The Henson Journals

[101]

Friday, January 26th, 1923.

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" Pray don't suppose me to be against your action in the matter of a Rubricks' debate. Probably to a very great extent I am with you on the larger questions ."

This was the message that Cantuar passed down to me this morning when I had insisted, in the teeth of his very evident desire, on the necessity of another debate in the National Assembly on Prayer Book Revision. I said that the Anglo–Catholic Movement and the publication of the E.C.U. proposals had changed the situation. It was now evident that there was a concerted Revolt against the English system. I returned to the charge on a motion concerning the age of Confirmation, and I think an impression was made on the Bishops . Those who had associated themselves with the Anglo–Catholics looked particularly foolish. The Patronage Committee met at 5 p.m. I walked with the Solicitor General ( Sir Thos Inskip ) as far as the Athenaeum, and told him that I had reached the conviction that we cannot avoid a disruption of the church if we are to be loyal to our principles. He will probably tell his friends, and their attitude will, perhaps, be stiffened. I received a long letter from Albert Saxton. He is now 37 years old. Time moves!

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