The Henson Journals

[289]

Tuesday, October 20th, 1925.

I got to Lambeth in good time for the Celebration in the Chapel at 8.30 a.m. So far as I could see, all the Archbishops & Bishops were present, save only the Bishop of Southwell who is mortally ill. At 10.30 the session in the Hoare Memorial Hall began with an excellent address by the Archbishop, clear, dignified, & short. Then the Bishop of Norwich moved his resolution dividing the Revision into 2 parts. He disclaimed any intention of postponing the treatment of Holy Communion to the Greek Kalends, but I insisted that that was the inevitable effect of the motion, and all his supporters confessed that their reason for supporting it was nothing else. My speech was delivered from carefully prepared notes, & did, though very brief, state that I conceive to be the true issue. The main object of Revision, I said, was to restore the reign of law in the Church of England. I spoke of the worsening of the situation since 1906, when the Royal Commission issued its Report: described the effect of the War, & the Anglo–Catholick Movement which had exploited it. I pointed out what was the distinctive character of that movement.

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Then I described the alternative before the Church viz: either to move along the line of least resistance by dealing only with the non–controversial matters, & leaving the Holy Communion alone, with the result that the Church wd be completely Romanized within a generation, or to carry through a careful, considerate, & complete Revision which would satisfy men of goodwill, guard he type of English Religion, & make possible the restoration of Law & Order. My conclusion was as follows:– 'We come to our task as English bishops, pledged to guard the truth which we have received, & not free in conscience to assent to changes which wd introduce error, but also as Statesmen, who must take account of actual forces. For myself I shd judge no sacrifices of preference or sentiment too great if it would bring peace & harmony to the Church, but as a loyal son of the Church of England, charged with great responsibility in its administration, I will not purchase the fallacious promise of peace by concessions which cannot but draw with them consequences of ultimate disaster to the supreme[291] interest which the Church itself exists to serve – the interest of Christ's Religion". The discussion was continued until lunch–time, when the division was taken – The Bishop of Norwich lost his motion. Only 9 bishops voted for it, and 24 against. The minority consisted of the following:– Norwich, Worcester, Birmingham, Gloucester, Exeter, Sodor & Man, Bradford, Bristol, and Bath & Wells.

I dined in Par Lane. Lord Hardinge was the only other guest. We had much interesting conversation. I raised the question of Kenya, & found him most interesting. He spoke freely of his Indian experiences, which had opened his eyes to the ill–treatment which Indians and Africans have to endure at the hands of the Colonists. I asked him whether he thought the policy of Indianisation could succeed, & he replied decisively in the negative. After dinner we discussed the O.M.S. of which Lord Hardinge is the President. I gave him some information about the County of Durham, & pointed out some difficulties.

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