The Henson Journals

[111]

Thursday, January 15th, 1920.

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[Reading: "The Spirit" ed. Streeter.]

I read through Hooker's Preface to the Eccl. Polity. It is remarkable how clearly he perceived the incompatibility of the presbyterian system with popular liberty. Calvin's desire to protect religion from the instability of popular rule was, he suggests, the original motive & sufficient apology for his experiment. Hooker's analysis of the agitation by which the Genevan system was advocated far and wide is extraordinarily acute and true. It has been illustrated very strikingly by the "Life and Liberty" agitators.His comments on the prominent part played by women is very noteworthy. They also are quite relevant to any just criticism of our latest agitation. In all this, Hooker is no more of the 16th century than of the 20th: he writes of that which changes not – human nature, its ardours & follies, its blindness & sin.

Ella with Fearne & Ernest dressed themselves fantastically, and went off to a dance got up by Mrs James for the County Hospital. I read through Adeney's Article on 'Nonconformity' in the Encyclopaedia of Religion & Ethics. It is very well balanced and fair.

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