The Henson Journals

[46]

Ascension Day, May 29th, 1930.

Another brilliant morning: the landscape an orgy of leaf and flower, all filled with the singing of birds. Sursum corda [lift up your hearts].

I celebrated the Holy Communion in the Chapel at 8 a.m. We numbered 9 communicants.

The newpapers announce that the Abp. of C. has cancelled his engagements in June on the advice of his doctors in order that he may have complete rest before the Lambeth Conference. The old mischief – duodenal ulcer – is again manifesting itself. This has an ill look.

It is stated that the Bishop of Rochester (Harmen) has resigned on the ground of illness. He is 72, five years older than I am.

Pattinson and I motored to Gateshead where I dedicated a new Holy Table and Reredos, which had been erected by the communicants at a cost of about £400. Considering the seductive fineness of the evening, I was agreeably surprised at the size of the congregation. The number of the choir, and the excellency of the singing impressed me. Swift, the Vicar, has no music in him: so the credit must be the organist's

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