The Henson Journals

[83]

Monday, February 24th, 1919.

Pearce's Consecration

The collect for St Matthias's Day will always have a curious interest for me, for it was used against me as a suitable prayer for the use of those who would hinder my consecration. By obvious implication I was comparable with "the traitor Judas" from whose like the Church was to be 'always preserved'. Now, after bearing the yoke of the episcopate for a whole year, I go to take a share in laying the same yoke on Ernest Pearce. The reminiscences of the Bishops who refused to take part in my consecration must needs be mingled when they find themselves associated with me in the consecration of another. They will hardly have been reconciled to my presence on the Bench by their experience of me during the past year, for I have been mostly in conflict with them all the time, and am on the verge of another open collision this week.

The service in the Abbey was very solemn & impressive. There was no waiting fear of some explosion of fanaticism as last year when I was consecrated. There were, I think, 12 bishops assisting the Archbishop in the laying on of hands. The sermon was preached by Edmund Pearce, & was suitable. We lunched with the Gows. Later I went to the Nursing Home, and had tea with Kitty, who looked very frail & pretty. I did not stay long, as I feared to do her injury by over–fatigue in talking.

---