The Henson Journals
Wed 28 June 1922
Volume 32, Pages 183 to 184
[183]
Wednesday, June 28th, 1922.
The proposal to revise the Prayer–book might seem truly fundamental, for the issues raised by the treatment of the Communion Office, & its rubricks go to the root of the controversy between Reformed & Unreformed Cstians. But the habit of "make belief" which has now become "second nature" to English Churchmen will prevail, and the whole subject will be discussed as if we were all of one mind in seeking to improve our "incomparable Liturgy" as the Use of the Church of England! The proposed changes will, if adopted, have no effect whatever in securing that uniformity of practice which the Tractarians destroyed: for the variant procedures of the "Anglo–Catholicks" are now based on "Catholick principle", and do not admit of being surrendered. The Bishop of Gloucester, in opening the discussion, denied with some heat Athelstan Riley's suggestion that the intention of the Revision Committee had been to placate the "Anglo–Catholics", but since only the "Anglo–Catholicks" objected to the Prayer–book as it is, and since their lawlessness originally compelled the attempt to revise the Book, it is difficult to deny justly Mr Riley's assertion. The fiction of Anglican harmony must at all hazards be preserved! But there will be "a day of the Lord" upon these persistent unrealities, and "the idols shall be utterly done away". Where will the Church of England be, & how will it fare in that Day?
[184] [symbol]
I travelled the normal cycle of my duty. At 9.45 a.m. I had an interview with Mrs Watkins at the Club, & then went on to Westminster for the National Assembly. The discussion on the Bp. of Gloucester's motion continued the whole morning. I made the closing speech, which was more than commonly successful, if success may be measured by applause and compliments. My point was that revision of the Prayer–book must imply enforcement of the P. B.: and that raised the whole question of the character & claim of the C. of E. Was it a "go–as–you–please" church? This implied 2 conditions – the consent of the people, and the willingness of the clergy to tolerate one another. But neither of these conditions cd be counted upon. I ended by quoting my favourite Butler 'tag', and applying it. I was greatly surprised at the applause with which this speech was received. The Report was "received" by a great majority. I lunched with the Dillons at 18 Cowley Street. The proceedings during the afternoon were dull enough. I walked to Lambeth where the Archbishop and Mrs Davidson were giving a "reception", which was spoiled by the rain. We all dined with Sir Laurence & Lady Jones in Harrington Road, near Gloucester Road Station. The rain made going & coming difficult. The late Bishop of Madras & Mrs Whitehead were there. They have taken a house at Ledbury. She talked much & offensively! I detest these forward prating women. Cody, the Canadian divine, who has declined the Archbishoprick of Melbourne, was in the gallery at the Church House during my speech.