The Henson Journals

[320]

Wednesday, November 11th, 1925.

Rather to my surprise the Bishop of Manchester writes to say that, having read my book, he is "in almost complete agreement with me". Considering his close union with Gove this is rather astonishing. The Yorkshire Post has a notice of the book, polite but rather frigid. The writer (as was clearly the case with the author of the notice in the Times) is in sympathy with the faith–healers, R. J. Campbell writes approvingly of the Bishoprick which he thinks is "something entirely new in Diocesan literature".

I motored to Durham, & attended the High Sheriff's lunch in the Shire Hall. It was mainly composed of military men. I congratulated Colonel Stobart, the High Sheriff, on being appointed to the command of the D.L.J. Brigade. My little speech in proposing his health seemed to be much appreciated. After lunch I returned to Auckland.

Fawkes writes: "The Bishop of Winchester said not long ago that he looked at – I forget whether it was Prohibition or Spiritual Healing – "with guarded approval". Nothing can keep a man who expresses himself in that way from Canterbury!" An oracular, friendly, yet non–committed mode of speech is certainly very common among their Lordships of the English Bench.

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