Pamela Religion Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

As Farmer Jones has been kind to you, as I have heard you say, pray, when you take Leave of them, present them with three Guineas worth of good Books, such as a Family-Bible, a Common-Prayer, a Whole Duty of Man, or any other you think will be acceptable, for they live a great way from Church; and in Winter, the Ways from their Farm thither are impassable. (99.20)

Here, Pamela makes sure that her parents' friends can worship when it is too dangerous to travel to church. Remember, Pamela's yearly salary was around four guineas, meaning that these are some pretty expensive books. We can't help wondering if Farmer Jones wouldn't have rather had the money, but then we're cold-hearted cynics.

Quote #8

It seems, the neighboring Gentry had expected us; and there was a great Congregation; for (against my Wish) we were a little of the latest; so that, as we walked up the Church to his Seat, we had abundance of Gazers, and Whisperers: But my dear Master behav'd with so intrepid an Air, and was so cheerful and complaisant to me, that he did Credit to his kind Choice, instead of shewing as if he was asham'd of it; and as I was resolved to busy my Mind intirely with the Duties of the Day, my Intentness on that Occasion, and my Thankfulness to God, for his unspeakable Mercies to me, so took up my Attention, that I was much less concern'd than I should otherwise have been, at the Gazings and Whisperings of the Ladies and Gentlemen, as well as of the rest of the Congregation, whose Eyes were all turn'd to our Seat. (101.2)

Here, Pamela describes turning to religion to tune out all the gawkers at church. It sounds like some of the church-goers should be paying more attention to the service and less attention to the rich guy's servant bride.

Quote #9

The Dean preached again, which he was not used to do, out of Compliment to us; and an excellent Sermon he made on the relative Duties of Christianity; and it took my peculiar Attention; for he made many fine Observations on the Subject. Mr. Martin address'd himself twice or thrice to me, during the Sermon; but he saw me so wholly engross'd with hearkening to the good Preacher, that he forbore interrupting me; yet I took care, according to my dear Sir's Lesson, formerly, to observe to him a chearful and obliging Behaviour, as one of his Friends and Intimates. (101.13)

Don't you hate it when you're just trying to listen to the sermon and your husband's friend keeps cracking jokes in your ear? Yeah, so does Pamela—but she manages to (1) teach him a lesson, and (2) be polite at the same time, which is more than we can say for ourselves.