The Henson Journals

[59]

Friday, April 22nd, 1927.

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A comfortless blustering day. I cleared up my room, and wrote many letters, preparatory for my departure tomorrow.

Kenneth Hodgson lunched here, and afterwards walked with me in the Park. He will be 17 on the 19th July, and is 6 feet in height. He goes to try his luck at Wadham next week.

The Revd J. Robson, Vicar of All Saints, South Shields, came to see me by appointment, bringing with him a young man, named Bailey, who had been sent away from Kelham, after 4 years residence there, and told that he had "no vocation", and must not put hand to spiritual work. He narrated the history of his "retirement", and a very squalid & sinister history it was. I gather that "psychology" with the usual obsession about sex reigns also at Kelham.

I received from the Headmaster of the English School at Cairo such an answer to my inquiries about S.A. that I was relieved from any doubt as to my duty with respect to him, and told him at once that I would not accept him as a candidate for Holy Orders.

The "Guardian" has long [sic] article on Durham Cathedral, which contains an almost violent attack on the Dean and Chapter. No doubt, if judged by the standards of Chester and York, Durham is woeful enough: but, it allowance be made for the different circumstances, I do not think it can be justly condemned.

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