The Henson Journals

[72]

Friday, January 10th, 1930.

I have suddenly realized that I am pledged to preach at Westminster Abbey on Sunday, February 9th. The first & not the least difficult question which must be answered is that which concerns the choice of a subject. What shall I preach about? My mind for some while past has been turning in the direction of a plain sermon on the old issue which our Modernists have clothed with new urgency. What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He? But the difficulty of indicating the answer in a discourse which may by no means exceed half–an–hour in length is as considerable as it is apparent.

Brooke and I motored to Newcastle, & had the coal–dust washed from our heads by the hair–dresser.

The Officers of the D.L.I. territorials gave their annual ball in the Drill Hall. Ella took a party of young men & women who dined here beforehand.

Brooke and I had a great talk on all sorts of 'problems'. Perhaps because he is so much younger than I, he is far less "pessimistic", but, indeed, I am not cheerful company at present.

The weather, which was fine in the morning, grew to be wet and stormy at nightfall.

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