1789] REV. WILLIAM SMITL/, D. D. 279 



that end to September 29th, is the preliminary article of this union; 

 and I scarce entertain a tloubt but that the great Head of the Cb.urch 

 will by His blessed Spirit, so replenish our hearts with love, and so 

 bless our joint councils, that we shall attain a perfect uuijonnity in all 

 our churches: or, what is, perhaps, alike lovely in the sight of God, a 

 perfect harmony and brotherly agreement wherever, through local cir- 

 cumstances and use, smaller differences may prevail. 



You will see from our printed journal herein enclosed, that, in a com- 

 mittee of the whole, the business of the Eastern Churches engaged our 

 attention for the first five days of our sitting, and though a desire of 

 union was everywhere evident among the members, yet much difficulty 

 and variety of sentiment and api)rehension prevailed as to the means, 

 in so far that there appeared more than a probability of coming to no 

 conclusion. In this stage of the business, I requested a postponement 

 for one night, on the promise of proposing something against next 

 morning which might meet the apprehensions of all; as we all hatl but 

 one great object of union in view: and I shall ever rejoice in it as the 

 happiest incident of my life, and the best service I have ever been able 

 to render to our Church, that the resolves which were offered the next 

 morning were unanimously and almost instantly adopted, as reconciling 

 every sentiment, and removing every difficulty which had belbre ap- 

 peared to obstruct a general union. 



Bishop White, whom 1 consulted in framing the resolves, and Dr. 

 Moore, of New York, and Mr. (now Dr.) Smith, of South Carolina, 

 were particularly zealous in whatever tended to promote this good work ; 

 and I am well assured that you are in some mistake respecting Bishop 

 White's ha\-ing declined a " proj^osal " for your joining witli him and 

 Bishop Provoost in consecrating a fourth Bishop. He has assured me 

 and also declared in Convention, that no such proposal was ever made 

 to him ; and I believe he has written, or will write to you on this sub- 

 ject. His Avhole conduct, wherever your name and Episcopate have 

 been mentioned, does him honor, and is perfectly agreeable to his well- 

 known excellent temper, and zeal for the peace and unity of the Church. 

 It was Dr. White who seconded, on a former occasion, my motion for 

 not suffering any cjuestion in Convention, which might imply even a 

 doubt of the validity of your consecration, and that at a time when 

 admitting a doubt of that kind was considered by some as a good means 

 of forwarding his own and Dr. Provoost's consecration. 



Now, I cannot have the least doubt of your attending the adjourned 

 Convention, according to the truly respectable invitation given you. I 

 must again repeat the invitation, that you Avill make my house your 

 home, or place of residence, during your stay in Philadelphia. The 

 Rev. Dr. Moore, of New York, will be my other and only guest, in the 

 chamber adjoining yours, and he will accompany you from New York 

 or Elizabeth to my house in Philadelphia, as you may agree: and I 



