The Henson Journals

[60]

Wednesday, July 28th, 1920.

I read the Times luxuriously in bed before getting up, & also re–read a lecture of Headlam's. Then I breakfasted in the Athenaeum, and wrote my letters before going to the Conference. The whole morning was wasted over a silly report on organizing Provinces &c. This "bored me stark". After lunch, Lang introduced the Reunion Committee's Report in a windy & rather canty speech. Then the American bishops went off to attend the function of presenting Lincoln's statue; and the rest of us settled down to consider the Report on Women's Work. The Resolutions proposed were of a revolutionary character. I made such opposition as I could, but with small success. The feminist tide runs strongly among the Bishops, but the proposal frankly to transfer women from the laity to the clergy startles and displeases the High Churchmen. Zanzibar gave expression to this feeling. The "Talbot" set, however, are vehemently feminist, & the Archbishop himself is clearly in that camp. I dined in the Athenaeum with Burge. George Adam Smith was there, and W. P. Ker. The latter promised to attend my enthronement on October 30th. After dinner I wrote my diary, and spent the time in the Club until I returned to Garland's. I count the days until this precious conference is over!

---