=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.