D. Glasgow, 1906;
Durham, 1913; Oxon, 1918; Head of the Oxford House, Bethnal Green,
1887-88; Vicar of Barking, Essex, 1888-95; Select Preacher at
Oxford, 1895-96, 1913-14; Cambridge, 1901; Incumbent of St. Mary's
Hospital, Ilford, 1895-1900; Chaplain to Lord Bishop of St.
Alban's, 1897-1900; Canon of Westminster Abbey and Rector of St.
Margaret's, 1900-12; Sub-Dean of Westminster, 1911-12; Dean of
Durham, 1912-18; Bishop of Durham, 1918-20; late Hon. Professor of
Modern History in Durham University; Proctor in Convocation,
1903-18.

[Illustration: BISHOP HENSLEY HENSON]

CHAPTER V

BISHOP HENSLEY HENSON

_He early attained a high development, but he has not increased it
since; years have come, but they have whispered little; as was said
of the second Pitt, "He never grew, he was cast_."--WALTER BAGEHOT.

Rumour has it that Dr. Henson is beginning to draw in his horns. Every
curate who finds himself unable to believe in the Virgin Birth, so it
said, feels himself entitled to a living in the diocese of Durham. They
flee from the intolerant zealotry of the sacerdotal south to the genial
modernism of the latitudinarian north.

But the trouble is, so rumour has it, these intelligent curates prove
themselves but indifferent parish priests. Dr. Henson has to complain.
The work of the Church must be carried on. Evangelicalism seems a better
driving force than theology. Dr. Henson has to think whether perhaps . . .

One need not stop to ask if this version is strictly true. The fact
seems to emerge that the Bishop of Durham, one of the ablest intellects
in the Church of England, and hitherto one of the strongest pillars of
modernism, is beginning to speak theologically with rather less
decision.

Let us at least express the pious hope that the Dean of Durham, Dr.
Welldon, has had nothing to do with it. A greater man than Dr. Henson, a
greater scholar and a profounder thinker, has spoken to me of this new
movement in the Bishop's mind with a deep impersonal regret. Modernism
will go on; but what will happen to Dr. Henson? "A man may change his
mind once," he said; "but to change it twice--"

The words of Guicciardini came into my mind, "The most fatal of all
neutralities is that which results not from choice, but from
irresolution."

There is much to be learned, I think, from a study of Dr. Henson's
personality. He stands for the moment at a parting