The Henson Journals

[92]

Wednesday, January 23rd, 1929.

The weather has become suddenly mild. My morning's work was confused by the preparation of notes for a speech & a sermon to be delivered later in the day, but I succeeded in doing something on the Preface. At 3 p.m. the King's Hall was crowded with unemployed miners. I spoke for about 10 minutes in advocacy of emigration for the younger men, & then introduced the lecturer, Mr Plant, who did not seem to me very happy. Jimmie Dobbie arrived about 4 p.m., & accompanied me to Annfield Plain, where I consecrated the new church. He acted as my staff–bearer. He and Gerald Linnell returned with me to the Castle, & stayed the night. I was surprised agreeably by the comparative dignity of the new church, which has only cost £4000. There was a considerable muster of the clergy from the Rural Deanery, and a very large congregation. Dick was in the seventh heaven. He has had much to daunt & discourage him, so that the achievement of the Consecration was really very gratifying.

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