The Henson Journals

[99]

Monday, August 4th, 1919.

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My dear Bishop,

I have been hors de combat for the past fortnight with a recurrence of that painful & disgusting ailment wh prostrated me last year. The heats of Hereford are plainly too much for me as yet. By this time next year, the increase of the income–tax will probably have made it quite impossible for us to live in this house: & we shall in that event seek a cottage on the healthier slopes of the Clee Hills in Shropshire! Now for my object in writing. The Bp. of Manchester has the idea (wh certainly accords with my own view of what is desirable) that we, the liberal & Evangelical Bps, ought to meet the situation created by recent developments in Convocation & Parliament by putting forward a statement indicating to our own clergy what we, as Bishops, are prepared to approve & allow within our own dioceses in the matter of co–operation with non–episcopalians. He suggested certain situations in wh communion might be conceded: I add that we must certainly include also the matters roughly indicated by the rather foolish formula "exchange of pulpits". I have urged also that we shd introduce our specific permissions with a few sentences of explanation. In form the document wd be addressed to our own clergy: in fact it wd be a public pronouncement of the first importance. It wd answer effectively Gore & his faction: wd provide a significant & timely commentary [100] [symbol] on the negative clause of the elector's declaration: and might even (I hardly dare hope as much) edge out the fanaticks into the Scarlet Woman's arms!

If we cd succeed in combining even half–a–dozen bps in a practical policy, it wd provide something to wh the right–minded might rally. Streeter is just back from Swanwick, where the returned chaplains & demobilised soldiers were much in evidence. He assures me that such a lead as I have suggested is precisely what they are longing for, & he thinks (and here I incline to agree) that such a pronouncement as I have described wd be received with large agreement & even enthusiasm. Surely we can count on these:– Manchester, Hereford, Bristol, Worcester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Durham, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Truro, and possibly Norwich, Oxford, Ripon, & Liverpool.

There is a further consideration very weighty in my eyes. If we are to acquiesce in reservation etc. by the "Catholicks", we must take some positive action wh makes clear our own position, & restores the balance of things. You will take my meaning, though the phrasing is a trifle cryptic. Do brace yourself for a bold course: think, & when the time comes be ready to act. If we cd agree generally, we might manage a meeting of Bps.

Yours affly,

H. H. Hereford

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I wrote the above to the Bishop of Bristol. He is rather timorous, though at bottom sound. The main rocks in the way are two: (1) the notion that as the Abp. is arranging yet another conference, we ought to abide its issue before taking action for ourselves; (2) the dread of friction within our own dioceses. Still I think there is a chance that a sufficient number will bring themselves to the point of making a venture.

I got up for lunch, & afterwards did some indispensable clearance in my study. The atmosphere became exceedingly sultry & enervating, with the usual consequence to my head & temper. There can be no doubt that these "Hereford heats" are very depressing to body & soul. If the income tax is raised next year – a contingency which must be allowed to be extremely probable – I shall be unable to continue residence in this house. In that event we must make an effort to discover some suitable small house which we can occupy in a vigourous air. The Palace under the combined charge of Bateman at the Lodge, & Jones in the garden, would serve as an episcopal office. I think nobody will be surprised if we have to leave in view of the rapid and continuing increase of taxes, rates, & prices. In any event, "necessity is relentless".

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