The Henson Journals

[157]

Tuesday, November 11th, 1930.

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My obiter dictum – it was hardly more – about the desireableness of fixing a date for the discontinuance of Armistice Day by an announcement from the proper authority has clearly moved much resentment. Lady Adam Smith writes to me from Aberdeen in terms of excited, almost hysterical protest. Lord Jellicoe expresses him vehement repugnance, & the Bishop of Ripon 'replies to the Bishop of Durham' at great length. There is, of course, the usual stream of abusive and largely anonymous letters.

Ella and Charles went with me to Durham where I attended to service for Armistice Day in the Cathedral.

There seemed to be a large congregation. The Dean gave an address, in which, of course, he expressed his dissent from his diocesan! After service, I had speech with the Bishop of Jarrow about the affairs of the miserable Merryweather. The man lies still at Mirfield, reported to be ill.

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In the afternoon I had a conference of incumbents on the question, urged vehemently upon me by Walls of Shildon, ought the church as such to make an effort to raise funds for providing shoes etc to the poorer children attending the elementary schools.

[158]

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There are present the following incumbents:–

1. Canon Stephenson, Gateshead

2. Canon Poole, Ch. Ch., West Hartlepool.

3. Canon Stock, S. Paul's, Gateshead.

4. Watson, Houghton–le–Spring

5. Watts, Shildon

6. Morris Young, New Shildon.

7. Heselton, West Rainton.

8. Shaddick, S. Michael's, South Westoe.

9. Rambow, Shotton.

10. Richardson, Heworth.

11. Salter, Hartlepool.

12. Appleton, Seaham Harbour.

13. Garland, S. Mary's, Tyne dock.

14. Canon Jackson, Chester–le–Street.

15. Davison, S. Helen's, Auckland

16. Myers, South Moor.

17. Booth, Jarrow

We decided that it would be inadvisable to make a general appeal, but the desire was expressed that I should make some public statement about the situation in the County. I promised to consider this suggestion. After tea in the Library the company dispersed.

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