The Henson Journals

[81]

Friday, December 24th, 1920.

A stiff chapter of Wicksteed was relieved in the last paragraph of the following story:

"Some two years before his death, we learn, when his great work the Summa Theologioe was still incomplete, though well advanced in its 3rd & concluding section, as Thomas was celebrating Mass in Naples, he had some experience the nature of which is not further specified, which made him put his pen & inkhorn on the shelf & never write another word of his treatise. When he was reminded of the incomplete state of his great work, & was urged to go on with it, he only replied, "I have seen that which makes all that I have written & taught look small to me" (p. 391).

I spent the day in composing a sermon for use tomorrow. It is a question whether it is worth while to expend so much time & labour on preparing sermons for delivering to such a congregation as I shall have to address in St Anne's. But I shrink from sinking into the crowded class of "extemporaneous" preachers. After lunch I walked with Ernest in the Park for an hour. After dinner time the Church Lads Brigade sang carols outside the Castle, & were rewarded with 5/–. Maish went off for Christmas Day & Sunday. He returns on Monday. The weather today has been damp & unpleasant but not cold. In the Durham paper the appointment of two new hon: canons is announced. The general impression I have received is that the choice I have made is a good one in the judgement of the clergy & public.

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