The Henson Journals

[89]

1st Sunday after Trinity, June 14th, 1925.

I celebrated the Holy Communion in the Chapel at 8a.m. There were 9 communicants, including the Archbishop and Mr Page–Gourlay. Both the Archbishop and I remained at home during the morning. I wrote to the Bishop of Peterborough about the age of Confirmation candidates: to my godson, Gilbert: and to my brother Arthur.

Lang tells me that when he was Bishop of Stepney, he saw a good deal of Hickson, but "dropped" him because of his fondness for mixing himself up with spiritualism etc. Yet he considered him an honest & devout, though exceedingly unbalanced & emotional man. He thought his financial procedures, though extremely unwise & unsatisfactory, not necessarily dishonest.

After lunch the Archbishop went off to Hartlepool to preach in S. Hilda's: and I walked for more than an hour in the Park with my other guest.

I motored to Penshaw, and preached in the Parish Church. The congregation consisted mainly of young men & women. I could not complain of inattention. After service the members of the parochial church Council met me in the vestry, & seemed very pleased with themselves. The vicar, Holme, has been incumbent for more than 25 years. Penshaw is in the gift of the Bishop of Manchester, & is worth nearly £600 per annum.

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