The Henson Journals

[154]

Tuesday, July 24th, 1928.

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The day has been completely wasted in writing letters. There was an exasperating, and very unfortunate error in the article on "Durham Castle" in the Times. A contribution of 1000 dollars appears as one of £10,000, unless, indeed (which I cannot think possible) the amount 'from the Dominions' came in after I had left London. In any case, the Times has helped me nobly.

Lionel and I walked round the Park in the afternoon. There came to dine the Bishop of Gloucester and Miss Headlam, the Bishop of Gibraltar & Mre. Hicks, Dr MaCullough & the Vicar making, with the house party, a company of ten.

My Ordination candidate, Mr Philip Innes, sends me the book which he has published. "The Human Touch, Sunshine and Shadow in a Hospital." It is series of moving incidents which he has witnessed in the Hospital, & which he records & evidently "writes up". How much is fact, & how much is commentary 'twere hard to say, but there is throughout the rather melodramatic sentimentalism of the popular press. These stories are the staple of Dissenting preaching, & they provoke as much scepticism as interest. On the whole, I find them more disconcerting than helpful. They are so obviously designed to untie the purse–strings.