On our way to church in the quiet city of Salem recently, a
stranger overtook us, and inquired where the Rev. Mr. W---- was
to preach that morning? We answered that we were going to his
church, and would show him a seat. For which he expressed his
thanks and immediately remarked, that he had travelled recently
nearly over all our country, and nowhere had he witnessed such
entire abandonment of all secular avocations on the Sabbath. It
seemed like a different country, and made him feel the
significance of the name of that ancient town--Salem, City of
Peace.--_Christian (Boston) Monitor_.
Fifty years ago hardly any one thought of absenting himself or herself from
public worship. People went to church as a matter of course, partly from a
sense of duty, and partly from habit; and this is still the case to some
extent. The majority of thoughtful persons of all religious persuasions are
agreed upon one point, and that is, it is desirable to have Sunday set
apart as a day of rest and change from the ordinary cares and business of
life. From a sanitary point of view this rest is no doubt of the highest
importance. All people, moreover, who desire to have quiet for religious
worship should at least not be disturbed. Public opinion ought to be
protection enough; but unfortunately it might not be, so that laws to such
an extent as is necessary for this purpose should be in force. But the idea
entertained by certain fanatics, that no one should walk or ride for health
and recreation, or even engage in any innocent occupation, on Sunday, is so
absurd as not to deserve a moment's consideration.
* * * * *
In 1829 a futile attempt was made to put a stop to the delivery of Sunday
mails, one result of which was the holding of a number of public meetings
in Salem, the reports of which we take from the papers.
Meetings were also held in Boston and New York.