The Henson Journals

[426]

Monday, November 4th, 1929.

The newspapers have fairly full reports of my Conference address; the Newcastle Journal again produces my photograph! The public must surely be growing weary of the sight of a not particularly attractive countenance!

Mr. R. C. Langdon–Davies came to lunch. He aspires to be ordained next year, and is now at Mirfield. I gave him five names of the clergy needing curates, to whom he might with reason apply for a title – Baily of St. Ignatius, Sunderland; Stephenson of Gateshead, Garland of S. Mary's. Tynedock; Sleddick of South Westoe, & Bell of S. Hilda's. Darlington. He impressed me favourably. He is more developed than most candidates from the older universities, being 26 years old, & having taught in schools both in South Africa and in Sweden.

Noel Lamidey sent ne a booklet on 'Australian Aboriginal Art' issued by the National Museum of Victoria.

George Nimmins sends me a cargo of birthday good wishes by the Dutch air–post from Java.

[427]

Pattinson and I motored to Sunderland, where I dedicated an altar to the memory of William Burdon Frazer, whom I ordained to the deaconate at Advent 1927, and who died in the summer of 1928. He was a loveable and promising young man, whose early loss was widely lamented. His parents were in the congregation, & were introduced tome afterwards. Edgar Jackson, the Vicar of S. John's Sunderland, has held that position for 10 years. He is a good and devoted man, with a rough exterior and a raucous voice. He is a strong "Anglo–Catholick", but loyal to the Church and Bishop. He has certainly gained a remarkable influence over the squalid population to which he has the pastoral communion. The church was built in the 18th. century, & has a fairly comfortable appearance. His curate, Bishop, is one of the most promising of the younger men. He is an Oxford man, & makes a good second to Jackson. The poverty of the congregation was as apparent as their piety was noteworthy. We returned to Auckland after the service.

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