The Henson Journals

[47]

Thursday, November 25th, 1920.

I essayed to prepare a sermon for Stockton on Sunday, but with woefully small success. Then the Revd G. E. Brigstoke, Curate of Shildon, came to see me, and to explain why he desired to leave that parish after less than 3 months residence. It appears to be a case of temperamental antipathy between him and his vicar. I told him to do nothing hastily, & hinted that I might want him shortly for a difficult work. In speaking thus I was thinking of Birtley, where a new district ought to be constituted. After lunch I went to Durham, and presided at a meeting of the Diocesan Conference Committee. We agreed upon the agenda for the "Business Conference" which is to meet in the Chapter House on Saturday, Feb. 26th. On my return to the Castle I went through the Reports of the Examining Chaplains on the work of the Ordination Candidates. I rejected 1 deacon, and 3 priests. Those whom I accepted were mostly of very poor quality. This is the weak point of the diocese: & I hardly see how it is to be righted.

I paid the poor rate (£64.15.9): the district rate which I paid yesterday was £41:0:2: and the water rate £9:9:0. This is a total for the half–year of £115:4:11, and for the year, £230:9:10 – a formidable sum. I have yet to pay the Mortgage charges, the Firstfruits & Tenths, the Convocation charge, and the rent for the Inner Park. These will be not less than £350. Then there are the Income Tax & Super Tax!!

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