The Henson Journals

[140]

1st Sunday in Lent, February 21st, 1926.

At 7.45 a.m. I celebrated the Holy Communion in the Chapel, being the while half–crippled with lumbago!

After breakfast I motored to Sunderland, and preached in Bishopwearmouth Church on behalf of the local hospitals. There was by no means a large congregation, and there did not seem to be many of the "leading citizens" present. However, I was assured that more were present than usual, and that the offertory was above the average. After service the Rector and I called on Raine, the local M.P., to whom I expounded the case against the Shrewsbury Bishoprick Measure, & urged him to oppose the said measure. After lunch I "cultivated" my lumbago on the sofa, and read a book. "Our parson goes to Paris" (the translation of "Mon Curé chez les Pauvres" by Clément Vautel, which is said to have caused sensation in France.) Thompson, the other M.P. for Sunderland came to tea, and discussed the Shrewsbury Bpk Measure. I hope, rather than believe, that both these men will vote against the measure. Then I preached at Evensong in S. John's Church. The congregation, of the very poorest people, was attentive, and I formed the impression that good work was being done there, though of course, the teaching & worship are extremely Anglo Catholick.

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