The Henson Journals

[46]

Saturday, December 16th, 1922.

I prepared notes for my functions later in the day. Neither function is agreeable to me, for the "ordination of a deaconess" seems to commit me to beliefs and policies which I do not accept, and the dedication of a War memorial compels me to labour an exhausted theme.

We motored to Durham, and I went at once to the cathedral, and "ordained" the deaconess. We lunched with the Cruickshanks. I heard with much relief and satisfaction that the fatuous proposal to lease the Pebendal House to the Ladies College had been defeated in chapter. The Dean and Lillingston voted for it: the Sub–dean, the Bishop of Jarrow, and Dawson Walker voted against. Derry abstained from voting. This ought to put an end to that folly. After lunch we motored to South Shields, dropping Ella on the way at Chester–le–Street, and, picking her up there on the return journey. I dedicated a chancel screen as a War memorial in St Simon's church, and preached. The congregation was small & listless: and the atmosphere was foul and stifling. After the service, we went into the Vicarage, and had tea with some of the parishioners. The parson – a lugubrious man called Laverick – drew me aside in order to renew the appeal for a change, which he made to me some while since! He has no degree; and was ordained in 1895 by the Bishop of Manchester. He has been 14 years in his present living.

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