The Henson Journals

[169]

Wednesday, May 5th, 1920.

I woke early, & was compensated by the spectacle of a most glorious sunrise. An "awful rose of dawn" filled the eastern sky. Framed by the noble avenue, & glowing through the bars of the fine iron gates which closed it, the rising Sun was a majestic sight, but it passed almost at once into a heavy bank of minatory clouds, & left me with a noble memory & grave fears.

I started to read such books as were in my bag. I started on "Theophilus Anglicanus", once an accepted manual of Anglican teaching, & soon had enough of that dreary & precise dogmatism. Then I turned to "George Tyrrell's Letters", which I found more to my taste.

I left the house a few minutes before 10 a.m., & motored by way of Shrewsbury, Westbury, Worthen, & Marton to Middleton where I confirmed about 30 candidates, & then dedicated war–memorials – a Cross in the Churchyard, & stained–glass windows to the memory of Edward Offley Wakeman. Sir Offley W. & other members of the family were in church. Then I motored back to Worthen & lunched with Prebendary Alford. I confirmed about 50 candidates, & then returned to Condover Hall, where I arrived at 6.10 p.m.

The Archbishop's amendment that the newly–legalized marriages shall be celebrated at the registry offices was defeated by one vote. Rather to my surprise, & wholly to my disgust, the 'Times' has a leader strongly hostile to his Grace's proposal. It speaks threateningly of Disestablishment as appreciably hastened by it, as if the unamended Bill did not actually necessitate that catastrophe.

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