The Henson Journals

[101]

Thursday, December 4th, 1924.

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I attended the Conference on "Disinterested management" organized by the 'True Temperance Association' at Donnington House, Strand, at 11 a.m., & sate on until 1 p.m. Lord Plymouth presided. Lord Salvesen spoke, & I made a brief foolish speech. The rest were trivial.

After lunching at the Athenaeum, I returned to the Deanery in time to read through my sermon before going with Ralph & Kitty to Christ Church Vicarage. Here I met divers sectaries who were to take part in the service. In spite of the rain, which descended with a pertinacity worthy even of Baxter, there was a considerable congregation. Dr Eyres read a lesson; Dr Scott Lidgett prayed; Hine Haycock read the prayers; & I preached the sermon. The sermon took at least 40 minutes to deliver: & once or twice moved the hearers to audible laughter! It was closely listened to, & was much praised in the vestry! I gave the MS to Scott Lidgett, on the chance that it might go into the 'Contemporary'. A young man came to me, & announced himself as Mr Chesney. I could not recall in the hard–bitten man of 30, the small chorister of 12! After dining with Kitty at the Deanery, I drove to King's Cross, & took train for York. Leaving at 8.25 p.m., I arrived at 12.59 a.m.

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