The Henson Journals

[60]

4th Sunday after Trinity, July 13th, 1919.

A glorious summer's morning. I didn't go to church at 8 a.m., as I had to prepare notes for my sermon at Pembridge. At 10 a.m., I started in the car for Pembridge, and arrived at the church in good time for service at 11 a.m. Mr Green–Pryce, the Rector, was at the gate to receive me, & the bells rang merrily from the quaint belfry. The service was Mattins & Ante–Communion with sermon. Sir Elliott Wood read the lessons very well, and I preached from Acts XVII.29. "Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art & device of man". There was a fair congregation from the village. I counted 40 grown men. But the population, which is, however, scattered, is said to amount to as many as 995. I lunched at the Rectory, where were also Mr & Mrs Beeby from Old Radnor. After lunch I returned to Hereford. After a short interval I motored to Ledbury, and there preached at Evensong in the parish church. The congregation was not so large as the Vicar's assurances had led me to expect. Bateman went with me at his own request. The sermon was an old one on Jacob's dream. I motored back to Hereford immediately after service, and arrived in the Palace about 9 p.m.

---