The Henson Journals

[87]

Saturday, June 28th, 1924.

I wrote a sermon on "The sweet uses of Advertisement" for Westminster Abbey, when I preach there on July 13th to the International Advertising Convention. At lunch were several ladies of the Women's Institute Committee, including Lady Bell, Mrs Pease, & Mrs Stobart. They had a Fête in the Park. After lunch I motored to Durham, & presided at the meeting of the Diocesan Conference. My address, which was very short, was coldly received. My references to Knight's appointment were not applauded, &, indeed, I had every reason to think that I was as odious as I deserve to be. The discussion on Foreign Missions was mortally dull. After the conference I went to the Castle, and had interviews with (α) Williams, one of the masters of Durham School, who desires to be ordained, (β) Kay, one of the ex–choristers, now at St Chad's, who seeks a grant from the Diocesan Fund to assist his preparation for Holy Orders, (γ) Major Slorach, whom I desired to see with reference to that hateful business of John, (δ) the Barrington Trustees, who allotted four scholarships, of which one (£40) went to Peter Hughes. Then I returned to Auckland in time for dinner.

I had two abusive communications about my speech on Prohibition, & one flatterous letter from a parson who wound up by begging for a living! Is there such a thing as an honest clergyman left on earth?

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