The Henson Journals

[30]

3rd Sunday after Epiphany, January 25th, 1931.

A beautiful morning, and without wind. As I was celebrating at Spennymoor, there was no celebration in the Chapel, but I rose at the usual time, & prepared (or rather revised) my notes for the sermons which I would preach later in the day. Charles went to New Shildon to celebrate there, since the incumbent is hors de combat.

Charles went with me to Spennymoor, where the Patronal Festival of the parish church was being observed. Mattins was followed by a choral celebration. I preached & celebrated. My text was Romans xii. 18. "Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits." There were more than 100 communicants, & of these a fair proportion were men. Certainly I took a favourable impression from the service.

Merryweather began his (permitted) ministry at Binchester, a fact which the local newspapers were careful to announce.

I motored to Swallwell, where I arrived some minutes after time by reason of a foolish blunder on Leng's part. He took me to Winlaton for some strange inexplicable cause. The Church is small & squalid. The congregation was worthy of it. Petitjean was serenely self–satisfied!

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