The Henson Journals

[15]

Saturday, March 12th, 1927.

I received, corrected, and returned the proofs of the Earl Grey Memorial Lecture; and told the Secretary of the C.O.S. in London that I would "take" 200 copies of my Loch Memorial Lecture.

In the afternoon the three lads, whom I had invited to see the Castle made their appearance. I showed them round, & gave them tea. One was a boot–maker; one, a "petrol–seller, the third a "putter" in a pit. They had all passed either the 6th or the 7th standard in school, and all confessed to reading nothing but the police & football news. When they had departed, J. G. Wilson arrived in order to administer his oaths and declarations to the deacon–designate, who is to be ordained tomorrow. Later the said deacon-designate Gerald Hyslop Linnell, appeared with his wife, both looking absurdly young. After dinner I had some speech with him, taking occasion to warn him against being immediately swept into the fatuous polemic against the Composite Book which his foolish Vicar, Ferguson, has been carrying on. It is certainly most unfortunate to have to put an assistant curate on his guard against the fervour of his Vicar! But Ferguson has worked himself up into a ridiculous fervour, joined the Protestant Pilgrims and imagines himself a second Luther! Apparently he has created a considerable excitement among the pitmen of Collierley, who have visions of racks & stakes as imminent catastrophes!

---