The Henson Journals

[194]

5th Sunday after Trinity, July 17th, 1927.

The brilliant hot weather continues. I celebrated the Holy Communion at 8 a.m. in S. Cuthbert's Church. The beauty of the situation, the austere dignity of the building & the freshness of the morning gave an extraordinary charm to the solemn yet simple service. A thrush had come into the church, and abode by the altar, from time to time interjecting its cry: but mainly it was a piously–disposed bird, & did not disturb the service. I attended Mattins, which was abbreviated, & with a sermon which took but a few minutes, only occupied 50 minutes! In the afternoon we sate in chairs and talked until Evensong at 6.30 p.m. when I preached the same little sermon which did duty at Buckingham Palace. There was a considerable & very attentive congregation. After supper we walked up the hill with the squire (Hutchinson) and his ladies.

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