The Henson Journals

[12]

Saturday, June 11th, 1921.

I received an affectionate letter from George, written from New York, and dated May 30th. His ship is held up by the desertion of 20 of the Chinese crew. He describes a service at the Seamen's Institute:–

" There must have been between 3–400 men in the congregation, most of them Britishers & not a few from other European Countries & the singing was fine. The Clergyman made most of the congregation feel bitter, as he talked far too much about America, & ran down the European nations. Also he spoke at some length on Prohibition, & he was certain that ere long England would have followed the fine example of this fine free Country. I don't think he knows what the working man in England would do without his glass of beer."

Mrs Clayton motored with me into Durham, where I presided in the Chapter House over a meeting of the Diocesan Conference. The proceedings were certainly not dull. Thanks to the intervention of the Archdeacon, the proposal to appoint a paid secretary was adjourned. After tea with the Bishop of Jarrow, I returned to the Castle picking up Sam Adams on the way.

I was surprised to observe the loud applause which greeted some crudely socialistic remarks made in the conference. There were indications that my severe attitude towards Ordination candidates is resented, & that my condemnation of the Strike has not added to my popularity.

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