The Henson Journals

[200]

Good Friday, April 6th, 1928.

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A most beautiful day. The Chapel illumined by the brilliant morning sun was wonderful. I spent the morning in preparing sermons. It is 'hand–to–mouth' work, and has in abundance all the faults distinctive of that kind of unprincipled labour.

I wrote to James Parker Smith thanking him for an excellent letter on the Prayer Book, which is given a prominent place in the Glasgow Herald.

At 4 p.m. we – Lionel, Kenneth and I – left the castle, & motored to Sunderland, stopping at Durham on the way to enquire after Canon Bothamly who collapsed with heart–failure rather startlingly while driving his car, and now lies at the County Hospital. We had tea at Bishopwearmouth Rectory, & then went to the Victoria Hall, from which the 'Procession of Witness' was to start. The procession was limited to men above 18, & was an imposing one. The Mayor & I with Canon Lillington (representing the Rural Dean, whose walking powers, [thanks to arthritis, were inadequate for so long a walk,) & a se??bly little sectary who is President of the Free Church Council, led the precession. On returning to the Victoria Hall, there was a service, at which I preached. After this we returned to Auckland.

[201] [symbol]

What do I really think about this Procession of Witness? It was impossible not to be impressed by the spectacle of such a company of men traversing the streets singing hymns: &, indeed, the multitudes that lined the route were evidently impressed. The composition of the procession was certainly significant. That the Salvation Army Band should have led the procession, and that the Bishop & Mayor with the representative of Nonconformity & the Member of Parliament should have headed the long succession of surpliced Choirmen & boys, & been followed by perhaps 1500 men, was notable & suggestive. Per contra, the procession has established itself as pleasing to the townsfolk, for whom it provides a welcome relief to the tedium of a holiday. The advertising motive will probably compete with the religious in bringing "leading citizens" into willing cooperation. I did not like the introduction of sentimental anthems sung by the Sunderland orchestra into the service which followed the procession: & the extemporaneous prayer by a local [sectary] was what such an effusion would naturally be. Still, when all these considerations are weighed, there remains enough to make one thankful.