The Henson Journals

[120]

Monday, August 12th, 1918.

1470th day

The brilliant weather continues, & the good news from France. Sounds of gun–firing went along with the rattle of the aeroplanes to keep the War always in our minds. I wrote to Linetta suggesting a possible scheme of my lecture on "The Anglican Version of Xty" for King's College in October. I wd start by picturing the ordinary Englishman's religion in the year 1500, and comparing it with what it had become in 1600, in 1700, in 1800, and in 1900. I wd then distinguish the salient notes of the new "Anglicanism". It was insular, Biblical, secular, individualistic. Severally these "notes" were most apparent at the several dates. Then I wd inquire whether any, and if so what, principles were implicit in these "notes": &, finally, ask what future lay before this version of Christianity.

[121]

Philip le Mesurier writes in reply to a letter in which I had asked, half playfully, how he wd like to be a bishop's chaplain, and had mentioned the probable acceptance of Almeley by Norcock. He takes the suggestion most seriously, and exults in the half–disclosed prospect of his becoming Norcock's successor. As he is still a good way from being qualified to take Holy Orders, the matter can hardly be called urgent, but I am compelled to ask myself whether he wd really be well–suited for my purpose, and I am equally compelled at present to answer that I have no adequate reason for thinking that he wd make a good chaplain.

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