The Henson Journals

[163]

Monday, March 12th, 1923.

Our task is to do what in us lies to make the Church the very truest and fullest exponent of humanity.'

v. Hort's Life & Letters i. 112.

This was written to a friend when he was 21 years old. Did Hort every write anything more sound or more mature?

I worked at the Penrith sermon. After lunch Clayton and I motored to Hart, where I confirmed 24 candidates in the little old dilapidated church. This is really a very interesting building: the chancel arch is Norman, but it is inserted into a "Saxon" wall, and the smaller arch which it replaced yet thrusts a surviving fragment above its rival. The 15th century font, elaborately carved, is unusually fine. We went on to Hartlepool, and had tea with Canon Macdonald. About 50 of his unemployed men gathered to "welcome" me. Two of them were confirmed later in S. Oswald's, whither I proceeded in time for the service at 7 p.m. In spite of the wet and stormy weather, there was a large congregation. I confirmed 170 persons, of whom 7 were deaf mutes from an adjoining Insitution. Egerton, the curate of S. Oswald's, has engaged himself to marry a prosperous middle–aged female of the district! Chute meditates looking out for another curate to take his place. I told him to get me a Wykhemist like himself. We returned to the Castle after service, arriving about 9.45 p.m.

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