The Henson Journals

[202]

Thursday, October 14th, 1926.

I read through Cruickshank's address, "The glory of the Latin language", with interest, appreciation, & admiration. It is an admirable piece of work, & makes one wonder why so excellent a scholar should have failed to make a greater impression on his contemporaries.

I prepared notes for a short speech on Foreign Missions – a subject which (may Heaven forgive me!) I care little about, partly, perhaps, because the zealots for it are so unattractive. However, I do not dispute its importance, nor yet its right to a place in the scheme of a Bishop's professional concerns.

Ella, Fearne, & Fawkes accompanied me to Newcastle, where I was pledged to "open" a Missionary Exhibition. My chairman was the local congregationalist minister, Lee, who "gushed" rather maddeningly. However, I ignored him, & delivered the sapless stuff which I had prepared, and than spent half an hour in walking round the show. We returned to Auckland. The wind was so boisterous that I had little pleasure in the motoring. On returning I read through an exceedingly amusing sketch, "Mr Belloc objects to 'The outline of history'", by H. G. Wells. It is very amusing, &, on that account, the more potent as a solvent of such faith in traditional Christianity as still lingers among us!

Sir Alfred Mond has returned from Canada, where, as he alleges, Ralph's criticisms of this country in his recent book, are doing much harm, and creating an "atmosphere of defeatism". I cannot conceal from myself that he has said many things which cannot be justified, many things that are wounding & doubtful, & some things which are unfair. But, taken as a whole, the book is considerable and "tonic".

Godfrey's son & heir, John is in the Courts as defendant in a libel or slander action. He takes after his mother so notably, that none can be altogether surprised. But Godfrey must be greatly annoyed.

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