The Henson Journals

[53]

Friday, December 22nd, 1922.

I spent the morning in clearing off a number of letters. Heawood, the Professor's son, came to lunch, and afterwards talked to me, and with me, about the Student Christian Movement, in which he holds office as a secretary of the London branch. I find it extraordinarily difficult not to think that the Movement is a spiritual mare's nest! But so many enthusiastic people are enthusiastic about it that I shrink from accepting that verdict.

I motored into Durham to see J. G. Wilson about my insurances: and happening to call in at the late Mayor's shop to enquire how that excellent man had fared after his operation. I found him in vivâ persona. He escorted me into his sanctum, & after explaining his desire to make a small private thankoffering for his recovery, he wrote me a cheque for £30 for the poor clergy at my discretion. Then I looked in on the philosophic draper, Gray, who, I found, was much shaken & depressed by the death of his brother, killed by a motor–car in the streets of London this summer. I had never heard of it. Finally, I visited Caldcleugh, who was in a conversational mood.

Wilson gave me a copy of "King Edward's School Chronicle" which contains an obituary notice of Bishop Lightfoot. The issue is dated March 1890.

I sent the following cheques:– Shaddick £25: Butler £20: Firth £15: Rainbow £15:. They may possibly inject a little cheerfulness into their Christmas ministrations!

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