Mch. 11. Sunday. The Ship Grand Turk burdened 550 Tons sailed
this day for India, Capt. B. Hodges.
The previous invitations given to the principal Gentlemen of the
Town & the fame of a ship built in the Town & furnished with
Sails from our own manufactories urged a curiosity so strong that
few people were left in our houses of worship. Weather fine.
Thus we see that pecuniary success and pleasant weather were as influential
in 1792 as they are in 1886 in diverting individuals from their ordinary
religious privileges.
* * * * *
The following extracts from the "Salem Impartial Register" of July 27,
1801, will perhaps have interest when considered in connection with some
circumstances which have taken place in Salem within a year or two:--
_THE CONNECTICUT SABBATH._
IN ancient days, 't was God's most sacred will,
To give his law on Sinai's lofty hill,
Whose top terrific issued clouds of smoke,
And thus, amidst the flames, th' Eternal spoke;
Six days, said he, (and loud the same express'd)
Shall men still labor, and on the seventh rest:
But here alas! like yon great pious town,[A]
They break his law, and thus prefer their own:
"And let it be enacted further still,
That all our people strict observe our will:
Five days and half shall men and women too
Attend their business, and their mirth pursue.
But after that, no man without a fine,
Shall walk the streets, or at a tavern dine.
One day and half 'tis requisite to rest,
From toilsome labor, and a tempting feast.
Henceforth let none, on peril of their lives,
Attempt a journey, or embrace their wives:
No Barber, foreign or domestic bred,
Shall e'er presume to dress a lady's head.
No shop shall spare (half the preceding day),
A yard of Ribband, or an ounce of Tea.
Five days and half th' inhabitants may ride
All round the town, and villages beside;
But, in their travels, should they miss the road,
'Tis our command they lodge that night abroad."
From hence 'tis plainly seen how chang'd indeed,
That sacred law which GOD himself decreed!
In this one act they think to merit heav'n,
By taking half a day from six to add to seven.
[A] _Boston--where a similar law was formerly enforced with rigour._
_"One Man esteemeth one day above another; another esteemeth
every day ALIKE. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own
mind."_ Romans xiv. 5.
* * * * *
The _old_ custom of opening Barbers' Shops in this Town on Sunday
ceased yesterday, in consequence of the determination of the
Grand Jury to make presentment of all such violations of the
Sabbath. Cautions have also been given to the Horse Letters,
against loaning any Horses or Carriages on Sunday; and there
appears to be a very serious and wise determination in the
"_Gentlemen_ of the Grand Jury" to put a stop to those shameful
practices, which have for twenty years disgraced the most sober
and quiet Town in Massachusetts! _Laus Deo!_ There will be no
more horses killed now of a Sunday in going to Boston, either by
_lack of bating_, or by _hard driving_! It is whispered, that the
public are indebted, for this salutary reform, to the covert
exertions of a _ci-devant_ PREACHER, who lacking the ability to
_lead_ his _wakeful_ flock formerly, is now determined to _drive_
all within his Circuit, into the pale of obedience, and thereby
make up for former Sins of Omission. The Federalists predicted
the loss of Religion, should Jefferson be President. We certainly
have a good _Sample_ (thus early under his administration) that
its state will be improved.
* * * * *
Although doubts have often been expressed as to the authenticity of certain
Connecticut "Blue Laws," it is probable that many laws which have
sometimes been referred to as such were in the early days of the colony
actually in force,--as the following, which we find in an old paper. They
are certainly not much stronger than laws of the time in Massachusetts.
No one shall be a freeman, or give a vote, unless he be
converted, and a member in full communion, of one of the Churches
allowed in this dominion.
No one shall travel, cook victuals, make beds, sweep house, cut
hair, or shave, on the Sabbath day.
No woman shall kiss her child on the Sabbath, or fasting-day.
No one shall run on the Sabbath day, or walk in his garden, or
elsewhere, except reverently to and from meeting.
No one shall read common prayer books, keep Christmas, or set
days, make minced pies, dance, play cards, or play on any
instrument of music, except the Drum, Trumpet, or Jewsharp.
No food or lodging shall be offered to a Quaker, Adamite, or
other heretic.
If any person turns Quaker, he shall be banished, and not
suffered to return but on pain of death.
No Roman Catholic priest shall abide in the dominion; he shall be
banished, and suffer death on his return.
Some years ago, a law-book which had belonged to Jonathan Trumbull,
containing the early statutes of Connecticut, was in the possession of a
Boston gentleman,[1] who informs us that at the end of the volume, in
manuscript, were found reports of "Brother Jonathan's" adjudications of
small cases which he tried as "justice of the peace." Among them was one
where "His Majesty's tythingman" entered a complaint against Jona and Susan
Smith for a "profanation of the Sabbath;" namely, "That on the ---- day of
---- during Divine Service on the Lord's Day _they did smile_." The
culprits were adjudged to be guilty of the offence, and severally fined
"five shillings and costs." This book was shown to the late Professor
Agassiz, who examined it with great interest and then made the following
remark: "I find here evidence of the difference between the Calvinism of
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."