The Henson Journals

[212]

Friday, July 19th, 1929.

When passions are calm, shams flourish. Mere verbal Theories which could not stand the strain of a real agitation, pass muster in the calmer intervals.

Leslie Stephens. History of English Thought in the xviiith Century. vol. ii p. 166.

This is being demonstrated in the case of the Establishment of the Church of England.

I motored to Barnard Castle, and presided at a meeting of the Governor. The decline in numbers continues, & the school is no longer paying its way. We decided to hold a special meeting to consider the situation.

Hodgson & Bircham were both present, but quite well–behaved.

Numerous company appeared to play tennis, including Sir Edmund & lady Chaytor. Lag Söderblom came also. He gave an ill account of his father's health.

The drought continues, but the heat is less oppressive. The country generally is getting to look 'burnt up'.

[213]

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Carnegie Simpson reviews the Charge in the 'British Weekly' rather belittlingly, the book will "not precipitate a crisis'.

'But it will help to prepare the Anglican mind for what will happen some day – and in politics "some day" may easily mean "any day" – and meanwhile he (the Bishop of Durham) is to be credited with an intellectual candour and a moral courage which, along with an exceptionally clear and forceful style will find for his book appreciative, even if not always, convinced, readers.'

The 'Times of India' has an article which purports to give an account of the Bishop of Durham but so evidently knows nothing about him that its estimate of his character & opinions is worthless.

"At length Dr Henson reached Hereford: but his visits to London were so innumerable that Anglo–Catholic curates wd ask pertly whether he thought his Diocese was situated somewhere in the metropolis".

Now did you ever? I am notoriously an absentee from nearly all meetings in London.

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