The Henson Journals

[7]

Saturday, September 13th, 1924.

I prepared an address for Watson's Institution tomorrow, and put the finishing touches to the Sunderland sermon. Then Clayton and I motored to Durham where, after vainly calling on Lazenby, I went to Knight's house and talked over diocesan business with him. After lunching there, we went to the Chapter House, where I presided over a special meeting of the Diocesan Conference. The business was mostly formal, but a motion to give general approval to the Pension Scheme, introduced to the Church Assembly by Lord Phillimore, opened the floodgates of clerical eloquence. However, after I had summed up in a short speech, the motion was carried unanimously. There followed a meeting of the Board of Finance, and then another board. We returned to the Castle in time for a late tea.

After dinner, I read aloud to the ladies the sermon in answer to the Cardinal which I propose to preach tomorrow. It took 31 minutes, which means at least 45 minutes in delivery. Then I wrote to my Godson, Gilbert Simpson, and sent him a copy of my H. of L. speech, and the sermon to the Liverpool sectaries.

I wrote a letter of condolence to the Vicar of Stanley, Crook, old Mr Wilson, whose wife died this morning. Also, I wrote to Shebbeare of Stanhope, advising him to have a curate.

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