and in Connecticutt. Proper prayers must be substituted for the American Governm't in the room of those for the King and Royal Family. We ought to have a code of Ch'h-laws or Canons, plain and simple. Some power should be given to the Bishop or Bishops, but our Dernier resort must be in a general Council which should be supream and have the Power of censuring or depriving Bishops as there may be occasion. Such are some of the thoughts that have occurr'd to me upon this Subject. But tho' we have a happy opportunity of making our Liturgy appear in some points to greater advantage, yet for my part I had much rather remain as we are than break into Parties, or run into a thousand little schisms to the destruction of all harmony and uniformity, as I cannot help fearing, is too likely to be the case if once we begin to alter, or to make innovations. The Communication of your Sentim'ts upon the Subject would be very agreeable to Yr affectionate Bror. and very hum'le Serv't, REV'D MR. PARKER. The dread of innovations so sensibly felt by the worthy missionary at Newburyport was not experienced by his brethren at the South. A little later-under date of August 16th, 1785-the Rev. Charles Henry Wharton, of New Castle, Delaware, to whom reference has already been made, addressed a letter(1) upon the same subject to Mr. Parker, from which we make the following extract: "I think the simplyfying of the Liturgy should be among the first objects of the Convention. Whatever was left with a view of reconciling parties at the period of the Reformation, or retained as suitable to Cathedral Service may safely be omitted by the American Church. Perhaps such an opportunity never occurred since the days of the Apostles of settling a rational, unexceptionable mode of worship. God grant we may improve it with unanimity and wisdom." 1 From the collection of the Editor. A few days prior to the date of this communication, this gentleman had written to the Rev. Dr. White to the same effect, and very much in the same words :— "I have been thinking of drawing up a few remarks upon the Liturgy but as this will probably be done by much abler hands, believe I shall drop it. It is clear that every one ought to reflect thoroughly on the object of the Convention, which I am convinced will have the best opportunity of perfecting a Christian scheme of worship that has ever presented itself since the days of the Apostles." Resuming the same subject in a subsequent communication early the following month, he adds:— "If no alterations in the Liturgy are to be made, but such as the revolution requires, there is little need to think much upon the Subject, unless perhaps omissions be not deemed alterations. My decided opinion is that our prayers are too numerous, as well as the repetitions. I shall draw up a motion on this head, which I mean to make at the Convention, if you should approve of it." Taking these extracts, which might be almost indefinitely increased, in connection with the action of the Virginia Convention, which had openly advocated a review of the Liturgy, subject, however, to the subsequent confirmation of their own body, and the measures of the Maryland Convention, determining by special enactment the proper authority for "framing, approving of, or confirming-such Alterations or Reforms in the Church Service, Liturgy, or Points of Doctrine, as may be afterwards found necessary or expedient by the Church, or of the United States in General Conventions,"(')—we are led to conclude that there was a general disposition prior to the time of the meeting of the Convention in 1 Vide the "Additional Constitutions" appended to the "Address" printed above. Philadelphia, in 1785, to proceed to a thorough review of the Liturgy and Offices of the Church. But little appears on the pages of the Journal from which we may learn either the reasons for the changes proposed by the Committee, or the reception they met with from the members of the Convention. A niore guarded and less communicative record could hardly be found. Even the Alterations agreed upon after debate and revision were reserved until they should appear in the Prayer Book itself, as proposed; and, owing to delays which are noticed in the correspondence we subjoin, they were not made public until the following Spring. For the purpose of throwing additional light upon this critical epoch of our ecclesiastical history, we give below the Alterations which were agreed upon by the Convention, as they appear in the Appendix to Bp. White's Memoirs, and subjoin from the original manuscripts in the possession of the General Convention the whole correspondence of the Committee of Revision-so far as it has been preserved. Nothing we could offer in the way of elucidation or illustration could exceed these familiar and often carelessly written communications, prepared with no idea of preservation even, and much less with a view to publication. It was only as the result of an after thought on the part of Dr. Smith that they were preserved in their original state; and having passed subsequently into the hands of Bp. White, they are here printed for the first time, as affording historical and liturgical information, the most interesting and important. An examination of the original letters would fully warrant all the playful recriminations with reference to haste and illegibility which we find in the postscripts of these communications; and it is but just to add that in a number of cases portions have been wholly defaced by time or accident. As they arewith no attempt at correction or improvement-they are offered, with the confident assurance that their perusal will amply repay the student for the time and trouble their contractions and involutions may cost him : Alterations agreed on and confirmed in Convention, for rendering the Liturgy conformable to the principles of the American Revolution, and the constitutions of the several states. 1st. That in the suffrages after the Creed, instead of O Lord, save the king, be said O Lord, bless and preserve these United States. 2nd. That the prayer for the Royal family, in the morning and evening service, be omitted. 3rd. That in the Litany the 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th. petitions be omitted, and that instead of the 20th and 21st petitions, be substituted the following—That it may please Thee to endue the Congress of these United States, and all others in authority, legislative, executive, and judicial, with grace, wisdom and understanding, to execute justice and to maintain truth. 4th. That when the Litany is not said, the prayer for the high court of Parliament be thus altered-"Most gracious God, we humbly beseech thee, as for these United States in general, so especially for their delegates in Congress, that thou wouldest be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations to the advancement of thy glory, the good of thy Church, the safety, honour and welfare of thy people, that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavors upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations," &c. to the end: and the prayer for the king's majesty, altered as follows: viz.-O Lord, Our heavenly Father, the high and mighty Ruler of the universe, who dost from thy Throne, behold all the Dwellers upon Earth; we most heartily beseech thee, with thy Favour to behold all in Authority, legislative, executive and judicial in these United States; and so replenish them with the Grace of thy holy Spirit, that they may alway incline to thy will and walk in thy way. Endue them plenteously with heavenly Gifts, grant them in Health and Wealth long to live and, that after this Life, they may attain everlasting Joy and Felicity, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 5th. That the 1st. Collect for the King in the Com munion Service be omitted; and that the second be altered as follows-instead of "the hearts of Kings are in thy rule and governance," be said "That the hearts of all Rulers are in thy governance, &c; and instead of the words "heart of George thy servant, insert,-so to direct the Rulers of these states, that in all their thoughts, &c." changing the singular pronouns to the plural. (1) 7th. That in the answer in the Catechism to the question-"What is thy duty towards thy neighbour?" for "to honour and obey the king," be substituted-" to honour and obey my civil rulers, to submit myself, &c." 8th. That instead of the observation of the 5th of November, the 30th of January, the 29th of May, and the 25th of October, the following service be used on the 4th of July, being the Anniversary of Independence. 9th. That in the Forms of Prayer to be used at Sea, in the Prayer "O eternal God, &c." instead of these Words"unto our most gracious Sovereign Lord King George and his Kingdoms," be inserted the Words-" to the United States of America," and that instead of the Word "Island" be inserted the Word "Country;" and in the collect "O Almighty God, the Sovereign Commander," be omitted the Words "the Honour of our Sovereign," and the Words "the honour of our Country" inserted. Service for the 4th of July. With the sentences before Morning and Evening Prayer. The Lord hath been mindful of us, and he shall bless us, he shall bless them that fear him, both small and great. O that men would therefore praise the Lord, for his goodness, and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men. Hymn, instead of the Venite. My song shall be alway of the loving kindness of the Lord: with my mouth will I ever be showing forth his truth from one generation to another. Psal. 89. 1. The merciful and gracious Lord hath so done his marvellous works: that they ought to be had in remembrance. Psal. 111. 4. (1) No sixth paragraph appears in the MS. nor in Bp. White's printed copy of these Alterations appended to his "Memoirs," pp. 362-377. |