The Henson Journals

[61]

Saturday, December 30th, 1822.

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I finished the sermon for the Cathedral. After lunch Ella and walked in the Park with the dogs. The recent rains have swollen the Gaunless & its ancillary streams into respectable torrents.

The Patronage Secretary in Downing Street writes to say that S. Francis is still vacant, the latest nominee having withdrawn his acceptance. I cannot regret this, as I judge the man to be unsuitable. I wrote to the Secretary suggesting that the living shd be offered to Wright: and asking whether the other fellow might do for Boddy's successor.

Wilkinson writes to say that he wishes to "back out" of the exchange which he had agreed to make with Cobb. A friend had pointed out to him that he had no right to take his three motherless children to such a parish'! I sent him a curt reply , telling him that in my judgement the plea was inadequate. Cobb sends me a brief correspondence which has passed between himself and Wilkinson, from which it is evident that the latter has behaved very badly. Here, then, is a significant example of the disadvantage inherent in the marriage of the clergy. A whole set of powerful but irrelevant interests is brought into existence, and these may, and often do, come into direct and obvious conflict with the parson's only legitimate concern – his spiritual ministry. In that conflict it is plain enough where the victory will commonly, all but invariably, lie. The Church of England is dominated by the claims & needs of the parson's home!

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