The Henson Journals

[77]

3rd Sunday in Advent, December 11th, 1921.

Give me, O Lord, the spirit of pastorate, and the assurance of Thy commission, for in truth both have failed in me, and I move doubtfully as in the night. Show Thou me the way that I should walk in for I lift up my soul unto Thee. Be with me this day when I speak words of commission to Thy servant in Darlington, and validate my action, for "apart from Thee I can do nothing". Come into my own heart, O Saviour, and let Thy Peace reign in my thoughts. Let me prove the truth of Thy word to S. Paul, when in great distress he prayed thrice to Thee against his "thorn in the flesh", and prayed in vain. "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness." Fulfil to me this day Thy promise to Thy Church never to depart from Thy servants "even unto the end of the world", and grant me the comfort of Thy Presence all the days of my life. Amen

Clayton and I left the Castle at 9.30 a.m., and motored to St Luke's, Darlington, where I instituted the Revd S. F. Warth to that vicarage. I preached, and celebrated the Holy Communion, at which at least 100 persons communicated. We lunched with Drury, the Vicar of St Cuthbert's, who gave me a good account of the Irish curate. Then we motored by way of Stockton to Hartlepool, where, owing to the badness of the roads, we arrived about 10 minutes after time. I preached to a congregation of Freemasons & their women–folk, it being the 75th anniversary of St Helen's Lodge. The collection was in aid of the Masonic Restoration for rebuilding the Galilee Chapel of St Hilda's Church. My text was Zechariah xiv.20.21, & my sermon was too elaborate for the congregation, & too religious for the occasion! We motored back to Auckland after the service; Clayton dropped off at Eldon to preach in the mission church, and I reached the Castle at 6.10 p.m. William could not get to the service either in Darlington, or in Hartlepool, a circumstance which troubled me, though it is true to argue that, inasmuch as his absence from Divine service was occasioned by his evident duty, no guilt attached to him on its account.

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