The Henson Journals

[121]

Thursday, February 11th, 1926.

God is that only which he testifieth of himself, and to imagine any other thing of God than that, is damnable idolatry. Therefore saith the 118th psalm, "Happy are they which search the testimonies of the Lord:" that is to say, that which God testifieth and witnesseth unto us. But how shall I that do, when ye will not let me have his testimonies, or witnesses, in a tongue which I understand? Will ye resist God? Will ye forbid him to give his Spirit unto the lay as well as unto you? Hath he not made the English tongue? Why forbid ye him to speak in the English tongue then, as well as in the Latin?

v. Tyndale. Preface to "Obedience of a Christian Man."

This reasoning is quite irresistible. Its weak point, of course, is the assumption that the Divine Self–Revelation is only made in the Scripture: yet it might fairly be urged that so far as it is made in Scripture, the message is final. The Church, Science, History – these may elucidate, even supplement, the teaching of Scripture, but can they ever disallow or replace it? To add Tradition to Scripture on equal terms is to enthrone Tradition.

[122]

There was a considerable snow–fall during the night, but much of the snow disappeared in the course of the day. In the forenoon I dictated to Fearne some of the lecture which I am pledged to deliver next week in Newcastle. The Curate of Shildon, a weird creature called Sumner, came to lunch. He is like the conventional stage–curate, but he has no small opinion of his capacity, & is hag–ridden by the delusion that he has been "ignored", whereas the fact is that he has been considered & set aside! He illustrates one [missing word] our most perplexing problems – what to do with the virtuous incompetent! He stayed to lunch, & would have stayed for ever, if I had not edged him out! I walked round the Park with Lionel, & then resumed work on the lecture, but to little purpose.

The Revd Ed. H. Leale, Vicar of S. Stephen's, Bexhill–on –Sea, writes to say that he has just read a review of my book on "Spiritual Healing" in the "Spectator", and rejoices to find that I am as much opposed to the movement as he is. He also sends me a copy of "The Outlook", which contains an article by himself on "Spiritual Healing". I am curious as to the number of copies of my book which have been sold. I fear they are but few.

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