The Henson Journals

[191]

Wednesday, October 16th, 1918.

1535th day

We breakfasted together in the Hotel, & then parted for the day. I went to the club, & spent the morning in preparing a summary of my lecture for (possible) use by the "Times". After lunching in the club, I walked with Newbolt as far as King's College, & then went to the Colonial Office to join a deputation from the Anti–Slavery Society on the subject of native rights in Rhodesia. W. Long was rather official, and unpromising. Then I returned to the club, & had tea. I saw poor William Cecil, who looks rather broken by his son's death. Of his 4 sons, only Victor now survives, & he is badly wounded.

I exchanged a few words with Asquith who looked very pink & cheerful after his successful speech this afternoon to the National Liberal Club. The Archbishop came in, & I talked with him. He said that he had just received a breezy letter from the Bishop of Zanzibar, who had been attending a meeting of the Kikuyuist missionaries, & reported them to be far more afraid of Henson than of himself! I doubt not that his description of me, & their own debased mentality would make those good Evangelicals sufficiently alarmed! Indeed I cannot doubt that the E.C.U. agitation against my appointment has rendered me 'suspect' to the whole pious fraternity : & so far it has for the time being gravely damaged my position in the church. There is a wonderful unanimity of approval of the President's Note to Germany.

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