“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 regentdue 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.
