The Henson Journals

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25th Sunday after Trinity, November 25th, 1928.

Centenary Celebration at Seaham Harbour:

A boisterous night preceded a boisterous day. This must be one of the stormiest Novembers on record. I celebrated the Holy Communion in the Chapel at 8 a.m. We numbered but 6 communicants, including Lionel and John. Lionel and I motored to Seaham Harbour, where I preached in the parish church at a special service, which was attended by the local civic authorities, including several Roman Catholicks. Lord Londonderry read the lessons. After the service we all lunched with the Dillons. My sermon, on which I had bestowed more pains & time than the occasion demanded, was listened to very closely, & did, I imagine, make an impression. One of the churchwardens, some kind of mine–official, thanked me for my "thoughtful sermon", an expression which is a welcome relief from "eloquent" which is so familiar & so unmeaning. After lunch we returned to Auckland.

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