1/86] REV. WILLIAM SMITH, D. D. 1/9 



2d Psalm was so evidently just, that I have giv^en Mr. Hall the trouble 

 of transposing the verses from the end of Ascension Day to the begin- 

 ning of Whitsunday. The transposing of the substitutes for the Venite 

 to the Morning Prayer seems to me not quite so proper, as the placing 

 them as we have done in the case of the 4th of July, etc., and the 

 collects for Ash Wednesday, to services appropriate to the respective 

 days ; besides which, it would make a break in the Morning Prayer, 

 which at present stands just as it is to be read. The prefaces in the 

 communion being continuations and part of the sentence of what pre- 

 cedes them, could not have been otherwise placed without confusing 

 the officiating minister. You do not lay stress on this, and it stands as 

 before. 



I give up my sentiment respecting the hymnifying the psalms; and 

 shall only observe, that in mentioning the opinion of our brethren of 

 this city, my intention was not to undervalue yours, or that of our 

 brethren whom you have an opportunity of consulting ; but only to be 

 a counterpoise to that deference I entertain for your judgment which 

 might otherwise have made me sacrifice my sense of the matter rather 

 more easily than my duty in the present business would warrant. 



I enclose you Mr. Hopkinson's hymns of which I request your opinion. 

 I intend executing this matter agreeably to your desires. You seem to 

 have left a little liberty with regard to verbal alterations: If I am wrong 

 you will correct me. I wish you could get rid of "the Spoil of Armies 

 once their dread," as applied to Ascension Day. 



I shall be attentive to the Calendar. It is not within our appoint- 

 ment; and yet I believe we shall be thanked for so dividing the lessons 

 as to serve the triple purpose of shortening the service, expunging the 

 Apocryphal chapters, and getting rid of some the public reading of 

 which may seem immodest. I fear we must let the New Testament 

 lessons stand as at present : and yet the Gospels and Acts might be 

 very well worded so as to be read twice instead of thrice in the year. 

 As to the table of proper lessons, I have taken great pains with it and 

 hope it will meet your approbation. 



I like your preface both in plan and in execution. The particularities 

 in mine are rendered unnecessary by the articles you have inserted as 

 proposed at the Revolution. A few observations that occurred to me 

 in the reading I have noted in a separate paper and will enclose. 



You seem to have applied what I said on the article of expense to the 

 printer's business instead of the psalmody. I approved highly of your 

 proposal in this respect; but should begrudge the money, if much were 

 to be inserted. You seem to have been as little versed as myself in the 

 costs of this business. 



You speak of $ i for the book. I thought of the same ; but find 

 some are of opinion, that it will be considered z.% forcing money for our 

 funds. It is an objection that should have no weight, but for our read- 



