The Henson Journals

[233]

Wednesday, December 7th, 1927.

The daily demands on my thought and strength are just enough to exhaust both, leaving no margin of either for the larger tasks of my Office.

I wrote to Lang about the 'Black Rubrick', pointing out there was no real inconsistency between his position and mine: and then I fell to preparing a speech for the meeting of ^Society for^ the Prevention & Rescue Work of the Diocese', which has its meeting here this afternoon. How to be relevant without being also indecent is not an easy question! The main handicap on this particular work is a profound and almost irremovable scepticism as to its practical value. The State Room was well–filled, and I noticed a larger proportion of men, mainly clergy, than usual. I delivered my speech which was listened to attentively, & then we all went into the Chapel where I received the "Women's Offering", which amounted to about £560. Everybody had tea, and then departed. Dick and his wife went with me to Annfield Plain, where I explained to his churchfolk the new project for a temporary church, & took the opportunity to speak about the new Prayer Book.