate conclusion is that one shd determine a course deliberately, & go forward resolutely letting the fanaticks howl. I am interested also in what you tell me of the action of the Archdeacons in the matter of my consecration. It was of course in equal measure both extraordinary & indecent. But when so many Bishops allowed themselves to act with such extreme impropriety and, so far as I am concerned, with such evident injustice, I cannot think too hardly of archidiaconal follies.

I do not believe there is any sincerity in the renewed talk about reunion by so–called "Catholicks".

However, I am Yours sincerely,

H. H. Hereford

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