The Henson Journals

[78]

Monday, December 3rd, 1923.

Vernon Storr sends me a kindly acknowledgement of my little book ("In defence of the English Church") which he is reading "with great avidity & delight". He adds: "You have a wonderfully clear way of putting things & I envy you your style. We have few stylists now". Bishop Knox also acknowledges a copy "in no formal manner, but with sincere appreciation of its brilliancy & power". I must set these flatterous letters against the fact that for the most part the bishops do not think it necessary even to say "Thank you!".

Aglionby writes to say that the Abp. of C. has asked him to be Bishop of Accra, and to ask whether he ought to accept the offer. I reply that probably he ought to do so.

After lunch I motored to Shildon, and confirmed a poor girl who was said to be dying, or nearly so. Her brother, a pleasant–faced youth of 21, was changing his clothes in preparation for his work in the mine, where he filled the pony's lorries. I noticed the cuts & scars on his legs, which, he said were caused by the coal. His names was Thomas William Johnson.

I wrote to the Bishop of Norwich enclosing Bp. Knox's letter, & asking his opinion thereupon. Knox advises the convening of a Conference of the followers of Paige–Cox and Inskip to agree upon a policy of P.B. Revision, and suggests that such a Conference might be convened by the Bishops of Norwich, Durham, & Gloucester. But I doubt if even these three could agree on anything!

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