The Henson Journals

[198]

Thursday, July 6th, 1922.

Rain fell heavily until about 3 p.m. William motored me to Northallerton, where I preached to a considerable congregation of Freemasons in the fine parish church. The atmosphere was almost stifling and in consequence I preached with discomfort and was heard with inattention. Why are the clergy so indifferent to the ventilation of the churches? Bad air [198] is probably more disastrous then bad theology, the last may be unavoidable, but why give both? After service I lunched at the Vicarage. The Revd F. M. Thompson was ordained as long ago as 1872. He cannot be less than 73 years old. He was for 14 years Vicar of Tudhoe, and professes a great affection for the diocese of Durham.

Spencer Wade, a curate in Sunderland, writes to thank me for my speech in the National Assembly: he proceeds thus:–

"Despite the lugubrious outpourings of the 'Church Times' the younger clergy of your diocese are experiencing a deepening confidence in their Bishop, and are learning to value an attitude in ecclesiastical affairs which they have too frequently been advised to scout as Erastianism".

Possibly this is a straw indicating a current. But nothing will avail anything at all so long as the problem of recruiting for the Ministry remains unsolved.

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