The Henson Journals

[61]

Monday, July 14th, 1919.

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I wrote to George. After breakfast I wrote to Mr Macfadyen repeating my refusal of the invitation to go to America for the "Interchange Commission". After stating the specific engagements which prohibited my acceptance, I continued: –

"The situation in this country is so uncertain & unstable that, even if I were not in bondage to duties which are themselves, as I have shown, almost prohibitory, I shd find it difficult to decide on a protracted absence. In some ways I reach my refusal with real regret, for not only do I retain a very pleasant recollection of my previous visits to the U.S.A., but also, as you know, I am more than willing to exert myself in any direction which may tend to unify English–speaking Christianity. The situation within the C. of E. has become very strained & threatening. There is a conflict of first principles, & the question is again emerging, as in the middle of the 17th century, & at its end, & again in the middle of the 19th, whether the C. of E. shall stand with, or against, the principles of the Reformation. I may not be absent from my post here at this juncture".

That ought to be accepted as a final refusal to go.

[62] [symbol]

After lunch I motored to Ganarew, and dedicated a Shrine to the memory of soldiers fallen in the war. There were but 6 names on it, but the whole population of the parish is less than 150. The situation was romantically beautiful, & the parson, who combines with his parochial duty the work of assistant master of Monmouth Grammar School, had brought over the school choir. The singing was remarkably good. I myself was the only failure, for my address was stilted & out of touch! As I was speaking two chars à banks full of miners passed. They went very slow, & all bared their heads.

At 6 p.m. the Archdeacons came to see me. It is evident that a measure of soreness exists between them & the Rural Deans. The latter claim to be the Bishop's officers, & refuse to "devil for" the former. But there is a certain inconvenience involved in the Bishop's receiving from the Rural Deans communications about Archdeacon's business. I must say something when they meet here on Wednesday. It appears to be the case that the new Vicar of All SS. has "reserved" the Sacrament, & hangs out a notice of the fact. What ought I to do? I do not feel called upon to initiate proceedings, but if my attention is formally called to the fact, I could hardly avoid action without failing in my duty.

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