The Henson Journals

[154]

3rd Sunday in Lent, March 4th, 1923.

We beseech thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of your humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of thy Majesty, to be our defence against all our enemies, through Jesus Christ our Lord

Amen.

I celebrated the Holy Communion in the Chapel at 8 a.m. William communicated. After breakfast I wrote a sermon for use at Consett, where most of the miners recently killed at Medomsly had their homes. I hate everything of the nature of funeral sermons.

Ella and Fearne accompanied me in the motor as far as Durham. I went to Lambton, and had tea with Lord Durham, with whom was his brother D'Arcy. Then I went to Consett, and delivered the sermon to a very large congregation. The relatives of the deceased pit–lads sate immediately under the pulpit rather disconcertingly. After the service they came into the Vestry to see me. I made an ass of myself and wept with them! Then I returned to Auckland stopping in Durham on the way in order to recover the ladies. There was enough fog to embarrass William in driving, but not enough seriously to delay or endanger us.

This is my first tragedy: in scale petty & in character rather specially alarming. I am glad it occurred to me to show some personal concern.

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