The Henson Journals

[154]

22nd Sunday after Trinity, November 4th, 1928.

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The Sunday was filled with various experiences. First, I attended the University Service in S. Mary's, and heard a sermon from a youngish–looking parson. Brooke, Chaplain of Lincoln. He preached a fair but nowise remarkable discourse from the Words of Christ. "Except ye be converted, & become as little children, ye cannon enter into the Kingdom of Heaven". After emphasizing our Lord's "break–away" from the current religious system, & His insistence on religious simplicity, he affirmed that in these respects He was the norm of religious reformers, instancing S. Francis & Luther. Then he made the inevitable reference to the alienation of modern youth from Religion, & the controversy over the Revision of P.B, connecting them as effect ad cause. This I thought was rather "cheap", for if the P.B. needed revision, it had to be revised; and the controversy was as unavoidable as it is regrettable. Modern alienation from religion has deeper roots.

Kenneth pursued me into the Coffee Room in order to give me his County Council Cheque, & we walked for half an hour. Then Mary Radford & my god–son fetched me in their car, & carried me to 4 Marston Ferry Road, stopping on the way to show me the Dragon (Lynam's) School [155] [symbol] where John is now 'Head of School'. I lunched with the Radford Family, who accompanied me as far as New College, where I called at the Warden's House to see Lady Lawrence who is staying there. I find Fisher entertaining a crowd of undergraduates. On our way through the Parks I stopped to inquire after Fletcher, who had been knocked down by a motor.

At 6.30 p.m. I preached in Quinn's College to about 90 undergraduates. The sermon on 'Friendship' was substantially that which I preached to Winchester School a few months ago. I dined in Queen's, sate between old Sayce and Walker, the Vice–Provost. Magrath, the Provost, still flourishes at the age of 90, & declines all thought of resignation. I had some interesting conversation with Walker. Hunt, the papyrus–man, was there.

After dinner Berrisford, the Chaplain of Queen's College, took me round to Wadham, where I addressed a considerable meeting of undergraduates in the interest of the Oxford House. Lord Hugh Cecil presided, & a rather lugubrious looking fellow named Sir Wyndham Deedes,the Vice–President of the Oxford House followed me. I did not speak well, but the men seemed to be interested. Kenneth walked back with me to the College.

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