XI. Sunday with Sir Roger
Motto. "First honour the immortal gods, as it is commanded by law."—Pythagoras, Fragments.
[101]: 20. Instruct them rightly in the tunes of the Psalms. The service in the parish churches throughout England at this time was slovenly and spiritless. Samuel Wesley, father of John, who was then rector of the parish of Epworth, complains that his people prefer the "sorry Sternhold Psalms," have "a strange genius at understanding nonsense," and sing decently only "after it has cost a pretty deal to teach them."
[103]: 10. The clerk's place. In the English parishes the clerk is the layman who leads in reading the responses of the church service.
103: 23. Tithe stealers. Tithes are a tax, estimated as a tenth (tithe) of the annual profits from land and stock, appropriated for the support of the clergy. The tithes in England are now commuted to rent charges.