The Henson Journals

[188]

Friday, October 1st, 1926.

My bank–book arrived, and as it showed a balance in my favour of over £3400, I walked over to the Bank, and directed the manager to invest £2000 in War–Loan.

Then I wrote a letter of protest to the Bishop of Liverpool, who, though warned by Principal Wallis of the man’s unsatisfactory character, and advised to refer to me, ordained Mr Gibson without consulting me. This is certainly a very strange proceeding, and adds yet another item to the accumulating evidence of precipitancy in that Bishop.

I wrote to Knowlden offering him the honorary canonry vacated by the death of Canon Urmson.

During the afternoon I walked round the Park with Charles Shirran, a lad of 22 (on Nov: 5th 1926) whom I picked up. He was, of course, unemployed, & had been so for 18 months. He lived with his parents, & drew the dole of 18/– weekly. He worked at Newton Cap Colliery on the surface. I gave him the illustrated pamphlet on Durham Castle, and my lecture on 'Tyndale'.

Ernest arrived in order to enter on his duties as Diocesan Chaplain. It is an experiment , of which the success cannot be taken for granted. The Sundays will probably be filled up easily enough, but the week–days are not so obviously provided for. Much turns on his ability to commend himself to the clergy, and something on their ability to attract him!

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