The Henson Journals

[350]

Thursday, May 19th, 1921.

Yesterday the papers announced the death of Vesey Knox. He was two years my junior. I really liked him, & I think, he really liked me. Tonight I received a telegram reporting the death of Freeman, the head–verger in the Cathedral. He was a very loyal friend of mine. I shall not forget his affectionate telegram on my appointment as Bishop of Durham. My life is emptying. After an early lunch I motored to West Hartlepool, and went to Christ Church Vicarage. There MacDonald brought to me the Roman Catholick woman who desires to rejoin the Church of England. I would not allow her confirmation as she had been confirmed by the Papists, but I thought it right to satisfy myself that she realized what she was doing before sanctioning her admission to the Holy Communion. Then Mr Maurice Gibb came, & explained the projected developments of new works &c in the neighbourhood. After he had gone, Macdonald and I motored to Bellasis, and saw the site for the church, & the plans. After tea with the Churchwarden we returned to W. Hartlepool, where I left Macdonald, & went back to the Castle. Here I found that the Ordinandi had arrived. After dinner, at which Church's Discipline of the Christian Character was read, there was Evensong in the Chapel, when Knight gave his first address.

---