The Henson Journals

[65]

New Year's Day.

1929

The world is white with snow under a clouded sky, and there is great stillness in the air. I celebrated the Holy Communion in the Chapel at 8 a.m. We numbered 13 communicants including John, Harry Leng, and Mr & Mrs Elland. I used in addition to the Collect for the Circumcision the little collect in the Revised Prayer Book for New Year's Day.

"O eternal Lord God, who hast brought thy servants to the beginning of another year: Pardon, we humbly beseech thee, our transgressions in the past, and graciously abide with us all the days of our life: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

There is everything bound up in that single petition that God will "graciously abide with us", save only that we would add, since we are so weak & forgetful, "that we may be conscious of His abiding Presence".

[66]

Ella and Linetta motored with me to Hartlepool in the afternoon. We went first to S. Hilda's Church, & inspected the work of restoration which Caröe has been carrying out. The new chancel is exquisite: the very difficult work on the Tower is in progress. Then I deposited the two ladies at Christ Church Vicarage, & went on myself to St Aidan's where Knowlden, with legitimate pride, showed me his fine new schools. I went back to the Vicarage & had talk with Canon & Mrs Poole, with whom were their sons. Then we returned to the Castle, where Eric Fuller had arrived on a visit.

This precious doctor who essays to cure my dyspepsia has succeeded in giving me a headache.

William writes to tell me that he hopes soon to enter into the holy estate of matrimony.

---