The Henson Journals

[72]

Tuesday, March 2nd, 1920.

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The post brought two acceptable letters, the one from Swinnerton Dyer at Westhope assuring me that the hatchet had been definitely buried there, & the other from the Vicar writing very pleasantly about what he calls "the great service" in Peterchurch on Sunday afternoon. He writes:

"I am sure it was a very auspicious beginning of your episcopal visit to this part of the Golden Valley, and the great congregation was a decided expression of confidence in your ministry in this portion of the Diocese. I have never witnessed such a gathering at a Confirmation service before, & I believe it will the beginning of a much needed stimulated interest in the Church hereabouts. Two of the men said "and now it only remains for Mr Holland to keep in touch", but that is the difficulty. We are going to try very hard. I hear on the all sides today how much the service was appreciated, & thought you might care to know."

This is pleasant reading, & goes to show that I may not have been wholly mistaken when I allowed myself to think on Sunday that there was a friendlier feeling in the clergy. Holland, the Vicar of Peterchurch, has been no less than 21 years in the parish. He is well reported of by the Archdeacon, & certainly made a good impression on me. There is no vicarage in his parish, but he occupies rather a tumble–down house belonging to Mr Powell, the patron.

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