The Washington herald., 1913-08-31
Along the Line of the Old
'BLue LAM" Tendencies

observance OF SaDDaIn was al uIBt paSeo
on a letter of instruction from the Gov
ernor and deputy of the company in
England in 1870. which provided that
every one should stop their labors on
Saturday at o'clock in the afternoon,
and that they spend the rest of the day
in catechising and preparations for the
Sabbath as the minister shall direct" Il
will be seen, therefore, that the Sabbath
was observed according to the wishes of
the ministers, who at that time welded
an immense authority. In 1864 the elders.
or ministers, gave forth the following
answers to questions propounded to
them: IA
DHy "Abused by Children"
THE gathering of sticks on the Sab
bath day may be punished with DEATH"
If committed with high hand.
Then in 1916 the General Court decreed
that if any person withdraw himself
from hearing the public ministry Of the
word after due means OF conviction used
he shall forfeit for his absence from
every such public meeting five shillings."
Conviction was explained in 1913 as mean
ing legal conviction"
In 1853 the General Court found that
the Lords day was being abused 'by
children playing in the streets and other
places" and "by youths, maids, and
other persons both strangers and others
uncivilly walking the streets and fields
travelling from town to town. going on
shipOoard," &C; all of which was at
tempted to be stopped by the imposition
of fines. In 1854 complaint was made
of much disorder in time OF public wor-
ship, and an attempt was made to stop
it, and to prevent people from leaving a
congregation before the full conclusion
of public exercises.
Now in 1858 il seems that Sunday pro-
fanation was on the increase, and that
the sun being set both every Saturday
and on the Lords day young people and
others take liberty to walk and sport
themselves in the streets or fields" The
General Court imposed fines to stop this.
1t was enacted in 1867 that offenders
that shall in any way transgress against
the laws, little Sabbath either in the
Westinghouse by abusive carriage or
misbehaviour, by making any noise or
otherwise, be forthwith carried forth and
put into cage in Boston set up in the
market place or IN such other towns as
the county courts shall appoint there TO
remain until the person offending be
suitably punished"
This game General Court ordered con-
stables when they discovered meetings
Of Quakers to break down the doors and
arrest the frequenters. They were then
complained of as being absent from pub
lie worship on Sunday. and punished.
In I7l6 the Legislature discovered that,
although many laws had been passed,
Sunday desecration was on the increase,
and that many persons do presume to
work and travel on the said day" In
order to stop this the fines were doubled.
In 1727 funeral services on the Sabbath
were prohibited except in extreme cases,
as they induced great Proclamation by en-
ticing curious children and servants into
the streets to watch them.
But in 1850 all the former laws relat-
ing to Sunday were repealed and a new
one enacted, because, by reason of diff
ferent constructions of the several laws
now in force relating to the dissertation
of the Lords Day, the said laws have
not been duly executed, and notwith-
standing the pious intention OF the leg
islatOrs the Lords Day hath been greatly
and frequently profaned."
This act, in brief, stopped work or play
on land or water, and prevented travelling
except in eXtremities, and then only for
immediate relief. Hotels and public houses
were forbidden to entertain or serve any
one except travellers, strangers, and lodg-
ers. Lettering. walking, or gathering IN
companies in streets. fields. orchards, |
lanes, wharves, &C, was prohibited, while
absence from public worship for one
month subjected one to a fine of 10 shil-
lings. No one was allowed to assist at ,,
any funeral service unless it be licensed.
except in Boston. where it might be held
after sunset on Sunday.
The base of the present Sunday law
is chapter IS of the acts OF 1871. This
act repealed all the former Sunday laws
and was the first Sunday code adopted
in Massachusetts after the adoption of its
State constitution. The preamble to this
act is instructive, and shows that a
change In public sentiment had taken
place. In all of the earlier acts the in
fuence Of the church was supreme, and
the main purpose seemed to be to force
people into church and keep them there
until service was over. The preamble is
as follows: Whereas the observance OF
the Lords Day is highly promotive Of
the welfare of community by afferding
necessary seasons for relaxation from
!abour and the cares OF business; for
moral reflections and conversation on the
duties of life, and the frequent errors |
of human conduct; for public and private |
worship of the Maker, Governor and
Judge of the World and for those acts Of |
charity which support and adorn a Chris |
tian society; and whereas some thought |
less and irreligious persons inattentive to |
the duties and benefits OF the Lord $ |
Day, profane the same by unnecessarily |
pursuing their worldly business and rec
reations on that day, to their own great |
damage, as members of a Christian So |
ciety, to the great disturbance OF we'll |
disposed persons" The act itself pro-
vided: That no person or persons what |
soever shall keep open his, her or their |
shop, warehouse or workhouse nor shall |
upon land or water do any manner Of |
labour, business. or work (work Of neces- |
sity and charity only excepted nor be |
present at any concert of musick, adnc- |
ing, or any public diversion, show or en- |
tertatnment, nor use any sport, game, |
play, or recreation on the Lords Day."
Travelling was prohibited, except from |
necessity or charity.
Must Attend Church.
Under this act, ''any person being able |
of body and not otherwise necessarily |
prevented, who shall for the space OF |