The provisions of the Colony and Province laws, on this subject, were
embodied in our State law of 1792, which prohibits every person from
keeping open his shop, ware-house, or work-house, on the Lord's day, &
from doing any labor or work, excepting that of necessity and charity, and
from attending concerts of music, dancing, &c. It likewise prohibits
travelling by drovers, teamsters, &c. visiting taverns, &c. during the time
included between the midnight preceding and the sun-setting of the Lord's
day. It likewise prohibits games, diversions, recreations on the land or
water, on the evening next preceding or succeeding the Lord's day. Under
the Colonial government, it was for some time made a question when the
Sabbath should be considered as commencing; but in 1645 it became a custom
to regard the evening of the last day of the week as the beginning of the
Sabbath. Several clergymen however considered Saturday afternoon as the
commencement of holy time.

The following extracts from our town records will show in what manner the
Sabbath was observed by our pious ancestors.

"1644.

"Ordered, that twoe be appointed every Lord's day, to walk forth
in the time of God's worshippe, to tak notice of such as either
lye about the meeting-house, without attending to the word or
ordinances, or that lye at home, or in the fields, without giving
good account thereof, and to tak the names of such persons, and
to present them to the magistrate, whereby they may be
accordingly proceeded against."

"1677.