1786] REV. WILLIAM SMITH, D. D. 237 



Much do we owe to the two worthy Archbishops. I need not write 



more. I am ])ushing to be home on Sunday, and will strive to be at 



Philadelphia about Wednesday next, the 23d instant 



In haste, yours, Wm. Smith. 



Rev. Dr. White. 



After receiving intelligence from Dr. White of the letter from 

 the Archbishops, two letters came by the same packet: one to Dr. 

 White and one to Dr. Smith, from the Rev. Alexander Murray, 

 prior to the Revolution a missionary of the S. P. G., and who, 

 though returning to England on the Declaration of Independence, 

 ever felt a warm interest in the ecclesiastical welfare of the col- 

 onies. Both letters were under cover to Dr. Smith. The one to 

 Dr. White, and a letter from Dr. Smith to Dr. Wharton enclosing 

 it, here follow : 



Rev. Dr. Murray io the Rev. Dr. White. 



London, July 28, 1786. 

 Dear Sir : Your favor of 4th April I received the 5th instant, via 

 Liverpool, with the remaining parts of your liturgy; but I had before 

 then, just as the June packet was ready to sail for New York, taken the 

 liberty to remind the Archbishop of your Church concerns, and he wrote 

 you accordingly by that opportunity which made it unnecessary for me also 

 to advise you that your consecration bill had at last been passed, though 

 late, owing to your own delays. This you had' besides announced in 

 all our newspapers by the packet. I waited then to send you the act 

 printed. I pressed it twice a week, and with some threats. In the end 

 I expect it in a few days. But as the " Mediator," for your port, is to 

 sail to-rnorrow I thought it proper in the meantime to give you the 

 material parts of the act, which is that it gives authority to either of our 

 Archbishops to consecrate Bishops for foreign nations, "who profess the 

 worship of Almighty God according to the principles of the C'hurch of 

 England, they having the good learning, soundness of faith, and purity 

 of manners of the candidates ascertained to them," (the Bishops.) 

 The other parts of the act are much the same with that for consecrating 

 priests, which I sent you. I need hardly remark the liberal catholic 

 spirit the act is stamped with. It leaves room for admitting local differ- 

 ences in lesser matters which affect not the vitals of our holy religion 

 and the constitution of our Apostolic Episcopal Church. 



Yours affectionately, 



Alexander Murray.* 

 Rev. Dr. White. 



* For a sketch of this minister of our Colonial Church, see Appendix No. III. 



