The Henson Journals

[5]

19th Sunday after Trinity, October 26th, 1919.

I celebrated the Holy Communion in the Cathedral at 8. a.m. After breakfast I wrote to Ernest, sending belated thanks for the books on Byron, which he sent me a week ago. I went to the Cathedral for Mattins, & heard a very fine sermon from Simpson. The text was 2. Cor. IV.5. "For we preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, & ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake". He used very vehement language in repudiating "professionalism" &c., & incidentally declared that he had voted for the Labour Party, & wd do so again. Probably this is the only part of the sermon (which was admirable in form & substance) which will be remembered. After service I walked along the river with him, & had much talk. He is quiet rigid in his attitude towards the Virgin Birth, therein surprising me for he had suggested other possibilities.

D. Maples & his wife came to tea. He has been hearing bad accounts of the financial outlook. It is fairly evident that a considerable increase of the income tax is in contemplation. S. Peter's was densely crowded at 6.30 p.m. when I preached on "Marriage". The service is heartily congregational, but why the Vicar "makes hay" of the Prayers in the Prayer–book I cannot imagine. There seems a temper of lawlessness for its own sake abroad in the Church.

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