The Henson Journals

[84]

Wednesday, February 25th, 1931.

A mild day, mostly bright but windy. I have Charles Lightfoot's Philippians for a Birthday present, as he attains the age of 27 today.

I worked at the Conference Address. Charles and I motored to Darlington, where I confirmed 99 persons in S. Cuthbert's Church. They came from four parishes – S. Cuthbert's, S. Paul's, Hurworth, &, Ingleton. The four Incumbents – Drury, Jardine, Faber, & Suthrien – came with their candidates. The males numbered hardly more than one fourth of the whole. There were no men in the choir. Generally I was not well–pleased. After service we went to the Vicarage, & dined. Esmond Drury, a fine upstanding young man, was there. He has just returned from Kenya, where, like so many others, he has tried & failed to earn his living. His parents think that he is well–suited to become a clergyman, & they are evidently indicating as much to the youth himself. But I am not very favourably disposed towards the now–common practice of turning to the career of the Christian minister after having failed to "make good" in some secular career. In any case, the young fellow must offer himself of his own unforced will, not to please even his parents.

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