The Henson Journals

[91]

Saturday, June 16th, 1928.

[symbol]

James Parker–Smith sends me an interesting account of the debate in the House of Commons, at which he was present almost throughout:

"It was clear that the Protestant drum had been sounded loud enough to frighten the man in the street whether Church or Dissenter, that the opponents were thoroughly keen & in earnest, &, I think that the supporters were a good deal frightened as to what they would find to be the opinion of their constituents."

This agrees with the opinion of the Parliamentary Correspondent of the Times:–

"All the oratory in the world could hardly have carried it (i.e. the Measure) against a curious alliance of extremists on both wings of the Church, which drew support also from a vague resentment at the growth of lawlessness in certain dioceses in recent years and from an element in the House which is disposed to vote against any form of constituted authority."

The Labour Party may take credit for defeating the Book, for if it had abstained from voting, there would have been a majority of 1 for the Book. If the "Celtic fringe" had abstained, & England alone had voted, there would have been a majority of 11 for the Book (208 to 197).

[92] [symbol]

Some reflections are suggested by the division which are not unimportant:–

1. The extreme unpopularity of the Anglo–Catholick version of Anglicanism. Nobody on either side was moved to say a word in its favour. The only point was whether the new Prayer Book was, or was not, an effective instrument for restraining it.

2. The strength of the 'No Popery ' frenzy. Neither the education of the people, nor the prevalence of secularism has destroyed this sentiment. It is still a force to be reckoned with in the political world.

3. The unpopularity of the Bishops. No credit was given to episcopal assurances. No consideration was shown for episcopal feelings. The Bench was treated with open contempt.

4. The almost total absence of any conception of the Church as a spiritual society. Nobody seemed to realize the grotesqueness of the assumption, on which the majority voted, that the government of an episcopal church should be taken out of the hands of the Episcopate. It seemed to be taken for granted that the Bishops both could and would "take it lying down", and meekly obey the orders of the House of Commons.

[92][sic] [symbol]

I wrote a short sermon for use at the dedication of the Seamen's Church in Sunderland. In the afternoon I walked round the Park, basely avoiding the invasion of Gateshead people, who came to hold service in the Chapel, & disport themselves in the Park. Bishop Wood from Newcastle was their preacher. He came to me in my study, and talked about the crisis in the Church, of which, I think, he hardly perceives the gravity.

I received from the Author, Sir Robert Donald G.B.E., a copy of his book, "The Tragedy of Trianon, Hungary's Appeal to Humanity". There is an Introduction by Viscount Rothermere, which has the effect of destroying confidence in the good faith of the writer.

The only two bishops who comment on the rejection of the Revised Prayer Book in the newspapers are the inevitable windbags – Frodsham and Welldon. There are some foolish opinions vented by Lord Wolmer, and a rather indiscreet letter in the Times from his father.

Fisher Ferguson is reported to have caused the bell of the parish church at Collierley to be rung when the news of the voting arrived about 11.30 p.m., and to have held a service of Thanksgiving for the crowning mercy!!

His oath of canonical obedience doesn't mitigate his manners!

---