144 LIFE AND CORRESPOXJ)ENCE OF THE [l/^^ 



which (as the latter rubric may be supposed to explain the former) 

 will at least imply a discretionary power in the minister to omit the 

 Litany even in Morning Service, when in his discretion he thinks it 

 necessary. 



If the place of the two exhortations to the communion is to be 

 altered, Dr. Wharton and myself are of opinion that they should not 

 be placed at the end of the Communion Service ( for it would appear 

 very awkward to have an exhortation to an act of worship, standing 

 after the act itself) but at the beginning, viz., before the prayer, ^'■Al- 

 mighty God unto whom all hearts be open," etc., with a rubric separating 

 them from the Communion Service, and directing that they be read 

 when the notice is given, viz., on the Sunday or some holiday before 

 the communion. 



The proof-sheet is returned. You will see the corrections proposed 

 by Dr. Wharton and myself on the margin ; and the reasons will be 

 obvious. Thus in the Litany — "/// all time of our tribulation :" a semi- 

 colon — yet it is connected with '■'■Good Lord deliver us" — but at the 

 end of the sentence, after the words '■'■Day of Judgment'''' there is only a 

 comma, and so in all the preceding sentences, each of which should 

 have a semi-colon at the end of the sentence, as well as in the previous 

 division of the different members of the sentence. 



After a proof-sheet or two more, I would not wish to give you the 

 trouble of sending the remainder to me, unless you have any alteration 

 to propose ; in which we must be very delicate, in consideration of the 

 great trust committed to us. Dr. Wharton's best compliments. He 

 sits by me while I subscribe myself, 



Yours, etc., 



Wm. Smith. 



Rev. Dr. White to Rev. Dr. Smith. 



Philadelphia, October 21, 1785. 



Dear Sir : I expect to send you by this opportunity the two first 

 proof-sheets. 



Lest you may have left Chester before the return of Wednesday post, 

 I must repeat the substance of my former letter. 



We are all here of opinion that the Litany ought not to be a neces- 

 sary part of the Morning Prayer. The alteration, if you approve of 

 it, may be made as follows : let the rubric before the Litany say, "to be 

 used on Sundays and other holidays appointed by this Church." After 

 the Litany with its attendant Prayers, insert this rubric — "And when 

 the Litany is not said, the three following Prayers shall be used instead 

 thereof," setting down the prayers for the Congress, for the other 

 rulers, and for all conditions. Then set down the General Thanksgiv- 

 ing, etc. In the Evening Service, after the Prayer for Protection 



