The Henson Journals

[259]

3rd Sunday after Easter, April 25th, 1926.

Since March 4th, when I came to London for the debate in the House of Lords until now I have been almost entirely idle, and mostly absent from my diocese. The only conceivable justification for this protracted failure in my duty is that I return to duty more able in body, more resolute in purpose, more consecrated in spirit. Can I honestly assure myself that in any measure this will be my case? "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." The range & difficulty of my obligation grow ever clearer, and more appalling; and my own inadequacy in character, learning, power, and physical strength, is brought home to me ever more plainly. "Who is sufficient for all these things?" If only with the Apostle could I answer humbly but boldly "Our sufficiency is from God, who also hath made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit." I might still find courage to renew the warfare of duty, but can I? The course of the world seems ever to grow more hostile. I am filled with fear as to the possible developments of this Coal–Strife. In the best event, it means further dwarfing of all that the Bishop of Durham symbolizes, represents, and expresses in that great population. And in the worst event?

[260] [symbol]

I celebrated the Holy Communion at 8 a.m. in Holy Trinity Church. There were 41 Communicants, mostly women. It was not without emotion that I found myself ministering this in Robertson's old church. Yesterday I contracted a slight chill, so I took the prudent course of remaining indoors. In the course of the morning, I wrote to William.

Mr Drummond, a son of the Principle of Manchester College, Oxford, came to lunch and stayed to tea. He is a loquacious and far–travelled man, who is evidently mixed up in many of these religious & philanthropic cosmopolitanisms, which Americans so greatly favour: but he spoke intelligently, & said some interesting things. Campbell, who had been preaching to Labour men in the parish Church, joined us at tea–time & spoke very amusingly about his Transatlantic experiences. He agrees in rating American religion very low, but maintains that there are Americans who perceive and lament its low level.

I wrote to Gilbert during the afternoon.

The weather degenerated as the day advanced, and at Eventide was raining & sleeting woefully.

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