The Henson Journals

[38]

Wednesday, December 28th, 1927.

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The Baptist Minister, Rev. Herbert Dunnico M.P., who sits as Labour Member for Consett, sends me the Official Report of his speech on the Prayer Book Measure in the House of Commons on December 15th. It is excellent. He spoke 'as a free Church Minister' and claimed 'that in expressing his opinions, he was expressing also the opinions of some of the great leaders of the Free Churches'. He prefers the New Book to the Old, & refuses to see anything objectionable in Reservation. I sent him a short letter of acknowledgement & appreciation.

Kenneth took me for a walk round the Park. We discussed the origin of the Holy Roman Empire, a subject which he is reading about in Bryce. He is certainly keen, but how far he is intelligent is not yet disclosed.

I spent most of the day on the preparation of my sermon for New Year's Day, when I preach in the Cathedral. It is less a sermon that I project than a pronouncement: & the more I attempt to frame it, the more difficult it seems to be to say what I really mean. The temptation is very strong to say nothing, but to 'wait & see', that is, to accept the defeat, & 'take it lying down'!!