The Henson Journals

[353]

Trinity Sunday, May 22nd, 1921.

The morning was brilliant, but its promise was not sustained, and the evening was clouded and chilly. Knight, Wynne–Willson, and I motored to Durham in good time for the Ordination in the Cathedral at 10 a.m. The service occupied 2 3/4 hours, and was very impressive. Wynne Willson preached the sermon. I ordained one deacon & 8 priests. We lunched with Mrs Quirk; afterwards I saw the Bishop of Jarrow who was confined to bed with a return of jaundice. Then Knight, Cruickshank, J. G. Wilson, Clayton, and I motored to Houghton–le–Spring. Here I instituted, and inducted, Knight to the Rectory. There was a considerable congregation, and a suggestive service. After looking at the House & Garden, we returned to Durham, leaving Knight in his parish. We had tea with the Hows in the Bailey. Miss Christopher was there. She says that the reason why the girls from her training college are unwilling to become teachers in church schools is the inferiority of the school buildings, and that this circumstance can be truly alleged of the majority of church schools. She expresses great concern at the irreligious temper of most of the girl–students. Christianity seems suddenly to have lost attractiveness in the case of young women. This is rather an alarming phenomenon, & presents a problem which is hardly to be solved by offering ordination of women to the diaconate! We returned to the Castle, arriving about 6 p.m.

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