They opposed fire and marine insurance, on the ground that it is a tempting of Providence.

Life insurance was regarded as an act of interference with the consequences of God's will.

Houses for lending money on interest and on pledges, that is, banking and pawnbroking establishments, were bitterly denounced, and especially was indignation excited against the taking of high rates of interest, which was stigmatized as usury--a feeling existing in some backward communities up to the present day.

Bills of exchange in the present form and terms were adopted, the office of the public notary established, and protests for dishonored obligations resorted to.

Indeed, it may be said, with but little exaggeration, that the commercial machinery now used was thus introduced.