The Henson Journals

[143]

Sexagesima, Sunday, January 30th, 1921.

I preached twice, first, in Westminster Abbey, and next, in Westminster Chapel. In the one I took for my subject that which January 30th suggested: &, in the other, I delivered an old & much revised sermon contrasting Ecclesiastes & St Paul. I think that both sermons were effective: whether they were also edifying, I cannot conjecture. There was an immense congregation at the evening service: the great building was filled to its utmost capacity, & it holds 2,500 people. I was much impressed in the singing. My sermon took just 30 minutes to deliver. Afterwards, there were several persons who waited to see me e.g. Sir R. Barron & his wife: Lionel Box: an excellent woman named Badham who was a relation of William's, Barnes & his wife accompanied me to the Chapel. As we were leaving Dean's Yard, Bishop Brent accosted me. I lunched with Sir Albert Spicer, & met a crowd of his children & their wives. There came to supper Canon Hepher and Nicholson, the organist of the Abbey. I am afraid I did most of the talking, being excited & over–wrought. I should thing that the combination of the Abbey & a Congregational Church on the same Sunday was unique in any clergyman's experience. I think my preaching, which was altogether non–polemical, will probably do good. At least it will have the effect of making it more than ever difficult for our Episcopalian fanaticks to stop intercourse with Non–episcopalians.

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