The Henson Journals

[282]

Monday, August 26th, 1929.

"It is a great calamity for a people when its criminal classes have learned to take an active part in politics."

Lecky iii. 157

Leng took the Austin car into Newcastle to have some repairs effected = & left me without resource for my journey to South Shields where I had arranged to institute Cecil Booth to the Vicarage of Holy Trinity. However Pattinson succeeded in raising a car in the town, which carried us to South Shields in time for the service. A large number of the local clergy attended – an evidence of Booth's popularity. There was a considerable congregation including a rather unusual proportion of men. I spoke from I. Cor: I.10 "Now, I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, & that there be no divisions among you: but that ye be perfected together in the same mind & in the same judgement". It seemed to be a sincere & edifying service: but then who can tell?

[283]

"It cannot be too emphatically stated that there is no historical evidence for the theory which connects the new birth of Europe with the passing away of the fateful millennial year & with it of the awful dread of a coming end of all things."

Rashdall 'Universites' I. 31

Among the clergy at Booth's institution was Holmes, who had been Vicar of the church when I came there as a Missioner more than 30 years ago. Also, there was a decent–looking man in a black gown, who took his place with the clergy, & was afterwards introduced to me as the local Baptist minister.

Alfred Fawkes arrived from Scotland for a short visit. He seems very well, but looks more papistical than ever!

The newspapers give prominence to the statement that Father Vernon, the most prominent of the Anglo–Catholick preachers, has been received into the Roman Church. I should think it neither unlikely nor undesirable that his example should be followed by others.

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