The Henson Journals

[30]

Whitsunday, May 19th, 1918.

1385th day

Most difficult, nay altogether unattainable, is any clear understanding of the orthodox doctrine respecting the Holy Ghost – His Personality, His Equality with the Father & the Son within the unity of the undivided Godhead, His “double Procession – and yet no part of the Christian System appeals more potently to the mind. For here at least we have God with us, not severed by a waste of centuries, not awfully remote in Power, but within ourselves, & audible to us there.

For God is never far off

As even to be near

He is within: our spirit is

The Home He holds most dear.

No Festival is more exalting; none more consolatory. The Creed may be to us no more than a tiresome and perplexing logomachy, but the "Veni Creator" moves us as nothing else can. It has become associated inextricably with the tragically decisive moments of Ordination, and those for me have been threefold. The Invocation governed my admission to diaconate, to priesthood, to episcopate and always. It comes most naturally to mind at every new turn of my fortunes. Who, indeed, could endure the burden & claim of such Ministry without conviction that God is present, accessible, friendly, and active? "The Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered".

[31] [symbol]

The post brings me another communication from the anonymous "Captain R.N." who has favoured me with so many abusive post cards. He appears to regard railway–travelling as a form of episcopal self–indulgence, and residence in a London hotel as a luxurious substitute for the Palace in Hereford!

"It is to be hoped later on a return will be asked for the number of railway journeys Dr Henson has made from Hereford, the time & money expended. This is not a question of theology, but of common honesty". Well, well!

I preached in St Nicholas Church, and celebrated the Holy Communion. The Athanasian Creed was not read. I approve the reason, & condemn the illegality of the proceeding. The church is hideous, & acoustically bad, but the service was both reverent & congregational. A layman read the lessons, & read them badly. There were a good many communicants.

I went with Ella to visit the Military Hospital which the Mayor has established in his house. A convoy had arrived from France last week. The men were mostly quite young, & all very cheerful. Their civilian occupations had been most various. In the same bedroom were a clerk, an engineer, a stoker, a farm hand, an ostrich feather cutter, & a paper–hanger. This mixing up of different social types ought to make for mutual understanding.

I preached in the Cathedral at Evensong. There was a large congregation. After dinner Ella & I went to the Palace, and sate in the garden for a while.

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