The Henson Journals

[227]

Tuesday, October 21st, 1919.

I spent the morning in the Athenaeum writing letters etc.: and, after lunch, I walked with Ernest to Lambeth for the Bishops' Meeting. The discussion continued, with a brief interlude for tea, until 7 p.m., but did not lead up to anything practical.

I was interested in the remarks about the prospects of the Enabling Bill, which fell from both the Archbishops. It appears doubtful whether the Bill will be brought into the House of Commons in the course of this session: and, if it should be postponed to next year, its whole fortunes seem to grow doubtful. We agreed to ask the Abp. of C. in consultation with his brother of York, & the Welsh bishops, to take steps to constitute a new Province for Wales: but what those steps shd be neither his Grace nor the bishops appeared to have any clear notion. Then we got on to the really urgent question of the Poverty of the Clergy. The Bishop of Wakefield gave a rather alarming account of a new clerical association which is out to block every effort of the Episcopate. I interjected an inquiry whether this were the Life & Liberty movement: & all their lordships laughed, being mostly members of that society. I dined with mine host, and went early to bed after a futile & wasted day.

---