The Henson Journals

[85]

Wednesday, February 26th, 1919.

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I walked to Westminster, & attended a meeting of the "Joint Committee" on the Reform of the Lower House of the Convocation. Then followed the Council. I intervened on the clause about the "inherent" authority of the Episcopate, & there was some brisk debating. Many members congratulated me on my speech yesterday, Sir Edward Clarke was especially effusive. This morning I could not refrain from having a dig at the Abp. "It wd appear that his Grace and I agree in the region of fact, but differ in the sphere of prophecy. Prophets, the most respected not less than the least regarded, must acquiesce in the necessity of referring to the Future the vindication of their prophetic character. Time will show whether the Archbishop's comparatively optimistic forecast is better grounded than my more sombre vaticinations". The Bishop of Thetford showed me a telegram announcing the death of the Dean of Norwich. Beeching and I were very intimate friends at Westminster while we were both canons, & we have always been on affectionate terms. His death makes life poorer. In the afternoon we discussed the question whether women should be members of the Assembly, &, of course, we decided that they should. Ralph, Ella, & I dined with the Campbell Dodgsons very pleasantly. There was a young engineer–capitalist there, who spoke with much intelligence on labour questions.

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