The Henson Journals

[150]

Monday, January 5th, 1925.

Archbishop D'Arcy writes in very kind terms about the charge. He would not acknowledge the copy I sent him until he had read it:–

"Having done so, will you allow me to say how thoroughly I enjoyed the reading, & how highly I value it, in view of present needs. It seems to me extremely important: & I was delighted to see Dean Inge's article on it in the Morning Post. Your examination of the Enabling Act and its working out seems to me to be very valuable. Surely an effort ought to be made to organise the laity. I was also deeply impressed by your criticism of 'Copec', & your reference to McDougall's book".

D'Arcy is a man of genuine eminence, & I value his approval.

I motored to Darlington, and caught the 1.34 p.m. express, arriving in King's Cross half an hour after time. I drove to Park Lane, where I found the Scarbroughs at home. I went on at once to Dean's Yard, & dined with the Brethren in de Candole's house – Inge, Charles, Storr, Gilbertson, de Candole, & myself made up the party. I returned to Park Lane about 10 p.m.

[151]

The Fellows of New College are said to be in a quandary as to the choice of a Warden to succeed Spooner. They have, however, reached agreement on the one point that they will not have a clergyman! The choice seems to lie between Fisher (who, however, is said not to want it, and is regarded as not wholly desirable on account of his professed agnosticism!) and Matheson, who is, I think, a Nonconformist. The wheel has gone full circle. After having enjoyed a monopoly, the Anglican clergy now find themselves held to be disqualified by their cloth. The fact sets one thinking.

We had a good deal of talk about the ecclesiastical situation, which appears the more baffling, the more it is considered. Vernon Storr says that his Liberal Evangelical clergy now number as many as 700. But the Anglo–Catholicks claim as many as 5000: and the Federation of Catholick Priests has more than 1200 members. The "Fiery Cross" is entertained at York Minster, and the E.C.U. is able to announce that many of the theological professors & other clergy of position have consented to take part in the new venture of publishing a Catholick Commentary on the Bible!!

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