The Henson Journals

[36]

Tuesday, March 28th, 1922.

Was not this love indeed?

We men may say more, swear more: but indeed

Our shows are more than will, for still we prove

Much in our vows, but little in our love

"Twelfth night"

Today I have to make a speech on the unhappiest subject in the world, that namely which is implied by a Rescue Home for Women & Girls. I dislike the subject infinitely, but as Bishop I cannot wholly avoid it. The horrible obsession of "social workers" with venereal disease & hateful proposals of the doctors, to many of whom there is no moral aspect to sexual irregularity, make public speaking on the matter as difficult as it is invidious.

In woeful weather Clayton and I left the castle at 1.30 p.m. and motored over the worst road in the county to Sunderland. Here I addressed a very small meeting in the Town Hall in the interest of St Agatha's Rescue Home. Then we had tea with Sykes and his family. We went to the Mayor's before going to the Confirmation in a poor little church, St Peter's, tucked away in very mean streets. It was densely crowded. I confirmed 80 persons. We returned to the Mayor's house for the night. He talked rather alarmingly about the communist movement in Sunderland. He says there is a school – Proletarian Sunday School – with about 300 children, & promised to send me specific information.

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