The Henson Journals

[27]

Thursday, March 24th, 1927.

The heavens grew black about noon, so that it was necessary to use the electric light, and there was a considerable thunderstorm with heavy rain.

I received a letter from Sir W. Joynson–Hicks, the Home Secretary, asking me to be a member of a Committee, which he is setting up, to inquire into the working of the law about solicitation! Of all conceivable subjects this is assuredly the one with which I would least care to be connected. Nevertheless, I returned a rather ungracious acceptance, simply because I don't think it prudent to disoblige the H.S. in view of parliamentary contingencies presently when the Measure legalising the Composite Book comes before the House of Commons.

Lionel and I motored to Barnard Castle School, where I confirmed 22 boys in the Chapel. Later, we motored to Croxdale where I confirmed about 70 persons in the parish church.

I received, and declined, an invitation to stay at Lambeth for the Convocation.

200 copies of the Loch Memorial Lecture on "the Problem of Private Benevolence in the Private State" arrived. How anaemic & futile this kind of composition looks when it re–appears months after the occasion which led to its being originally undertaken! Then it was tolerable, even successful: now it is so much waste paper, & wasted money!

---