The Henson Journals

[233]

Monday, March 2nd, 1925.

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There is what appears a genuine story of a Chinaman who had paid an idol priest to cure his daughter, but she died; whereupon the swindled worshipper brought an action of law against the god who for his fraud was banished from the province.

Tylor. Primitive Culture. ii. 171

I motored to Winston, and officiated at the funeral of the late Rector, Hughes. There was a fair muster of local clergy, & the church was filled with neighbours. I heard with regret that a pit was being opened on the river–bank below the Church, and already the glorious view of the Tees had been damaged by the felling of trees.

I wrote to Canon Brown of Monkwearmouth, offering him the Rectory of Winston & the Rural Deanery of Barnard Castle. Also to Bothamley of St Nicholas, Durham, offering him the Canonry.

I went to Bearpark, and there confirmed 47 candidates. Then I went on to Brandon, and confirmed 67 candidates. I found there among the clergy, Nevill Hudson, the young man who was not altogether happy at Knutsford. He seems to have settled in comfortably, & hopes to be licensed in due course. The Irishman, Mack, whose wife died, has decided not to return to Brandon.

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