The Henson Journals

[90]

Monday, March 2nd, 1931.

Snow had fallen during the night: and according to Elland there were 16 degrees of frost. This menaces the wall flowers, and arrests the crocuses.

I was driven from my study by a smoking chimney, & took refuge in the smoking–room. Arthur Lost came to see me about getting additional aid for the Barrington School from the Eccles.' Comrs. I told him that he had better write directly to Downing. Then Lilburn came to lunch, & to talk about his vacant assistant curacy. I fear that from the account he gave of his parish, the Church is a languishing condition. About 15 confirmation candidates out of a population of 7000 tells its own tale. He did not seem to appreciate the gravity of the situation.

Charles and I motored to Stockton, where I confirmed 175 persons in the parish church. In spite of the fact that the organ was out of use, the service was hearty and also reverent. Froggatt, Petrie, Bott, Champion, Coen, Talbot, McGill and Lamb were the clergy present. Before the service I had a short interview with the ex–papist woman from Petrie's parish, who desires to become an Anglican – a simple poor creature whom any church would suit.

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