I /Si] rev. WILLIAM SMITH, D. D. 53 



During the year 1781 Dr. Smith, who had been elected Grand 

 Secretary of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, was re- 

 quested to prepare for the press a new edition, in an abridged form, 

 of the " Book of Constitutions." This he did, making also a Preface 

 to the work. The minutes of a meeting held November 22, 1781, 

 give us these records : 



The Abridgement of the Book of Constitutions being read, the same 

 was unanimously approved of, and ordered to be printed; and also, that 

 the Thanks of this Grand Lodge be given to our beloved Brother, the 

 Reverend William Smith, D. D., Grand Secretary, for the great Care 

 and Attention he has bestowed in revising and abridging the said Book 

 of Constitutions. 



Resolved, That the Mason's Arms be engraved as a frontispiece for 

 the book, and in case our beloved and illustrious brother Gen' Wash- 

 ington permit it to be dedicated to him, that his Excellency's arms be 

 engraved and prefixed to the dedication. 



The Dedication to General Washington is found in the book. 

 It is thus : 



To his Excellency Gtorge Washington, Esq., General and Commander 

 in Chief of the Armies of the United States of America: 

 In Testimony, as well of his exalted Services to his Country, as of 

 that noble Philanthropy which distinguishes him 

 among Masons. 

 The following Constitutions of the most ancient and honour- 

 able Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, by 

 Order and in Behalf of the Grand Lodge 

 of Pennsylvania, (Sic, is 

 dedicated, 

 By his Excellency's most humble Servant, 

 and faithful Brother, 

 William Smith, Grand Secretary. 

 June 24, 1782. 



The Preface to the book, as we have said, is from Dr. Smith's 

 pen. It is curious as illustrating the range of his information and 

 interests. To those readers who take pleasure in the recondite 

 subject of Free Masonry, it will Ijave perhaps attraction. For them 

 chiefly I give it here : 



The design of the following work (according to the appointment of 

 the Grand Lodge) is only to extract, abridge and digest under distinct 

 heads, the several parts of Ahiman Rezon, so as to be most intelligible 



