The Henson Journals

[119]

Thursday, August 14th, 1919.

I find it in my mind to regret that I was never grounded in philosophy, so as to move easily in the hag–ridden territory of philosophical discussion. For theology, (which is the philosophy of the uneducated,) now fails to serve its proper purpose: and even the uneducated have no more use for it. They too would be philosophers, and have a notion of the sub–structures on which the theologians have reared their systems. They know enough to doubt what alone they are taught in the churches, not enough reasonably to believe or disbelieve it. Rashdall's criticisms of Pringle Pattison leave me uncertain as to my own understanding of either. When I read them separately, I think I agree with both, but when I set one beside the other I fall into doubt. There is no independent philosophic knowledge of my own which shall make me able to weigh and decide their respective contentions. The apparent and admitted futility of philosophical speculations may, perhaps, go far to reconcile me to an ignorance, which is practically embarrassing and personally humiliating. To confess one's self as Agnostic may be as modest as it is properly unavoidable, but it has a disconcerting effect when one bears the character & makes the claim of a religious teacher. There is no longer any church of believers in which the assumptions of faith can be securely taken for granted by the ministry.

[120] [symbol]

The weather today has been perfect. After lunch I walked on the hill with Griffith–Jones. The old Barochan Cross is a finer specimen of its kind than I had imagined. It has been reproduced as a monument at the grave of the late baronet. Stephen & his wife with two friends appeared at lunch. One of the latter, a soldier named Green, who had served in France & Mesopotamia, was very positive that there was no real foundations for the allegations of outrage against the German troops: and he was supported in this attitude by Stephen Renshaw, who said the Belgian population greatly preferred the German to the English officers. So complete a reversal of the general judgement des not command my belief, but I doubt not that the ill–conduct of the Germans has been greatly exaggerated. Mr David Murray, Lady Renshaw's brother, came to dinner. He is a well–known antiquary, and talked very interestingly on many subjects. Among these, was the water–supply of Australia. He said that the artesian wells produced water of a high temperature, and heavily charged with chemicals. It was thought also that the supply was limited.

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