The Henson Journals

[2]

Ash Wednesday, March 2nd, 1927.

I motored to Darlington, and took the early train to King's Cross. From York I enjoyed the luxury of solitude. On arrival in London I drove to the Atheneum: had my hair cut: proceeded to Lambeth, and sate with my brethren in conference during the afternoon.

We received an impudent memorandum from the E.C.U. asking us to postpone the Revision until the Church was more united! The whole thing was very hypocritically expressed. The Bishop of Exeter moved, & the Bishop of Birmingham seconded a motion that only the non–contentious part of the Revision should be proceeded with. This was lost by 29 to 4. The minority consisted of Exeter, Birmingham, Newcastle & Worcester. Then we got to work on the suggestions made by the Convocations.

The Archbishop was cheerful and communicative. He has been having many interviews with dissentients: and on the whole seems to be less discouraged than might have appeared natural. Frere told me that he was regarded as a traitor by the Anglo–Catholicks but he thought they were 'bluffing': and would find themselves without followers when the pinch of decision came.

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