Chapter 34
In the manner typical of time, the days seemed to drag on endlessly, but the weeks seemed to fly by. Before Elizabeth even realized, the entire month of May had passed, and she was being told that it was time for baby Emma Jane to be baptized and Louisa to be churched.
“Will you be her godmother, please, Elizabeth?” Louisa asked.
“Me?” Elizabeth replied with surprise. “Would you not prefer your own sister, or perhaps a woman who is married?”
“Charles is to be her godfather, and your mother is standing in as one of her godmothers, since Reggie’s sister is unable to come. We would like for you to be the other,” Louisa said. “You were closest to Jane, after all, and I would like for my daughter to learn about her namesake from the woman who knew her best.
“Then I would be honored,” Elizabeth said.
As the family was all still in mourning, both the baptism and the churching were held at the chapel, but only the Longbourn and Netherfield residents were in attendance. While most babies were baptized before their mothers were churched, Louisa was adamant that she not miss out on any part of her daughter’s ceremony. As Emma Jane was in good health, Dr. Fields was willing to allow a delay of the baptism.
Everyone settled into the pews, and Louisa was brought to the front of the church, where she knelt in front of the priest. He then said, “‘Forasmuch, as it hath pleased Almighty God of his goodness to give you safe deliverance, and hath preserved you in the great danger of Child-birth: you shall therefore give hearty thanks unto God, and say…’”
Here Dr. Fields opened his Bible to the 127th Psalm.
“‘Except the Lord build the house: their labour is but lost that build it.
“‘Except the Lord keep the city: the watchman waketh but in vain.
“‘It is but lost labour that ye haste to rise up early, and so late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
“‘Lo, children and the fruit of the womb: are an heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord.
“‘Like as the arrows in the hand of the giant: even so are the young children.
“‘Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
“‘Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
“‘As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.’”
Each of the congregants echoed in agreement, and he read aloud the Lord’s Prayer. Once he had completed it, he began the portion of the ceremony in which Louisa herself participated. “Oh Lord, save this woman, thy servant.”
“Who putteth her trust in thee,” Louisa responded.
“Be thou to her a strong tower,” he continued.
“From the face of her enemy.”
“Lord, hear our prayer.”
“And let our cry come unto thee,” finished Louisa.
“Let us pray,” Dr. Fields said, and everyone once again bowed their heads in reverence.
“‘O Almighty God, we give thee humble thanks for that thou hast vouchsafed to deliver this woman thy servant from the great pain and peril of Child-birth: Grant, we beseech thee, most merciful Father, that she, through thy help, may both faithfully live, and walk according to thy will, in this life present; and also may be partaker of everlasting glory in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.’”
Dr. Fields helped Louisa to her feet, then escorted her over to the table where the Communion rested on a white linen cloth. She once again knelt, and he repeated the Lord’s Prayer for a second time. After it was finished, he recited the Ten Commandments.
After each commandment was spoken, Louisa quietly said, “Lord, have mercy upon me and incline my heart to keep this law.”
Responding with the words of the service, Dr. Field read aloud, “‘Almighty and everlasting God, we are taught by thy Holy Word, that the hearts of Kings are in thy rule and governance, and that thou dost dispose and turn them as it seemeth best to thy godly wisdom: We humbly beseech thee so to dispose and govern the heart of George thy Servant, our King and Governor, that, in all his thoughts, words, and works, he may ever seek thy honor and glory, and study to preserve thy people committed to his charge, in wealth, peace, and godliness: Grant this, O merciful Father, for thy dear Son’s sake, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.’”
“Amen,” replied all those in attendance.
If the word was spoken a bit more forcefully by some than others, Dr. Fields chose to ignore it. It was, after all, difficult to ignore the fact that both King George III and George IV—the Prince of Wales who was ruling in his father’s stead as regent due to his father’s mental illness leaving him unfit to rule—were in desperate need of prayers and God’s help.
Louisa was then brought to her feet once again, and Dr. Fields read aloud the Nicene Creed. He then said, “As only Mrs. Hurst is participating in the holy Communion for the purpose of the Churching, I shall forgo the readings of the Offertory and the prayers for the alms. This is also for the sake of the babe, who I imagine will not have much more patience—and neither will some of you!”
A small chuckle rippled throughout the church, and Dr. Fields moved on to the exhortation.
“‘Dearly beloved in the Lord, ye that mind to come to the holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, must consider how Saint Paul exhorteth all persons diligently to try and examine themselves, before they presume to eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup. For as the benefit is great, if with a true penitent heart and lively faith we receive that holy Sacrament; (for then we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and drink his blood; then we dwell in Christ, and Christ in us; we are one with Christ, and Christ with us;) so is the danger great, if we receive the same unworthily.
“‘For then we are guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ our Saviour; we eat and drink our own damnation, not considering the Lord’s Body; we kindle God’s wrath against us; we provoke him to plague us with divers diseases, and sundry kinds of death. judge therefore yourselves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord; repent you truly for your sins past; have a lively and steadfast faith in Christ our Saviour; amend your lives, and be in perfect charity with all men; so shall ye be meet partakers of those holy mysteries.
“‘And above all things ye must give most humble and hearty thanks to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, for the redemption of the world by the death and passion of our Saviour Christ, both God and man; who did humble himself, even to the death upon the Cross, for us, miserable sinners, who lay in darkness and the shadow of death; that he might make us the children of God, and exalt us to everlasting life.
“‘And to the end that we should alway remember the exceeding great love of our Master, and only Saviour, Jesus Christ, thus dying for us, and the innumerable benefits which by his precious blood-shedding he hath obtained to us; he hath instituted and ordained holy mysteries, as pledges of his love, and for a continual remembrance of his death, to our great and endless comfort.
“‘To him therefore, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, let us give (as we are most bounden) continual thanks; submitting ourselves wholly to his holy will and pleasure, and studying to serve him in true holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. Amen.’”
He looked down at Louisa, whose eyes were closed—and Elizabeth had the momentary irreverent thought that perhaps the new mother was sleeping as opposed to contemplating her sins—and he said, “‘Ye that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways; Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon your knees.’”
Louisa opened her eyes—which caused Elizabeth to give a sigh of relief that her friend would not be embarrassed by having to be awakened—and recited along with the priest:
“‘Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.’”
Dr. Fields smiled down at Louisa and pronounced her absolution: “‘Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him; Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.’”
At this point, Emma Jane began to cry. Dr. Fields gave everyone a wry smile, as if to apologize for being correct in his assumption that the babe would not last through the ceremony. He quickly ran through the remainder of the prayers, then came to the part where the bread and wine was blessed.
Louisa ate the small piece of bread that was broken from the loaf and took a sip of the wine. Emma Jane’s wailing escalated in volume, and Dr. Fields began sprinting through the final blessings. As soon as the last “amen” was spoken, he helped Louisa to her feet, and she took her crying babe from the wet nurse.
“I am sure the good Lord understands,” Dr. Fields said with a smile. “After all, He was a baby Himself once.”
Elizabeth smiled, as did many of the others in the room. Louisa gave a tired grimace. “Perhaps it was foolish of me to want to be churched first and then do the baptism.”
The parson shook his head and held out a finger for the baby to grasp. “I would never think that a mother was in error for wishing to participate in the holy sacraments with her child. It shows a love of God and family that will serve you well throughout your life. Trust your instincts.”
She nodded gratefully, bouncing little Emma Jane gently to calm her tears. The girl, soothed by her mother’s comforting arms, settled down and cooed at the finger she held in her tiny grip. Dr. Fields chuckled, then said, “Well, let us get this little girl baptized, then, shall we?”
He led the pair over to the font, which had already been filled with water. Mr. Hurst, Elizabeth, Bingley, and Mrs. Bennet were motioned forward as well. Mrs. Bennet had been asked to stand in as proxy for Mrs. Gertrude Fields nee Hurst, Mr. Hurst’s elder sister, who was with child herself and unable to travel for the ceremony.
Once they had taken their places at the front, Dr. Fields began, once again speaking quickly as one finger was held tightly by the child.
“‘Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin: and that our Saviour Christ saith, None can enter into the kingdom of God, except he be regenerate and born anew of Water and of the Holy Ghost: I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous mercy he will grant to this Child that thing which by nature he cannot have; that he may be baptized with Water and the Holy Ghost, and received into Christ’s holy Church, and be made a lively member of the same.
“‘Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, who of thy great mercy didst save Noah and his family in the ark from perishing by water; and also didst safely lead the children of Israel thy people through the Red Sea, figuring thereby thy holy Baptism; and by the Baptism of thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ, in the river Jordan, didst sanctify Water to the mystical washing away of sin: We beseech thee, for thine infinite mercies, that thou wilt mercifully look upon this Child; wash him and sanctify him with the Holy Ghost; that he, being delivered from thy wrath, may be received into the ark of Christ’s Church; and being stedfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in charity, may so pass the waves of this troublesome world, that finally he may come to the land of everlasting life, there to reign with thee world without end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
“‘Almighty and immortal God, the aid of all that need, the helper of all that flee to thee for succour, the life of them that believe, and the resurrection of the dead: We call upon thee for this Infant, that he, coming to thy holy Baptism, may receive remission of his sins by spiritual regeneration. Receive him, O Lord, as thou hast promised by thy well-beloved Son, saying, Ask, and ye shall have; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: So give now unto us that ask; let us that seek find; open the gate unto us that knock; that this Infant may enjoy the everlasting benediction of thy heavenly washing, and may come to the eternal kingdom which thou hast promised by Christ our Lord. Amen.’”
At each amen, everyone repeated the word. At this point in the ceremony, everyone stood, and Dr. Fields read from the Bible, which his curate held open for him at his side.
“‘Hear the words of the Gospel, written by Saint Mark, in the tenth Chapter, at the thirteenth Verse. They brought young children to Christ, that he should touch them; and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.’”
The Bible was closed and set aside, and Dr. Fields continued to quickly recite the ceremonial words which he had long since memorized from The Book of Common Prayer.
“‘Beloved, ye hear in this Gospel the words of our Saviour Christ, that he commanded the children to be brought unto him; how he blamed those that would have kept them from him; how he exhorteth all men to follow their innocency. Ye perceive how by his outward gesture and deed he declared his good will towards them; for he embraced them in his arms, he laid his hands upon them, and blessed them. Doubt ye not therefore, but earnestly believe, that he will likewise favourably receive this present Infant; that he will embrace him with the arms of his mercy; that he will give unto him the blessing of eternal life, and make him partaker of his everlasting kingdom. Wherefore we being thus persuaded of the good will of our heavenly Father towards this Infant, declared by his Son Jesus Christ; and nothing doubting but that he favourably alloweth this charitable work of ours in bringing this Infant to his holy Baptism; let us faithfully and devoutly give thanks unto him, and say,
“‘Almighty and everlasting God, heavenly Father, we give thee humble thanks, for that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of thy grace, and faith in thee: Increase this knowledge, and confirm this faith in us evermore. Give thy Holy Spirit to this Infant, that he may be born again, and be made an heir of everlasting salvation; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.’”
Turning to Elizabeth, Bingley, and Mrs. Bennet, he then directed the next words towards the three chosen as godparents.
“‘Dearly beloved, ye have brought this Child here to be baptized, ye have prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ would vouchsafe to receive him, to release him of his sins, to sanctify him with the Holy Ghost, to give him the kingdom of heaven, and everlasting life. Ye have heard also that our Lord Jesus Christ hath promised in his Gospel to grant all these things that ye have prayed for: which promise he, for his part, will most surely keep and perform. Wherefore, after this promise made by Christ, this Infant must also faithfully, for his part, promise by you that are his sureties, (until he come of age to take it upon himself,) that he will renounce the devil and all his works, and constantly believe God’s holy Word, and obediently keep his commandments.”
“‘I demand therefore, dost thou, in the name of this Child, renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow, nor be led by them?”
As one, the three godparents responded, “I renounce them all.”
Dr. Fields continued. “‘Dost thou believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth? And in Jesus Christ his only-begotten Son our Lord? And that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost; born of the Virgin Mary; that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; that he went down into hell, and also did rise again the third day; that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; and from thence shall come again at the end of the world, to judge the quick and the dead? And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Catholick Church; the Communion of Saints; the Remission of sins; the Resurrection of the flesh; and everlasting life after death?’”
“All this I steadfastly believe.” As Elizabeth spoke these words, she felt their weight in answering on behalf of the baby.
“‘Wilt thou be baptized in this faith?’”
“That is my desire.”
“‘Wilt thou then obediently keep God’s holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of thy life?’”
“I will.”
As Dr. Fields spoke the next words, Elizabeth pondered on all that had been promised. Realizing it wasn’t the time, she vowed she would think on whether she had been keeping God’s will and commandments in her life.
“‘O merciful God, grant that the old Adam in this Child may be so buried, that the new man may be raised up in him. Amen.
“‘Grant that all carnal affections may die in him, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in him. Amen.
“‘Grant that he may have power and strength to have victory, and to triumph, against the devil, the world, and the flesh. Amen.
“‘Grant that whosoever is here dedicated to thee by our office and ministry may also be endued with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly rewarded, through thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost live, and govern all things, world without end. Amen.
“‘Almighty everliving God, whose most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of his most precious side both water and blood; and gave commandment to his disciples, that they should go teach all nations, and baptize them In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Regard, we beseech thee, the supplications of thy congregation; sanctify this Water to the mystical washing away of sin; and grant that this Child, now to be baptized therein, may receive the fulness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and elect children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.’”
After gently removing his finger from Emma Jane’s grip, Dr. Fields took her in his arms. Looking at Elizabeth, Mrs. Bennet, and Bingley, he said, “Name this child.”
“Emma Jane Louise Hurst,” the three godparents said in unison.
Having spoken to Dr. Carson and Mr. Jones in advance to assure himself that Emma Jane was healthy enough to withstand it, Dr. Fields gently dipped her into the water of the font until she was entirely submerged for a brief moment. As he did so, he said, “I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
“Amen,” came the murmurs from the church occupants, but they were scarcely heard over the baby’s wails of protest from having been placed in the cold water.
“We receive this Child into the congregation of Christ’s flock, and do sign her with the sign of the Cross,” Dr. Fields said loudly over the sobs as he made the sign of the cross on Emma Jane’s forehead, “in token that hereafter she shall not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under His banner, against sin, the world, and the devil; and to continue Christ’s faithful soldier and servant unto her life’s end. Amen.”
He bounced her gently up and down to calm her, while loudly saying, “Seeing now, dearly beloved brethren, that this Child is regenerate, and grafted into the body of Christ’s Church, let us give thanks unto Almighty God for these benefits; and with one accord make our prayers unto him, that this Child may lead the rest of his life according to this beginning.”
At this point, everyone knelt and recited the Lord’s prayer together. Afterwards, Dr. Fields continued the prayer by saying:
“‘We yield thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, that it hath pleased thee to regenerate this Infant with thy Holy Spirit, to receive him for thine own Child by adoption, and to incorporate him into thy holy Church. And humbly we beseech thee to grant, that he, being dead unto sin, and living unto righteousness, and being buried with Christ in his death, may crucify the old man, and utterly abolish the whole body of sin; and that, as he is made partaker of the death of thy Son, he may also be partaker of his resurrection; so that finally, with the residue of thy holy Church, he may be an inheritor of thine everlasting kingdom; through Christ our Lord. Amen.’”
Everyone rose to their feet, and Dr. Fields turned his attention once more to Elizabeth and her two fellow godparents, telling them:
“‘Forasmuch as this Child hath promised by you her sureties to renounce the devil and all his works, to believe in God, and to serve Him: ye must remember, that it is your parts and duties to see that this Infant be taught, so soon as she shall be able to learn, what a solemn vow, promise, and profession, she hath here made by you. And that she may know these things the better, ye shall call upon her to hear Sermons; and chiefly ye shall provide, that she may learn the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, in the vulgar tongue, and all other things which a Christian ought to know and believe to her soul’s health; and that this Child may be virtuously brought up to lead a godly and a Christian life; remembering always, that Baptism doth represent unto us our profession; which is, to follow the example of our Saviour Christ, and to be made like unto Him; that, as He died, and rose again for us, so should we, who are baptized, die from sin, and rise again unto righteousness; continually mortifying all our evil and corrupt affections and daily proceeding in all virtue and godliness of living.
“‘Ye are to take care that this Child be brought to the Bishop to be confirmed by him, so soon as she can say the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, in the vulgar tongue, and be further instructed in the Church-Catechism set forth for that purpose.’”
With that, the ceremonies were complete, and Emma Jane was returned to her mother to be changed into dry clothes and comforted, then fed by the wet nurse.
For her part, Elizabeth was left with much to ponder, both in her new responsibilities as godparent, as well as those she had received when she herself had been baptized.
Was she truly doing all she could?
It was a question that would follow her throughout her life.