The Henson Journals

[108]

Tuesday, July 1st, 1930.

I received from S.P.C.K. a cheque for £5.13.1. on account of my commission of 10% on sales of the pamphlet. 'Church State in England'. It appears that 2262 copies have been sold, surely a very disappointing number, but the subject is abhorrent to most Anglicans, who shrink from the suggestion of Disestablishment all the more vehemently since they cannot dispute its reasonableness. [symbol] Another "Open Letter" on the subject of the British lazzaroni has appeared this time from Alderman J. Chuter Ede J.P., M.P. for South Shields. It is illustrated with a picture of Auckland Castle, and a photograph of the Bishop, I wrote to him a gentle letter of protest. That is all the notice that I can fittingly take of his attack.

The thin–skinned resentment of "Labour", which is evoked by the merest suggestion that it is not perfect is a very embarrassing and very menacing phenomenon. With an electorate swollen by the most ignorant unserviceable of the population, the flattery of the mob is the shortest safest road to popularity: for most men, popularity is the unum necessarium of life. It is difficult to discover any effective remedy for this ill state of the world, as it stands now.

[109]

I wrote to Reichel thanking him for his Address on the Resurrection, which was really good, though somewhat belated in the mental attitude which it discloses.

I read through Warren's charming poem, "The Death of Virgil", and returned it to Richards.

Bidgood of S. Luke's came to lunch. He wanted to consult me about the education of his boy, aged 12, who appears to be a dullard.

A Church Army Captain, named Clark, now working in S. Stephen's parish, South Shields, came to see me. An aunt has left him money enough to pay for 2 years training at a Theological College, he aspires to be ordained. I said that if he went to Salisbury Theological College for 2 years, passed the Deacon's examination I would ordain him. He gives a horrifying account of the over–crowding in South Shields. The buildings are officially condemned, but as there are no houses in which to place the people who wd be dispossessed by their demolition, they are suffered to continue in use.

Ella went with me to Hamsterley, where I collated Gerald Linnell to the Vicarage. Save the Rural Dean none of the local clergy was present. The Linnells dined with us before going home.

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