The Henson Journals

[36]

Thursday, December 7th, 1922.

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I worked at a sermon for next Sunday all the morning. In the evening I motored to Darlington and had an interview with Cosgrave with respect to the foolish deacon, Hill, who, I think, has best chance of 'pulling himself together' if he be transferred to another parish, & subjected to another incumbent. I made Cosgrave read the relevant correspondence, & asked him if he wd make the experiment of having Hill on his staff for 6 months 'with permission', and then, if found satisfactory, under license. He said he would do this if, after a personal interview, he found it possible to arrange with Hill. To this course I agreed.

Then I went to a meeting of the Bible Society. The Chairman was a vulgar creature, who said he was some kind of Methodist, & roared at some length, but I found it difficult to understand his speech, for he had a strong brogue. Then I spoke for half–an–hour: there was a collection, & a vote of thanks, some more vulgarities from the Chairman, and the Benediction! The audience numbered precisely 72, of whom two–thirds were female, & nobody under 60 years old! Sinnamon , the curate from the parish church, was the solitary representative of the local clergy. This reflects the vehement dislike with which they regard any religious association with Nonconformists. After the meeting, I returned to Auckland. William drove furiously, & we were at home by 9.30 p.m.

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