* * * * *

This Sunday question has been so often discussed of late years, and the
opinions expressed on the same are so diverse, that it may be well to print
a few selections on the subject from some of the old newspapers, that those
who are interested may see, as a matter of curiosity, if for no other
reason, what views have been entertained within the past century, more
especially in New England, in reference to Sunday.

In a Salem paper of 1775 the following notice appeared:--

WHEREAS the sober and thoughtful People of this Town are much
displeased by the great Noise and Disturbance made in the
Streets, on Saturday and Sabbath Day Evenings. It is earnestly
desired that all Heads of Families would keep their Children and
Servants at Home, on those Evenings, and thereby greatly
contribute to the Quiet of the Town and Peace of the Inhabitants.

The appearance of Essex Street in Salem at the present time on Saturday
evening would seem to indicate that "heads of families" do not now "keep
their children and servants at home."

* * * * *

From a communication in the "Massachusetts Centinel," April 30, 1788,
"riding on the Sunday" is held to be a "flagrant crime."

_For the_ CENTINEL.