The Olden Time Series, Vol. 3: New-England Sunday - Gleanings Chiefly From Old Newspapers Of Boston And Salem, Massachusetts by Henry M. (Henry Mason) Brooks
page 20 of 113 (17%)
page 20 of 113 (17%)
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Switzerland and the Calvinism of America. I was brought up in that faith. I
went to meeting in the morning, I danced with the parson's daughter on the green in the afternoon, and I played whist with the parson in the evening." [1] Edward Atkinson, Esq. The legislature of Massachusetts in the year 1760 passed the following laws in relation to Sunday and to the proper observance of Saturday evening:-- "Whereas it is the Duty of all Persons, upon the Lord's-Day carefully to apply themselves publickly and privately to Religion and Piety, the Prophanation of the Lord's-Day is highly offensive to Almighty God; of evil Example and tends to the Grief and Disturbance of all pious and religiously disposed persons. Therefore that the Prophanation of the said Day may be fully prevented: Be it further enacted, That no Person whatsoever shall keep open their Shops &c. &c.--do or exercise any Labour nor any Sport, Game Play or Recreation on the Lord's Day or any part thereof &c. &c. under penalties of not exceeding twenty shillings for every offence." Travelling was also prohibited, and it was enacted,-- "That if any Person or Persons shall be recreating, disporting or unnecessarily walking or loitering, or if any Persons shall unnecessarily assemble themselves in any of the Streets, Lanes, Wharves, High-Ways, Commons, Fields, Pastures or Orchards of any Town or Place within this Province upon the Lord's Day, or any |
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