The Henson Journals

[39]

Friday, May 18th, 1928.

Miss Macdonald, the 'Rescue Worker', had an interview with me. She had been perturbed by my veto on work with men & boys! But I don't think she will do much harm, & she repudiates the public meetings in which Miss Maud evidently exults!

The Spectator contains a review of Judge Lindsey's 'Companionate Marriage', disconcertingly favourable.

Lionel motored me to Leadgate, where I confirmed about 100 persons. The old vicar, Coney, is almost imbecile, but notwithstanding this circumstance, or perhaps in consequence of it, he has just married an elderly widow! Happily the Rural Dean was present, so that I was able to transfer to him the share in the service which is commonly applied to the Incumbent. The service was reverent & well ordered: for this the credit must be assigned to the curate, Woodward.

I read through a tract by Hugh Walpole, 'My religious Experience', published in the series 'Affirmations' published by Ernest Benn, & edited by Percy Dearmer. The editor is assisted by "a small committee of which Dr David, Bishop of Liverpool is Chairman". Walpole's tract is autobiographical, and includes a very hostile description of a Cathedral City, which can easily, and will be generally, recognized as Durham.