The Henson Journals

[104]

Sunday after Christmas, December 30th, 1923.

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The last Sunday in the year is dark & wet. Everywhere the snow, which yesterday crackled under the walker's foot, is dissolving into slush, and the state of the Castle's roofs is being put to the severest of tests. Fortunately, I have no preaching engagements today, and can indulge the mood of reminiscence without interruption.

I celebrated Holy Communion in the Chapel at 8 a.m. there were six communicants among whom was Ernest who yesterday expressed his desire to be ordained. At 11 a.m. I read the Morning Prayers in Carissima's bedroom, and that was the extent of my religious observance.

The "Sunday Times" published the little article I wrote under the heading "Reunion with Rome", & added a brief leader. In yesterday's "Daily Mail" there is a list of telegraphed comments headed by my own. As might have been expected, the most effusive in approval are from Evangelical bishops! They "live & move & have their being" in a world of platform platitudes & pietistic phrases, & they have now exchanged the cant of "No Popery" for the cant of "Reunion"! Apart from them, the prevailing note is of disapproval harassed in its expression by a desire to "save the face" of the Primate. The more I think of it, the more I am convinced that his Grace has been wheedled and hustled into a considerable blunder.

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