The Henson Journals

[43]

Monday, May 27th, 1930.

"In the present financial situation of the Diocese the Bishop cannot sanction any additions to the objects for which the Diocese, as such, is financially responsible: and he would, therefore, deprecate any appeals for money for any new object made through the normal diocesan machinery (i.e. rural deanery & parish). The use of that machinery could not but be interpreted as implying Diocesan (i.e. episcopal) sanction."

H.D.

The above is a memorandum which I drafted, and gave to Lomax who has evidently gone far in a project for raising funds to defray the cost (£10,000) of building, and the deficit on the working expenses (£400) on his precious 'Retreat House'. He wasted more than two hours of good working time, and lunched here. He is evidently seeking to plant his un–remunerative project on the diocese: but I won't take it on.

[44]

A most glorious day. The lilacs are in bloom, & the laburnums about to follow. Tulips and rhododendrons are breaking into flower: and wall–flowers are in almost gross opulence of scent & colour. The copper–beech is wonderfully beautiful: & the freshness of vernal green has not yet coarsened into the plentiful leafage of summer.

I started on the Article for S.P.C.K. and had written about half, when I was interrupted by that intolerable Lomax.

I walked round the Park after lunch. Pattinson and I motored to Gateshead Fell, where I confirmed over 100 persons in the parish church. Spencer Wade told me that the announcement of his being commanded to preach before the King had greatly moved the people. His own congregation has presented him with a set of robes in which to perform his duty! I suspect that the actual experience for the quaint little function in the Chapel of Buckingham Palace will be rather an anti–climax to all this preliminary excitement!

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