Usury / A Scriptural, Ethical and Economic View

Transcriber's Note:
Inconsistent hyphenation in the original document has been preserved.

I beg the sincere and thoughtful consideration of this book by all its readers. Please follow the argument in the order in which it is presented. This is the way it developed in my own mind and led me, step by step, irresistibly to its conclusions. Do not read the closing chapters first, but begin with the Definition . I believe every candid reader doing this, and having a logical mind, will fully and heartily concur in the condemnation of usury.
I hope these arguments will be fairly treated and justly weighed even by those whose interests seem in conflict. I have simply sought the truth, believing that the truth shall make you free. It cannot be that this or any truth is in real conflict with the highest welfare of any man.
If any sincere friends of this truth are grieved that the argument is so crudely and roughly stated, I can only say in excuse, that, so far as I know or can learn from the great librarians I have consulted, this is the first attempt ever made to fully present the anti-usury argument, and I sincerely hope that others, profiting by my effort, may be able to make it more effective.
The Author.


In the evolution of the English language, since the making of our King James version of the Bible, many new words have been introduced, and many old ones have changed their meanings.
In the nearly three hundred years the Saxon word let, to hinder, has become obsolete. It was in common use and well understood when the version was made, but is now misleading. Thus we have in Isaiah 43:13: I will work and who will let (hinder) it? Paul declared that he purposed to go to Rome, but was let (hindered) hitherto. Rom. 1:13. Again we have in II Thess. 2:7: Only he who now letteth (hindereth) will let (hinder), until he be taken out of the way.
Wot, to know, has become obsolete. Gen. 21:26: I wot (know) not who hath done this thing. Ex. 32:1: As for this Moses, we wot (know) not what hath become of him. Acts 3:17: I wot (know) that through ignorance ye did it.