The Henson Journals

[37]

Friday, December 8th, 1922.

I spent the morning in preparing my Sunday's work. After lunch I motored into Durham, and had an interview with Hill in the Chapter Office. He has the aspect of a whipped hound, and evidently feels that he has made an ass of himself. I suggested that he should be transferred to another parish, and he 'jumped' at the prospect. So I determined to see if Cosgrave can take him.

Then I instituted Archdeacon Derry to his Durham Canonry. After tea with Wilson, I motored to South Shields, and put up for the night at the Rectory.

My letter appeared prominently in the 'Times', and reads rather like a wail from a distant past, so decayed has the idea of national Christianity now grown to be. I cannot think that there is any resisting power left in the Church of England strong enough to defeat a direct attack on the Establishment.

I had much talk with Hudson Barker. He is an odd man in some respects, and I think probably more 'advanced' in his churchmanship than he would like me to know. But he reads, thinks, and works: he is, moreover, in some respects old–fashioned. Thus he professes a strong belief in the value of parochial visiting, and Bible Classes: of the last he appears to have several very flourishing examples in his parish.

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