The Henson Journals

[273]

Thursday, April 2nd, 1925.

This, then, is the last thing I can say about Lourdes. It would be quite useless as evidence – indeed it would be almost impertinent to dare to offer further evidence at all – yet I may as well hand it in as my contribution. It is this, that Lourdes is soaked, saturated and kindled by the all but sensible presence of the Mother of God. I am quite aware of all that can be said about subjectivity and auto–suggestion, and the rest; but there comes a point in all arguments when nothing is worth anything except an assertion of a personal conviction. Such, then, is mine.

R. A. Benson. "Lourdes" p. 79.

This day was altogether wasted. Spencer Wade came to see me, and lunched here. He accepts the living of Lynesack, vacated by Marsh, who follows Wykes at Tudhoe Grange. I went in to Durham with Ernest, and presided at a meeting of the Clergy Training & Maintenance Board. After tea at the Castle, we motored to Sunderland, where I distributed prizes to the boys of the Bede Collegiate School. The Mayor presided, & I was surprised to see the Victoria Hall almost completely filled. My speech was heavy & not very suitable, but it was applauded. The triumphant Boy, Ord, rehearsed a very long Prologue composed in verse by the Head Master in which I was grotesquely complimented!

---