The Henson Journals

[210]

23rd Sunday after Trinity. November 20th, 1927.

I celebrated the Holy Communion in the Chapel at 8.a.m. We numbered 12 communicants including the 3 Brydens and John.

I wrote to an Edinburgh student named Traill, who had sent me an album with the request that I would write something in it. He expressed himself so ardently that I could not but be kindly disposed towards him, & therefore I not only did what he asked, but wrote him a civil letter & sent him a copy of the 'Continuity' sermon. He had been in the congregation when I preached in S.Giles's, & appears to have read several of my books. In these evil days, one is ready, perhaps too ready, to welcome disciples in any quarter!

After lunch I motored to Newcastle, & there lectured on "England without Religion" – this "stunt" title was not minted by me, but by the minister of the Congregational Church who had asked me to lecture – to around 500 people of both sexes, but mainly masculine, who were said to be largely school teachers. They listened with attention and at the close applauded with fervour. A reporter took away my notes. I had tea with Canon & Mrs Newson and then went to Holy Trinity Jesmond & preached at Evensong. There was a large congregation, but the acoustics of the church are bad & I doubt whether my hearers were edified.