The Henson Journals

[23]

Tuesday, November 9th, 1920.

Mr Gray, the Vicar of Eldon, called to see me with respect to a man from his district who is desirous of being accepted for Ordination. He has been a working miner until a year ago when he entered St John's, Highbury having been encouraged to do so by Bishop Moule. But he is more than 32 years old, married, the father of one child, and (save for his savings which will certainly not carry him through his 3 years course at the theological college) without private means. He has nothing better than an elementary school training to build on. This man presents a difficult problem.

After lunch, I walked with Maish to Escombe, and there visited the most precious little Saxon church, built out of Roman stones from Birchester about the middle of the 7th Century as is supposed. The parson, Hodgson, is an odd man, who was a working miner before his Ordination. I was pleased with his intelligent knowledge of his church, and with his conversation.

Mr Proud, a local solicitor, came to see me on behalf of Ellis & Co., the sitting tenants of the Castle Garden. I made a provisional suggestion that they should rent the whole garden for £65: supply the Castle with fruit & vegetables at market rates: occupy the Lodge & have charge of the Gate.

[24]

Rashdall writes to inquire what my intentions as to the motion on Divorce in the National Assembly may be. Lord Parmoor has a motion "earnestly protesting against the proposal to introduce additional grounds as a justification for divorce." Rashdall is a very courageous but a very tactless orator. He writes:–

"I am not sure what your views are on the subject. I know you do not disapprove of the remarriage of the innocent divorcee in case of adultery, but I am not sure what you think about additional grounds. I have slowly and reluctantly arrived at the conclusion that the majority report of the Commission is right. If you agree with me, will you speak? They will listen to a Bishop."

I told him in reply that I did not hold marriage to be indissoluble, and that I did not interpret our Lord's words in St Matthew as if they were words of a statute, but I had an unhappy feeling that behind the present clamour for a change of the Marriage Laws there was a great volume of hypocritical self–indulgence. However, I did not intend to give a silent vote, and I would do my best to secure him a hearing. It will be wholly unfortunate to be compelled to "antagonize" all the orthodox, both Catholick & Protestant, over this miserable matter of divorce, but I could not honourably let the issue go by default, nor could I refuse support to Rashdall.

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