The Henson Journals

[77]

Advent Sunday, December 2nd, 1923.

There was a rapid thaw during the night, & deluges of rain. Accordingly, the snow had all disappeared, and sodden landscapes met the eye. It is just 35 years since I was instituted publicly in Barking Church as Vicar of Barking. I think all who took part in the service except myself are now dead, and I myself in mind & purpose am now unrecognizable.

I motored to Gateshead, picking up Wilson in Durham, and there I admitted Philps to the perpetual curacy of Christ Church, in succession to Davison. It was a well–arranged & reverent service, and my sermon was listened to with attention. I was particularly pleased to see, & receive good accounts of, three of the young men whom I have ordained – Suthrien, Trotman, & Bamlett. After lunching with the Rural Dean, I returned to Durham, & attended Evensong in the Cathedral. After having tea with Mead Faulkner, who has just returned from Spain, (where, he says, the people are delighted to be rid of Parliamentary government) I motored to Houghton–le–Spring, there I preached in the Parish Church, and afterwards had supper in the Rectory. Knight gives an excellent report of his two deacons, Booth & Brewer. It is evident enough that he is getting hold of the parish. I picked up Ella and Fearne in Durham, whereto they had come to listen to the Advent music in the Cathedral, and then I returned to the Castle where we arrived at 10.30 p.m. The weather throughout the day was mild & occasionally fine.

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