The Henson Journals

[66]

Friday, May 25th, 1923.

The "Times" yesterday reported that "the Presbyterian Church of America" passed a resolution "requiring every Presbyterian minister, church official, church members, & the faculties students in denominational schools to sign a pledge of total abstinence from alcoholic liquors". I received a copy of an American newspaper "The Chronicle" which is published quarterly by the Protestant Episcopal Church. It contains a paragraph complaining of "the English attitude to intoxicating liquors".

"The question is approached in a common–sense way, entirely, regardless, it would seem, of the overwhelming abuse of the custom, & without an atom of effort to carry out the Pauline principle of refraining because of the weakness of one's brother".

It concludes with a rather sinister statement:

"It is not apostolic succession, or other offensive doctrines, that set the gulf so deep between the Church of England and other Protestants. It is rather the invincibility of certain English social habits".

There is certainly a wide and widening cleavage between the Churches on social questions as total abstinence, female ministry, divorce, and socialism: but it hardly follows the normal denominational lines.

[67] [symbol]

I celebrated the Holy Communion in the chapel at 8.15 a.m. The 7 candidates and 2 chaplains communicated. Then I tried to complete my "charge" but failed to do so. I wrote the names of the candidates in the Bibles and Greek Testaments. After lunch Wynne–Willson and I walked in the Park, which is looking wonderful. Magpies abound, & we saw & heard the cuckoo. After tea I had interviews with the candidates, and attended Evensong at 7 p.m.

The "Church Times" has a paragraph suggesting an inquiry into the administration of the Diocese of Exeter, where the Bishop has just announced the shelving of the projected division. This announcement is the more surprising since it follows so soon upon the rather excessive emphasis laid on the "enthronement" of the suffragan Bishop of Plymouth. "Fish" is certainly too precipitate, and too garrulous.

The Bishops of Chelmsford and S t Alban's are singing in unison on the subject of Prayer–Book Revision, and their performance is heartily applauded by the "Anglo–Catholics", for its message is always the old futile sentimentalism, and its suggestion that in no circumstances & for no causes must charitable Christians enforce law, or go beyond brotherly exhortation! In the present mood of the public, however, this "blethering" accords well enough, & it paralyzes any real effort to "restore discipline" .

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