The Henson Journals
Sat 18 October 1919
Volume 25, Page 223
[223]
Saturday, October 18th, 1919.
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I had some talk with Jack Talbot after breakfast, & then revised the sermon for tomorrow.
The "Times" reports the decision on the Bredwardine case. A very strong Bench decides that churchwardens must reside in the parish. Thus Compston is condemned & he will be both humiliated and impoverished. It is not improbable that he will lose heart, & throw up his living. I begin to think that in sending him to that parish I made a mistake.
I wandered into the City, & walked round the Dame John where a busy sale of horses, cattle & sheep was proceeding. Then (having the Archdeacon's keys) I went into the cathedral, and walked about it, observing & reflecting. What will the future of these immense & inscrutable monuments be? All over them is the limitless pride of nobles & prelates. They enshrine a challenge to "democracy" in every corner, and are almost insolently contemptuous of everything that is utilitarian. What use has "Labour" for these glorious 'sepulchres'?
We had a great talk after tea about ecclesiastical and religious questions. Talbot bore himself with admirable temper, though, of course, all I say must needs be odious to him. Bernard Holland came to dinner, looking more cadaverous & spectral than ever!