The Henson Journals

[172]

12th Sunday after Trinity, August 19th, 1923.

Almighty and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we to pray, and art wont to give more than either we desire, or deserve; Pour down upon us the abundance of thy mercy; forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord.

Amen

We attended the morning service in S. Chad's Church – mattins to the 3rd collect, and Holy Communion with sermon. Godfrey read the lessons admirably, and the Vicar (Salisbury) preached. The sermon from the text "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life", was a thin extemporaneous performance, but, rather to my surprise, it seemed to please my host & hostess. Certainly if the laity are satisfied with that kind of oration, the clergy will provide nothing better.

I wrote to Harold. It was a difficult and painful task. Before sealing the letter, I showed it to Dorothea & Godfrey, and at their suggestion made an emendation. Also, I wrote to Carissima. The evening passed into the unedifying type of conversation to which mixed society is commonly condemned, and in which a Bishop can only discredit himself.

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