The Henson Journals

[21]

2nd Sunday after Epiphany, January 18th, 1931.

The weather was detestable, unhealthily warm, wet, and finally tempestuous. I preached twice in the Cathedral, and on both occasions the weather affected the congregation unfavourably. However, there were many people in the cathedral, and they were creditably attentive. In the morning I found the voice–magnifying machinery rather embarrassing: but, in the evening the annoyance was less. The Student Christian Association has an annual service in the cathedral. They turned out in considerable numbers. My sermon included a criticism of the Dean of S. Paul's, and this circumstance may have added to the interest of the sermon, which was, I fear, very dull. Two students, a male and a female, read the lessons. They were introduced to me afterwards, and I complimented the young lady on the excellence of her reading. I did not add that I thought it little less than scandalous that she should read at all in such a place!

The ceremonial in the cathedral is almost oppressively precise, and regulated.

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