The Henson Journals

[39]

Wednesday, May 13th, 1925.

The church which these men (the converts to Catholicism) joined was pledged to change the moral & intellectual atmosphere in which Englishmen moved & breathed. Neither freedom of thought nor political liberty had as yet reached their perfect development in England, but it was beyond doubt that the victory of the Papacy would extinguish both.

S. R. Gardiner. Hist. of England. i. 231.

I wrote to Colonel Robson making a suggestion for the proposed memorial window in S. Hilda's, Hartlepool. Then I motored into Durham, & had an interview with Mr Heap, to whom I offered the charge of Blackhalls, which he accepted. Then I went to the Castle, & instituted a bunch of curates among whom was Neville Hudson. Then I lunched with Wilson, and afterwards had an interview with the Bishop of Jarrow about this unhappy business at Sunderland. Then I motored to Monkheselden, & confirmed about 60 persons in the little old parish church. After tea with the Vicar (Bell) I went on to Horden, & confirmed 34 persons. (This from a parish of 11,000 people in which more 20 boys & girls reach the age of 14 every year). After service I returned to Auckland. My letter appeared in the Times.

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