The Henson Journals

[170]

Saturday, September 18th, 1926.

["]In general a man ought not to do other people's duty for them; for their duty was appointed them for their exercise; and besides, who will do it in case of his death? Nor has a man any right to raise in others such a dependence upon him as that they must be miserable in case of his death, though while he lives he answers that dependence.["]

Bishop Butler

A comment on Butler's dictum, and, perhaps, a justification of it is provided by a description of a patriarchically administered property which I came upon in Maclean's "Life of J. Cameron Lees" p. 405. It is not difficult to imagine that the permanent effect of such all–embracing benevolence as Mrs Ellice exhibited towards her tenants in Glengarry would be morally debilitating, and her death must have left many of them in a difficult situation. The fact that Mr Maclean "never heard a word of appeal on behalf of personal liberty – or of a Scotsman's house being his castle" indicates that an effect on character was apparent. It was probably a permanent effect, and could hardly be described as good. Benevolence, conscientious and thorough–going, was, perhaps, on a broad view of consequences, doing more harm than good. Of course, one's judgment will be finally determined by the values which one attaches to specific moral qualities. Are courtesy, gratitude, loyalty, contentment to be placed above virility, independence, self–respect, & the like? That the former are more agreeable, gracious and attractive may be conceded; but are they intrinsically superior? It is on the answer to that question that the final verdict turms.

[171]

I paid a first instalment of £100 to Messers Cornish & Gaymer on the Escomb Repairs Account.

Also I paid £32.19.6 for furniture for the Diocesan Chaplain's Rooms. I wrote to Hamilton Thompson, President of the Northumberland & Durham Archeological Association invoking his interest in the defence of Cosin's Building on Palace Green.

I wrote to Mr McClelland, the heretick minister in Glasgow, saying that I would preach for him on April 24th 1927. How vain these promises so long beforehand must needs be.

I picked up a lad named Eric Banks, who hails from Spennymoor. He is 19 years old, & has been working in the pits earning 25/– to 30/– weekly. He says that the Bishop of Durham confirmed him 3 years ago, & that he is a regular communicant in the parish church. He seemed intelligent, and said he was fond of reading: so I gave him a copy of "William Tyndale". His father, a joiner, is in work.

Blakiston, the President of Trinity, came for the week end.

About 45 students from Cambridge, who are embarking on an undergraduates mission in Darlington came to have tea, and see the Castle. They were led by Canon Woods, the brother of the Bishop of Winchester. Before going off, I said a few prayers, & spoke a few words in the Chapel. Also, I gave each of them a copy of my lecture on "William Tyndale". They were a pleasant crowd, not at all bumptious and canting. But I am by no means convinced of the soundness of such missions, which yet I dare neither to criticize nor to refuse. Undergraduates should devote themselves to their studies, & not stand to preach. However, as the world goes now, we must take the youth on their own terms, or we shall not get them at all!

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