The Henson Journals

[10]

Saturday, October 22nd, 1921.

Rain fell without intermission all day, and had effect in reducing the attendance at the Diocesan Conference. However a fair number of clergy & laity came together in the chapter–house. After attending mattins in the Cathedral, I presided at the Conference, which, with an interval for lunch sate from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. My address was listened to closely, and applauded at the end. The motion approving the appointment of a lay secretary to the Finance Board at a stipend of £400 per annum was carried without difficulty, and then Rashdall read his paper on ecclesiastical courts. He was well received, & well listened to, though his delivery is so bad that I doubt whether many of the company could hear his paper. After lunching at the Deanery, the Conference resumed. Moulsdale read a paper which was clever but shallow & unscrupulous. I made some observations which were well received by the Conference. Then Knowlden brought forward the question of Divorce. He was supported by Miers in a vulgar windy speech. After some remarks from me the motion was withdrawn. I had tea in the Deanery, & [11] sate there until it was time to go to the Johnston School, where I had undertaken to unveil a memorial. There was a gathering of parents & "old boys". The little function was quite unusually impressive, &, indeed, became so evidently a religious service that I concluded it with the Benediction. Then we motored back to Durham through a hurricane & torrents of rain. At one point our advance was almost hindered by a tree that had been blown down. The Rashdalls and Miss Higson left the Castle.