The Henson Journals

[13]

Saturday, June 5th, 1920.

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I left Hereford at 9.55 a.m., & arrived in Cambridge at 6 p.m. travelling from Liverpool Street very stupidly by a slow train, & so missing Burkitt & the car, who were naturally meeting the fast train which arrived at 6.8 p.m. There was a pleasant dinner–party, & a very good dinner. I was particularly glad to meet Professors Sorley & Bethune–Baker. Mrs Sorley is a sister of George Adam Smith.

The idea occurred to me that I might seize the opportunity of being in Cambridge to lay the foundation of a connection with the University in the matter of getting suitable Ordination candidates. So I privately told Burkitt & Bethune–Baker that I had accepted Durham, & that I wanted their help in recruiting.

Mrs Sorley told me that W. P. Ker had sent her the following couplet:

The Mitre lights after suspension

Upon the head of Herbert Henson.

The facts are inaccurately stated for "inhibition" is not so severe a punishment as "suspension", & I was only "inhibited"! It is difficult to imagine a more complete indication of Anglican confusion than the fact that a clergyman "inhibited" in 1909, and disregarding the sentence, is himself raised to the Episcopate in 1918, and in spite of a mighty clamour of protest is preferred to one of the greatest positions on the Hierarchy in 1920! There is no doubt that the C. of E. is so incoherent & divided, as really neither to think nor to act as one body.

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