The Henson Journals

[81]

Tuesday, January 19th, 1926. Lambeth Palace.

A rapid thaw during the night had removed most of the snow before morning. Laus Deo! I did not attend service in chapel, but read Beard's admirable Hibbert Lectures on "The Reformation of the XVIth Century". The morning's discussion was uneventful save for an episode which disclosed the remarkable change which has come about in the episcopal attitude towards the Creed.

The question has been raised whether the Creed should be interrogative or indicative in the service for baptizing adults. The Bishop of Manchester objected to the interrogative form as emphasizing the separate articles of the Creed, & instanced the case of those who, while willing to accept the Creed generally as a statement of corporate belief, could not profess belief in the Virgin Birth. I said that I held, and always had held with DrSanday, that such general assent was consistent with an ex animo acceptance of the Creed. Pearce said that no bishop could accept without explanation all the articles of the Creed. The Bishop of Chichester alone made a protest, which was received without sympathy by his brethren. Compare this with the declarations of the Bishops in 1918, just eight years ago, when I was consecrated to the Episcopate.

[82]

After lunch we were free until 5 p.m., and scattered on various ends of business & pleasure. I went to the hair–dresser, & was "trimmed" & cleansed. Then I went to Hugh Rees, and ordered some books, among them Pastor's Popes, which will cost me about £10. Then I went to Whippell, & ordered shirts, vests, pants & collars. I proceeded to Adeney, & ordered a suit of clothes: finally, I returned to the Club, and had tea. Barnes and I drove to Lambeth in time to attend the resumed session at 5 p.m. We were concerned with the Confirmation service, & sanctioned a good many changes. The Bishop of Bristol succeeded in getting a reference to the age of the candidates inserted into the rubrick which affirms the Bishop's right to "approve" the candidate presented to him for Confirmation. Bishops and Mrs Talbot came to dinner: also, Geoffrey Dawson & his wife. I took Mrs Dawson in to dinner, & found her very agreeable.

I received a long letter from Jimmie, who appears very keen to get ordained, & into work at Belmont. The sudden change of weather brought to me an uncomfortable attack of lumbago.

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