The Henson Journals

[75]

Tuesday, May 3rd, 1927.

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My venerable chancellor, P.V. Smith, whom I have ever reckoned to be a stalwart Evangelical, writes to tell me that "he agrees with every word of my valuable address to the Diocesan Conference & Article in the April Edinburgh Review'.

I wasted the morning in preparing an oration for the Presbyterians. It is these persistent "side–shows" of many–sided oratory that fritter away a Bishop's energies, and defeat his main purpose. In the afternoon I motored to see Cruickshank, who is evidently very ill. I saw Moulsdale and told him my decision respecting Stephen Cellan. He was very anxious to impress me with his "loyalty": and told me that he had joined the League of 'Order & Loyalty'. But I am not greatly impressed. Ella & Fearne arrived from Edinburgh in time to accompany me to the Presbyterian meeting. The church was crowded, & the atmosphere fearful. My address was not, I think, very acceptable. I spoke severely of Bolshevism, & very frankly of the anti–Christian tendency of latter–day Democracy. Probably, most part of the audience were members of the Labour Party, & didn't care to have it so faithfully dealt with! We got back to Auckland about 10.30 p.m.

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