The Henson Journals

[215]

Passion Sunday, April 6th, 1924.

We beseech thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon thy people; that by thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore, both in body and soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

I celebrated the Holy Communion in the chapel at 8 a.m. there were but five communicants, though it was the first Sunday in the month.

I motored to Whickham, and discussed several matters of business with Little, whom I have just made an hon–canon in succession to old Fowler. Then I went to Marley Hill, and preached at Evensong in the parish church which was crowded and asphyxiating. The vicar, Arbuckle, is an old man, afflicted with a bad heart – physically bad, not, I trust, otherwise. There were many young men in the congregation, which, he assured me, was the general fact & not a special turn–out for my benefit! There are 4000 people in the parish, and the income is set down as £336 net. The patronage is in the Crown and Bishop alternately.

Cass, the curate at Coundon, has just, at my suggestion, consented to transfer himself to Marley Hill, where he will replace that queer creature Burgess who is now at Willington.

I was rather distressed to hear that the physical weakness of the incumbent & the moral collapse of the curate have prevented any preparation of confirmation candidates this year.

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