Chapter XXVII--Usury oppresses the poor--continued 168 Chapter XXVIII--Usury oppresses the poor--concluded 174 Chapter XXIX--Usury centralizes wealth 180 Chapter XXX--Mammon dominates the nations 189 Chapter XXXI--Effect on character 206 Chapter XXXII--Ax at the root of the tree 219 Chapter XXXIII--Per contra; Christian Apologists 233 Chapter XXXIV--Per contra; Land Rentals 243 Chapter XXXV--Per contra; Political Economists 253 Chapter XXXVI--Usury in History 258 Chapter XXXVII--Francis Bacon 266 Chapter XXXVIII--Why this truth was neglected 272 Chapter XXXIX--Crushed truth will rise again 281 Index 293 TO MY READERS. 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. CHAPTER I. DEFINITION. 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."