The Henson Journals

[65]

4th Sunday after Trinity, June 23rd, 1918.

1420th day

A day alternately bright and clouded, with a chill in the wind which made an overcoat pleasant, and changing lights & shadows which showed Oxford to perfection. I went to chapel, and joined in Morning Prayer with Frank, Headlam, Ker, Grant Robertson, Johnson, & a Bible clerk. Then I vested myself in "purple & fine linen", and went to St Mary's for the University Sermon. There was a considerable congregation, of which the academic element was not the largest constituent, though it was much larger than I had expected. The heads of Trinity, Oriel, All Souls, Magdalen, University, & St John's represented the "houses". I preached a sermon more or less congruous with the Commemoration, taking as my text 1. John V.21. "The world passeth away, & the lust thereof, but he that doeth the Will of God abideth for ever". If any had come expecting a polemical discourse, they went away disappointed. The attention throughout was close and sustained. I must needs conclude from what various persons said to me afterwards that the sermon was appreciated. It is always difficult to distinguish the message of truth which is carried [66] by words of compliment, & certainly the man to whom they are addressed is of all men the least competent to essay the task. Nevertheless, I cannot think that men so different as Ker, Johnson, Robertson, Holland, Marriott, and Phelps would wholly sink their real sentiments when undertaking the gratuitous & unexpected rôle of those who applaud. I suspect there was an element of relief in their approval. They were glad to have escaped a fresh episode of controversy.

After lunch I called on the President of Magdalen, and talked with him for an hour, partly about his contribution to the Anson Memoir, & partly about "Life & Liberty". He expressed decided disapprobation of the views of Canon Glazebrook, who is a connexion of his. From Magdalen I walked to 64 Banbury Road, and called on the Bishop & Mrs Percival. The poor old man is in the last stage of physical wreckage, & I am nowise assured that he was quite clear as to who I was, and what I said. Phelps was there, and afterwards walked back with me as far as the College. He was as ever cheerful and friendly. I told him much of the inner history of the agitation against me, which surprised him a good deal. It appears that he has personal connections with Hereford. I wrote to Ella, attended service in Chapel, and dined in Hall. It was a pleasant party of friends. The Dean of Christ Church was there as a guest: & Dicey, who is coming to look quite patriarchal, & Holland. Also Radcliffe and Oman. I seemed to be carried back more than 30 years to my first days in college. We are all getting old: mine is still the youngest–looking head, though that is grey.

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