The Henson Journals

[183]

Friday, September 26th, 1919.

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I took Mr Wardle to see All Saints. He showed some interest in the chains of the chained library, and in the timber–work of the roofs. Then I showed him round the Cathedral, where he brightened up at the sight of the "Mappa Mundi", & was curious over the old episcopal chair. He confided to me his opinion that Lichfield was the finest of all the English Cathedrals! I asked him if the artisans cared for these glorious buildings; & he answered that he thought they lay so far outside their lives that they had no use for them. He went back to London by the 12.50 p.m. train.

Two clergymen came to lunch on business about their parishes – Rev. E. K. Venner, Rector of Monnington–on–Wye, and Rev. W. F. Serjeantson, Curate of Acton Burnell. The one wants an exchange; the other is in doubt about accepting the living of Frodesley. After they had gone, I wrote to the Archbishop asking for his consent to my licensing Serjeantson to live out of Frodesley. Then Ernest & I motored to Bromyard, & I preached to a rather small congregation at a Harvest Festival. The Vicar, Rev. J. F. S. Pritchitt, is a High Churchman of a conventional type, and has rather an obstinate face. He has set up a war–memorial in the side–chapel which causes (I suspect) some resentment in his parish. The congregation did not exceed 300 out of a population of 1600 at a Harvest Thanksgiving! William burned his face by the explosion of an acetylene lamp just before we started for our return journey. We were back at the Palace by 10 p.m.

[184] [symbol]

The "Times" contains a remarkable letter from the Bishop of Zanzibar in which he threatens to exercise episcopal functions in every English diocese whose Bishop has adopted the Bishop of Norwich's modest scheme for exchanging pulpits. The letter is almost comical in its extravagance, and its reception by the "Catholicks" will be an interesting & serviceable disclosure of their attitude. Gore and Talbot must needs be considerably embarrassed by their ardent friend & disciple. It is not to be supposed that Zanzibar has acted without much deliberation with his friends, and it is certain that his attitude in the Kikuyu episode endeared him to a large body of ardent folk. These will be slow to abandon so acceptable a leader. Moreover I suspect that there is a considerable volume of fanaticism, which has with difficulty been suppressed for some years past, & which is only waiting for a good opportunity in order to flare out quite irrepressibly. Darwell Stone's "League of Catholic Priests" is said to number as many as 700 English clergymen: that would probably include all the "Zanzibarbarians" and a good many others who would think twice before passing from "tall talking" to schismatical action. This is only 1 in 30 of the established clergy at most, & probably not more than half of them would be ready to face the sacrifices involved in secession. The Church could stand that.

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