The Henson Journals

[219]

Wednesday, October 27th, 1926.

This unfortunate "Literary Committee" of which I am chairman is asked to provide a response "which choirs can sing" to the familiar & unobjectionable, "Because there is none other that fighteth for us: but only thou, O God". We originally suggested what the American Book includes, "For it is thou, Lord, only, that makest us dwell in safety": and this was accepted by the Bishops: but on reflection the musicians prevailed, & that excellent & beautiful response was rejected. How would this do: –

("For underneath)

"Because beneath (under) the shadow of thy Wing alone:

We are in peace, O God."

or,

Because thou wilt keep them in perfect peace:

Whose minds are stayed on thee, O God.

On the whole, the latter seems preferable, as being wholly Biblical: but will it satisfy the despots of the organ? Neither was approved by the bishops, but a formula accepted by Frere, & accepted by me. We worked steadily all day, and had no hectic moments.

At 5.30 p.m. I delivered the Lock Memorial Lecture in Denison House. There was a large, but rather dowdy–looking audience. The Archbishop presided, & spoke for 15 minutes, & I lectured for an hour. There was no sign of weariness, & applause at the end, so I suppose the poor thing was a success. Among my hearers I noticed Fleming, Kitty, Lady Limerick, Lady Struthers, Cecil Chapman & his wife. A lean & hard–featured young woman introduced herself to me as Lock's daughter, & thanked me for doing honour to her father.

My article on "Fair Play for the Nation" (so it has been headed) appeared in the "Evening Standard" tonight. It reads well enough, and less savagely than I had feared.

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