The Henson Journals

[88]

Monday, January 15th, 1923.

"A distinguished Frenchman was asked to give his impression of our American universities. 'You Americans,' he said, 'respect scholarship: but you do not respect the conditions of scholarship.' We like the results of thought, but we are too busy doing things to pay the price of thought."

"The Church in America", p. 332.

I motored into Durham, & instituted Wreford Brown to the Vicarage of S. Hylton. Then I lunched pleasantly with Wilson in the Club. Then I motored to Hartlepool, & attended a Conference at the Labour Exchange, presided over by Macdonald. We discussed the proposal to arrange classes for unemployed lads & girls under 18. Later I attended the Meeting of Parish Church Councillors in the Town Hall. There was a large attendance, others besides the Councillors being invited. I addressed the assembly on the subject of 'Prayer–Book Revision', and afterwards answered a few questions. The attention seemed to be close, & the interest sustained, but the subject was too remote from the general levels of my hearers' ordinary ways of thinking & speaking. Probably they were more puzzled than edified. However, Macdonald expressed himself well–satisfied with the meeting, and certainly the whole business of Prayer Book Revision has been brought within the range of these people's perception.

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