The Henson Journals

[77]

Tuesday, February 18th, 1919.

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I spent the morning in writing letters, and then the Archdeacon came to lunch. After this, I presided for an hour and a half over the inspectors of religious instruction in the elementary schools. Then I discussed the Diocesan Messenger with Parker, whom I have asked to be Editor. Then I sawed wood for an hour, & did my letters with Willson. I read through the E.C.U. criticism of the Selborne Scheme. It is carefully composed with much expert knowledge and not a little adroitness. But it is vitiated by one fatal and pervading fallacy. The Reformation is ignored throughout. It is everywhere assumed that the old names carried the old senses. There was no spiritual revolution in the XVIth century, altering religious values and giving a new direction to religious development. This shallow & fictionary manner of treating ecclesiastical history is characteristic of all these so–called "Catholicks". They live in a complete 'fool's paradise" of make–believe. They are isolated from the general conscience, and all but unintelligible to the general mind. But from their own perverse standpoint their position appears to be unassailable. Their reasoning is close and accurate: their definitions are precise: their knowledge of detail is astonishing: their conclusions are equally inevitable and absurd.

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