The Henson Journals

[180]

21st Sunday after Trinity, November 6th, 1927.

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Ralph wrote to me an affectionate letter, recalling our long friendship, but still insisting on his accusation that I have 'changed'. What can I say? To carry the responsibilities of episcopal office, to acquire the knowledge which ten years of episcopal administration brings, to have been brought into situations almost incredibly novel – these are circumstances which could not but necessitate change of many kinds. The society of criticising talkers, and clever men of the world, with whom Ralph constantly associates, & which creates about him a perilous atmosphere of adulation, is relatively unchanging. It takes no account of forces & tendencies, and being wholly free from responsibility can express its own preferences and prejudices without restraint. It still uses the language of severe legalism which seemed reasonable enough half a century ago. It is not affected by the impossibility of recruiting the clergy, or manning the parishes apart from this Anglo–Catholick party which has now almost a monopoly of enthusiasm. To discuss ecclesiastical politics with these "Modernist" doctrinaires is almost impossible.

[181] [symbol]

The congregation which faced me when I went into the pulpit to preach to the University of Leeds was in khaki, and the service was obviously arranged as a memorial service! But my sermon on the subject of Tolerance had no connection whatever with the Great War! It was a comfortless and embarrassing situation. There was nothing for it but to go resolutely forward as if nothing untoward was happening. This I did, and the congregation was more attentive & interested than might have been expected in the circumstances. Dr Baillie expressed warm approval of the sermon, which, he said, was just what a sermon to students ought to be. So far, so good. A 'Yorkshire Post' reporter carried off my MS. after the service. Before lunch I walked for an hour with mine house discussing the state of the new universities in general, & Leeds in particular. After lunch I returned to Auckland, being met at Darlington by the car.

The 'Observer' completes its review of the Bishops by a flatterous description of Woods, Headlam, and Temple. I do not remember a more impudent piece of journalism. And all this indecent discussion of possible appointments is altogether 'previous', for His Grace of Cantuar lives & may live for a long while yet.