The Henson Journals

[70]

Friday, November 7th, 1924.

Visitation of the Diocese –

We motored to Durham in good time for the service in the Cathedral at 11.15 a.m. There was a great gathering of the clergy from the Archdeaconry of Durham, but more than half of them did not communicate. We have not had an "Anglo–Catholic" movement for nothing! This scrupulosity about fasting communion has completely submerged the corporate obligation. The music at the celebration was beautiful, and, indeed, the service was very devout. I delivered the charge from the throne, and was assured that everybody could hear me with ease. I had no time to deliver more than a third part of what I had written, and the effect was unpleasing. After the service we all adjourned to the Castle, and lunched in the great Hall. Old Mr Reenan, the senior incumbent, who has been Vicar of Fatfield since 1876, and has heard the charges of five bishops of Durham, proposed my health, and I made a speech in reply: which was not a very happy or a very judicious production. After this the company dispersed. I went to my room, and had interviews, with Pater, the ex–Papist Barry, and Garland. Then I had tea, and with Clayton returned to Auckland.

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