1/86] REV. WILLIAM SMITH, D. D. l8l 



Page 13. "For the greater ease of the clerks, etc." This rubric 

 says they are to be sung at the discretion of the minister. It may be 

 corrected by putting the words "of choosing" instead of "of the 

 clerks." 



Page 14, in the note. I have here two remarks to make. i. It seems 

 hardly worth while to quote Bishop Burnet for what is to be found in 

 so many writers. 2dly. The explanation will militate against the whim- 

 sical ideas of some persons grounded as they conceive on holy writ. 

 We should avoid touching of principle as much as possible; and the 

 footing on which (I think) we should rest the omission of the clause 

 with the persons alluded to, is that even supposing their opinion true, 

 yet, being grounded on a few controverted passages, it ought not to be 

 made part of so very concise and general a confession of our faith. 



Page 15. '■'■Son of the Church" — say "Member,'''' lest we may seem 

 to deny the right of female judgment. 



Quaere. Ought not some reason to be given for omitting the creeds? 

 The reason might be that we did not judge the Athanasian to tend to 

 edification, and that the Nicene was a repetition. 



And ought not a reason to be briefly given for "the Visitation of 

 Prisoners?" if it were only to make an honest acknowledgment of our 

 debt to the Church of Ireland. 



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



Philadelphia, February 6, 1786. 

 Dear Sir : I had written you a long letter, to send by the Western 

 Shore post: but missed the opportunity from not knowing that the 

 office had changed the days. Another post goes to-morrow morning, 

 but as you may have left Annapolis, I have thought it best to reserve it 

 for the Eastern Shore on Wednesday. If, however, I should have a line 

 from you at Ann's informing of your stay there this week, I will repeat 

 the substance of what I have written, although there is nothing requir- 

 ing an immediate answer. 



So I shall say no more at present, except to acknowledge the receipt 

 of the preface, and to express my approbation of it, and that 



I am, yours affectionately, 



W. White. 

 Rev. Dr. Smith. 



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



Baltimore, Fel)ruary 25, 1786. 



Dear Sir: As Mr. Green, by his newspaper, knew the different 



places where I was to be every day during my late tour for holding the 



election of Visitors and Governors of St. John's College, he forwarded 



your short letter of February 12th to Upper Marlboro' where it met me 



