The Henson Journals

[182]

4th Sunday after Trinity, July 10th, 1927.

A most glorious summer's day. I celebrated the Holy Communion in the Chapel at 8 a.m. There were 10 communicants, including William, Edward, and Florrie Bryden. Is there any goodlier sight on earth than that of young people, in the arduous & simplicity of youth, presenting themselves at the Altar of the Redeemer?

There was a service of Church Lads Brigade in the garden. The fineness of the day, the beauty of the place, & the appearance of the lads made the spectacle attractive. It did in fact attract a considerable company of the townsfolk. Save for the fainting of two of the boys, everything passed (passed) off well enough.

I motored to Sunderland, & preached at Evensong in All Saints Church. The last time when I appeared there was in May last year, when I could not preach, & had to go home in agony. Before beginning my sermon, I said a few words on that episode, and thanked the people for their sympathy. My text was taken from the Gospel of the Day – "With what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again." My sermon was very short so that I was back at the Castle by 8.45 p.m. The number of motors on the road is suggestive of anything but Church–going: and we are yet only at the beginning of the motoring–epidemic.

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