“Kingswood Lodge, Lee Green, S.E.
“August 7th, 1876.
“My dear Mr. Ruskin,—It may interest your correspondent, ‘A Reader of
Fors,’ and possibly yourself also, to know that interested persons have
altered old John Wesley’s rules to suit modern ideas.
“Rules of the Methodist Societies (Tyerman’s Life and Times of Wesley,
p. 431).
“Rule.—Leader to receive once a week what members are willing to give
towards relief of the poor.
“Altered to ‘support of the Gospel.’
“Going to law forbidden, is altered to ‘brother going to law with
brother.’
“Original Rule.—The giving or taking things on usury, the words have
been added, ‘that is, unlawful interest.’
“Mr. Tyerman remarks, ‘the curious reader will forgive these trifles.’
“I for one do not at all feel disposed to do so.”
(Nor does St. George; nor has he either leave, or hope, to say, “God
forgive them.”)