The Henson Journals

[289]

Easter Day, April 12th, 1925.

Thank God, no paradise stands barred

To entry, and I find it hard

To be a Christian, as I said!

Still every now and then my head

Raised glad, sinks mournful – all grows dread

Spite of the sunshine, while I fear

And think, "How dreadful to be grudged

"No ease henceforth, as one that's judged.

"Condemned to earth forever, shut

"From heaven!"

But Easter day breaks! But

Christ rises! Mercy every way

Is infinite, – and who can say?

Browning. Christmas–Eve and Easter Day.

A brilliant Easter morning. The sun shone through faint and warming mist upon a landscape on which Spring had thrown a hardly discernible tint of living green. The Chapel looked most beautiful. Cosin's plate stood on a fair linen cloth heavily adorned with lace, Mrs Dillon's gift. I celebrated the Holy Communion alone, as Ernest had gone to assist at Bishopwearmouth, & Clayton was celebrating at Tudhoe Grange. We mustered in all 21 communicants, of whom seven were males.

[290]

I motored to Bishop Middleham, where I preached the sermon and celebrated. The service was choral but not too elaborate. There was the charm of rural simplicity about the worship, and the attention of the people was exemplary. The communicants numbered about fifty. After service I returned to Auckland.

Ella and Fearne came with me to Durham in order to attend Evensong in the Cathedral. The singing was very good. After service I had tea with the Bishop of Jarrow. Then I motored to Newcastle and preached in that Cathedral at Evensong. There was a large and attentive congregation, & much rather noisy musick. After this service I went on to Jesmond Parish Church, and preached into a broad–casting box. There was a considerable congregation, and a large choir.

In the vestry awaiting my arrival there was a letter from the "station director" of the Broadcasting Company, asking me to omit the section of my address which referred to the recent cause celebre. I didn't open the letter until after the service, and therefore the request could not have been granted: but if I had opened it, no difference would have been made. For, indeed, it is intolerable that episcopal sermons should be "censored" by broadcasting clerks! After this performance I returned to Auckland.

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