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Happy All Saints' Day, the holiday eclipsed (at least in the US) by its more famous eve. Having posted both a very long analysis and one short story last week, I decided to shake things up today by sharing a primary resource instead of my commentary. We are blessed in the age of the Internet to have access to many of the original books read by people from Jane Austen's day including the Book of Common Prayer, a mainstay of the Church of England for centuries.
In the calendar of Gentlemen of Gloucestershire, it's still September, so the following liturgy would not have been read when Catherine accompanied her father-in-law General Tilney to church. But with November officially upon us in the present, I decided to share a version of the All Saints' Day service from a 1796 copy of the Book of Common Prayer, courtesy of archive.org and the Boston Public Library. An embedded version is included at the end of this post for those who want to see the actual pages (starting at p. 296).
I have lifted the text straight from the book, so keep in mind that some archaic spellings remain (such as using "f" in place of "s.") The text also does not include a sermon, or the creeds and prayers that were recited regularly as part of holy services. But even though the language may be different, it's great to note the places in history where we may still share a link with those who came before, or as the author of the book of Hebrews describes, "we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses."
O ALMIGHTY God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son Christ our Lord; Grant us grace so to follow thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys, which thou hast prepared for them that unfeignedly love thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
AND I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
JESUS seeing the multitudes, went up into a mountain : and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their's is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for their's is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.