The Henson Journals

[39]

Saturday, May 17th, 1924.

Cosgrave came to see me about Hill, and practically recalled his letter, on which I had acted. It did not appear to me advisable to go back altogether on my decision, so I consented to postpone his ordination for yet another six months.

Wilson and Apperley came to lunch, and afterwards looked over the Castle, which Apperley, though he has lived all his long life in the diocese, had never before seen.

At 4 p.m. I instituted Birney to the Vicarage of Witton Park. Lomax and Boddy, the incumbents of Ferryhill and Pittington, who have known him from boyhood, came to the service, & several other clergy. The congregation consisted largely of the people from Ferryhill, whose presence was no mean certificate to the worth of his character.

At 6 p.m. Frederick Briggs of 4, Cochrane Terrace, Ferryhill, came to see me with reference to an application, which he had addressed to me, to be accepted as a candidate for Holy Orders. He is 241/2 years old, with no degree, the son of a miner, and out of work. He has been converted to Papistry, and returned from that field after a year! He has a pleasant manner, & smile, but a weak look, which is not prepossessing: & his account of himself was not altogether satisfactory. However I was sufficiently interested to write letters of inquiry to five persons, whom he named as having had dealings with him.

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