The Henson Journals

[4]

2nd Sunday after Easter, May 4th, 1930, Military Service in York Minster.

A thick mist and a drizzling rain was Alexander's report on the weather, when he called me at 6 a.m.; but there was a feeling of fineness in the air, and I refused to allow myself to be dismayed by his pessimism. Ella and I breakfasted comfortably at 7 a.m. and left the castle at 7.30 a.m. We arrived in York in two hours, & went to the Deanery. The minister minster was thronged, and nothing could have been more impressive than the service. The singing of the hymns & the National Anthem was unforgettable. The loud speakers were in good form, and the wireless appears to have acted well. I was assured by many persons that my sermon was well heard: and the warm expressions of General Shute, Sir Hugh Bell, & others allowed me to believe that it was appreciated. After the service there was a march past of the troops, I stood in my robes beside the General, & saw the men pass. We were frequently photographed by a batch of indefatigable photographers.

[5]

We motored home, lunching on sandwiches by the way, and arrived at 2.20 p.m. I had just time to put a few finishing touches to the notes of my sermon to the Freemasons when that service in the chapel became due. There was a smaller attendance of Brethren than on previous occasions. I prefaced my sermon by a statement about the new practice of admitting women to Freemasons' Services. I said that in my view, it was undesirable & unsustainable, and that I would not permit it in the chapel. Then I preached from Proverbs xxvii.17 "Iron sharpeneth iron: so man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend". The men listened attentively and were I hope impressed.

I learned with distress that the unhappy youth who lost control of his machine and collided with a tree while racing in the Park yesterday has died. He is said to be but 19 years old. This untoward incident adds to the fear and loathing with which motor–cycles have ever filled me.

The "Observer" gives some prominence to the quotations from my article "Reflections" in the May issue of the Bishoprick.

[6]

I wrote to Leslie Wilson and John Simpson the two ex–butler's boys. It is a question whether the time is well bestowed: but both the lads write to me, and I fear that, if I left their letters unanswered, I might do them a spiritual injury. I confirmed them both, and, while they were in my service, both were regular communicants in the Chapel. I cannot "wash my hands" of a pastoral responsibility for them.

I began reading "The Vatican Council the story told from inside in Bishop Ullathorne's Letters" by Dom. Cuthbert Butler, Monk of Downside Abbey. The writer is an orthodox Papist, and he makes no attempt to conceal the fact, but he does not give the impression of being deliberately unfair, & he always expresses himself with urbanity. I think it must be allowed that the Anglican estimate of the Vatican Council was distorted by the vehement resentments of the defeated minority, & that the methods of the majority were more defensible that has been generally admitted.

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