The Henson Journals

[122]

Tuesday, April 1st, 1919.

A sharp frost introduced a bright sky. I left the Baldwins in Ella's charge, and went off in the motor to Churchstoke. I left the Palace at 10.45 a.m., and arrived at Churchstoke Vicarage about 1.30 p.m. In the car I read through the volume "The Church of England, its nature & future", in which the lecture I delivered in King's College is included. After lunch, Lushington & I motored to Chisbury, where was meeting of the clergy of the Rural Deanery. We discussed the Baptismal Franchise. With one exception everybody approved it. Then I visited the parish church, a fine open structure with the piers of the nave inclining outwards very notably. In the Vicarage I was shown the chained library of one Lewis, 17th century Vicar, which is said to include some of George Herbert's books. I was interested to see that it included many foreign divines, notably Calvin: This is the country of Lord Herbert of Chirbury & his saintly brother.

The clergy of this deanery appeared to be respectable and well–intentional men, but dull, very dull, save for Dunn of Montgomery & Lushington of Churchstoke, both of whom are in charge of fairly large parishes. This confirms me in my belief that the very small & isolated cures react badly on the incumbents who have charge of them.

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