The Henson Journals
Tue 14 October 1919
Volume 25, Pages 218 to 219
[218]
Tuesday, October 14th, 1919.
My list of important sermons grows threateningly long:–
| 1. | Canterbury Cathedral | on | October 19th |
| 2. | S. Peter's, Hereford | " | " 26th (Marriage) |
| 3. | All Souls College | " | November 2nd |
| 4. | Holy Trinity, Hereford | " | " 9th (Temperance) |
| 5. | Hereford Cathedral | " | " 16th (Liberty) |
| 6. | Gloucester | " | " 23rd |
| 7. | Manchester | " | " 30th (twice) |
| 8. | – | " | December 7th |
| 9. | Bristol | " | " 14th |
The composition of these sermons makes quite sufficient demand on my power of 'giving out' without adding an Article in the Edinburgh Review, & the work on the Swedish lectures. The choice of subjects is not an easy business for it is straitly conditioned by the limitations of my knowledge and by the purpose, place, occasion etc of my preaching. My own interest must count for something, and the particular requirement of the time. Exegetic preaching is rarely possible, for the appearance of a well–known Bishop in an important pulpit is assumed to be of significance. It must imply that he intends some sort of a 'pronouncement': the congregation comes together in a temper of expectation, and is apt to resent a sermon of the conventional type.
[219] [symbol]
My dear Rushton,
Both your churchwardens appear to support your desire to introduce Incense into the services of the parish church. They are the legal exponents of the wishes of the parishioners, and I am bound therefore to assume that the 2nd of the two conditions stated in my letter of October 2nd has been satisfied.
In these circumstances I must needs think that candour & fairness require me to tell you that I shall acquiesce in your action, if you do what your Church Council requests.
Believe me,
Yours sincerely
H. H. Hereford
After lunch I motored to Stockton–on–Teme, & called on Prebendary Stallard–Penoyre. Later I wrote to him offering him the position of Diocesan Missioner. He is, perhaps, rather old for the place, but he is persona grata to the clergy, and an honest, though rather narrow man. He has had much experience of rural life, & will be able to give much good advice to the rural incumbents. Also, I wrote to Rushton, "acquiescing in" his lawless incense!