The Henson Journals

[107]

Thursday, March 20th, 1919.

There was a heavy snow–fall proceeding briskly at day–break. And already the snow lay on the ground to the depth of several inches. The aspect of the world was fantastically beautiful. I read in bed Bishop Robertson's Charge to the Exeter Diocese, delivered in 1910. He says things worth noting:–

"If no other good thing were claimed for Protestantism, the creation of modern Biblical scholarship is its lasting glory. And this the more, that it has worked not for itself merely, but for the common course of knowledge & truth. At the present day the field of Biblical work is becoming more & more a common ground upon which all workers meet, giving & receiving help & light to the advancement of learning which is authoritative for all. Here, as elsewhere, there is growing up a commonwealth of learning with the promise, or at least the possibility, of contributing some day to a breaking down of party walls in other regions also.

We motored with some difficulty on account of the snow to Pulverbatch, where we arrived half an hour late. Here I confirmed 20 candidates, & afterwards lunched with the Vicar, Rev. M. J. Ransome. After lunch we motored through the snow to Church Stretton, where I confirmed 30 candidates. Then we returned to Condover Hall. Snowing hard all the time.

[108]

There came to dinner Mr & Mrs Corbett, from Longnor, a little parish which is united with Leebotwood. The parson is the Rev. H. H. Meakin, whose income is under £200, & who has no vicarage house. The population of the combined parishes is under 400 souls. After the ladies had retired, we had some conversation on land–owning: & Mr Fielden appeared to prove that the profits of the landlord did not now exceed 2 per cent. I was surprised to learn that a farm of 250 acres would require the investment of about £5000 capital.

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