The Henson Journals

[48]

18th Sunday after Trinity, October 19th, 1924.

Lord, we beseech thee, grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Rain fell heavily during the night, and the morning broke on a sodden world, infinitely depressing. Autumnal leaves are never so utterly significant of death and decay as when they fall under a leaden sky on to a rain–soaked earth.

I celebrated the Holy Communion in the Chapel at 8 a.m. There were 10 communicants, including all my guests but one.

I spent the day in my study until the evening when I went to Tudhoe Grange, and preached at Evensong. My subject was suggested by yesterday's festival.

The wet night did undoubtedly affect the congregation. Yet the church was fairly filled, and there were hardly less than fifty men and lads in the choir. Jimmie Dobbie read the lessons, and afterwards came in the car with me as far as the end of Spennymoor.

Canon Wykes expressed some apprehension in view of the increase of unemployment.

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