1785] REV. WILLIAM SMITH, D. D. 143 



the one and sometinnes the other, sometimes in whole Psahns, and some- 

 times in particular verses, we shall greatly improve the reading Psalms 

 in general ; but by our plan there will not so many be retained upon 

 the whole, as you have left standing. On my return from Baltimore, 

 I shall send you, or more probably bring to Philadelphia this part of the 

 work; and then by counting up the whole number of verses retained 

 and dividing them by thirty, we can average the number of verses (a 

 few over or under as the sense may require) which we shall have for 

 daily service. Out of the reading Psalms to be retained in our book, 

 it will be easy to make a selection of the best metre translations, of the 

 best Psalms, to which there may be an addition of some of Watts' best 

 Psalms, and hymns for the festivals and other occasions, which may be 

 got from sundry authors — I hope some may be offered by members of 

 our own Church in America, who are distinguished for their poetical 

 talents, and not ashamed to exert them on the lofty themes of religion. 

 But I am wandering and have no time to write what I wish on this par- 

 ticular topic. 



Dr. Wharton left me on Friday, crossed over to Annapolis, and by 

 the good offices of Governor Paca and Mr. Chase, settled all his private 

 concerns with the intendant, and returned time enough to preach for 

 me in Chester this afternoon. He leaves me to-morrow, but I expect 

 a day from him on his return from Talbot, when we shall take up the 

 calendar, in which I believe you have not left us much to do. 



I now proceed to answer your letter, respecting the first proof-sheet. 



I do not think it an error, that the Litany is made a part of the 

 Morning Service. I think that service would be very incomplete in 

 the essential parts of prayer, and would lose much of its beauty if left 

 without the Litany. Although it is directed to be used every morning, 

 yet the use of it is not made so necessary, but that, where a clergyman 

 is weak in body, the v/eather severe, or for any other good reason, it 

 may not be omitted. 



But I submit to your consideration, whether as you propose to alter 

 the rubric, viz., "The Litany to be used on Sundays and other holi- 

 days" — Wednesdays and Fridays will be considered as holidays. And 

 surely in large towns and cities (of which America will have many in a 

 hundred years more) the good old custom of week-day prayers will not 

 be laid aside. But, without the Litany, Wednesday and Friday prayers 

 (there being no sermon^ would not draw many to church. Let not our 

 abridgments be too great, at least till we see how what hath been done 

 will be received. I think, then, there will be no harm in leaving the 

 rubric before the Litany, as it now is ; only striking out the word 

 "every" — and after the prayer, "We humbly beseech thee, etc.," you 

 may add the rubric which you propose, viz : ^'But 7ohcn the Litany 

 is not used, the t]irce foUozving prayers shall be said instead thereof — 



