It will, I believe, be everywhere found, that as the clergy are, or are not what they ought to be, so are the rest of the nation.
Jane Austen
Before we get to Jane’s prayers, a few words about the society of her
day might be helpful. England during her lifetime (1775-1817), was
considered a “Christian nation.” That is, unlike today, it was
understood that most people had a working knowledge of the
Anglican faith. It was the government-sanctioned religion, and
mainstream.
This does not mean that all people were religious, of course, or even
approving of the general moral codes of the nation. For example, the
French painter and
friend of Marie
Antoinette, Elisabeth-
Louise Vigée LeBrun said of London that,
Sunday in London is as dismal as the climate. Not a
shop is open; there are no plays, nor balls, nor
concerts. Universal silence reigns, and as on that
day no one is allowed to work nor even to play music
without incurring the risk of having his windows broken
by the populace, there is no resource for killing time
but the public walks. These, indeed, are very well
frequented.
The resentment in her tone is unmistakable. She
goes on to describe these walks:
The women walk together on one side, all dressed in
white; they are so taciturn, and so perfectly placid,
that they might be taken for perambulating ghosts.
The men hold aloof from them, and behave just as
solemnly. I have sometimes come upon a couple, and
have amused myself, if I happened to follow them
awhile, by watching whether they would speak to each
other. I never saw any who did.
Mme. LeBrun is evidently referring to a distinct style of walking, called promenading, which
sounds so proper it is likely to conjure visions of stern Victorian dames. But this is shortly before the Regency! In other words, this is the same society that is famous for its upper class scandals and unquenchable thirst for enjoyment. But that was the upperclass. Jane herself would have greatly enjoyed promenading, as she mentions walking out on many occasions. Even the
silence would have suited her, though not if it were prolonged. She loved good conversation as
much as strolling. On one occasion she said in a letter that her cousin George had,
Talked sense to me every now & then in the intervals of his more animated fooleries with Miss
Bendish…There was a monstrous deal of stupid quizzing, & commonplace nonsense talked, but scarcely any wit:–all that border’d on it, or on sense came from my Cousin George, whom altogether I like very
well.
Jane was not given, it seems, to “stupid quizzing and commonplace nonsense.” She was far
more interested in broadening her mind with real and exciting talk that might lead to new
opinions and ideas. The prayers that follow are reminders of the earnest and sober sides of her
nature. She is honest and real when she addresses her God, and yet of course more “pious”
sounding than most of our prayers today. This was due to the nature of the religious upbringing
she had been given in the Anglican church. Indeed, her sentences evoke the cadences of the
BCP (Book of Common Prayer, 1662) which shows a great familiarity with it.
Jane did not only write the three prayers following, but most likely read them aloud in the
evening, as the family sat together near the fire. At the end of each prayer comes “The Lord’s
Prayer,” which would have been recited communally in unison, or repeated by the listeners after
the reader.
Besides her father, the Rev. George Austen, Jane had two brothers who were clergymen (the
Rev. James Austen, her eldest brother; and the Rev.
Henry Austen, her fourth brother). She was also cousin
to four clergymen, and the profession is represented in
each of her novels. There can be no doubt whatsoever
that she was intimately familiar with the ways of the
church, and with private devotions, both alone and with
her family.
One of several prayers written by Jane for Family Devotions
A Second Prayer By Jane Austen
Another Evening Prayer penned by Jane
Another Day Now Gone: Jane Austen’s Third Prayer
A measure of thanks for the safety of the Day
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Linore Rose Burkard writes Inspirational Romance for the Jane Austen
Soul. Ms. Burkard’s novels include Before the Season Ends and The House in Grosvenor Square (April, 2009).
