The Henson Journals

[171]

Friday, March 16th, 1928.

I decided to address the Diocesan Conference on Canon Raven's plea for a Female Ministry.

The whole morning was wasted in writing an article on 'King & Count Palatine' for the Evening Standard. It occurred to me that an account of the Palatinate would assist to keep the appeal for the Castle before the public mind.

Lionel and I walked in the Park. The snow was thawing at a great pace: the Gaunless & its tributaries were in spate, & everything was dripping.

We motored to Dawdon, where I confirmed 130 persons. Duncan's churchmanship is steadily rising: the aspect of the church was quite markedly ''Anglo–Catholick'', and the congregation was quite markedly of the 'weaker sex'! The quaint little curate, Cross, who looks like a shy and undersized lad of 18, assured me that he was happy, active, and loved the people. So far, so good. It is a fortunate thing for some of us that ''the Lord looketh not at the outward appearance'', for if He did, we should stand a poor chance of being accepted!

After the service we returned to Auckland in a high wind. The snow has vanished from the roads, but there are considerable banks by the road side.