The Olden Time Series, Vol. 3: New-England Sunday | Page 2

Rev, C.H. 6 Stearns, Charles 21 Story, Franklin H. 43 Swan,
Mr. 10
TALMAGE, REV. DR. 6 Treadwell, John W. 43 Trumbull, Jonathan

15 Tucker, Gideon 46, 48
VOSE, MR. 34
W----, REV. MR. 41 Washington, George 1 Waters, Joseph G. 43
Waters, Stanley 10 West, Nathaniel, Jr. 43 White, Stephen 46 Whiting,
Samuel 32 Wright, Fanny 56

[Illustration]
NEW-ENGLAND SUNDAY.
SEEING in an old paper that General Washington was stopped by a
"tythingman" in Connecticut in 1789 for the "crime" of riding on
Sunday, we were naturally led to think about the "Sabbath question," as
it is sometimes called. We find the account referred to in the
"Columbian Centinel" for December, 1789.
THE PRESIDENT AND THE TYTHINGMAN.
The President, on his return to New-York from his late tour, through
Connecticut, having missed his way on Saturday, was obliged to ride a
few miles on Sunday morning, in order to gain the town, at which he
had previously proposed to have attended divine service.--Before he
arrived, however, he was met by a Tythingman, who commanding him
to stop, demanded the occasion of his riding; and it was not until the
President had informed him of every circumstance, and promised to go
no further than the town intended, that the Tythingman would permit
him to proceed on his journey.
* * * * *
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.
AS the devoting one day in seven to religious purposes is a bounden
duty we owe to God our creator, and a most reasonable law of our
Commonwealth--to see people riding on the Sunday in pursuit of their
worldly affairs, is so disgusting to the man of true principle, that the
neglect of our executive authority of so flagrant a crime, is to be
lamented. The common practice of a Mr. C----fl----n of H-pk----n is
notorious on this account. Would not wish to traduce the character of
any man, but would only query, whether such conduct is not highly
reprehensible, and deserving the cognizance of the magistrate.
SUFFOLK.
* * * * *
This is not at all strange from the point of view from which Sunday was
then regarded. Indeed many people feel about the same now. They

would have the old laws enforced in regard to riding and neglect of
public worship. They have fears that the day may degenerate into a
European Sunday, with prayers in the morning and amusements in the
afternoon and evening.
The changes in the past fifty years in reference to Sunday have indeed
been very great, but we think they arise chiefly from a reaction from
the too strict Puritanism of the past. While we would not have the day
too strictly kept, we yet have no sympathy with that class of minds who
think there should be no "day of rest" or no time set apart for religious
exercises or church services, but would have all days exactly alike.
* * * * *
According to the "Salem Mercury" of Aug. 12, 1788, the ministers of
Connecticut, in convention, publish an address on the "increasing
negligence of the Publick Worship of God," etc.
SALEM, AUGUST 12.
The Ministers of the State of Connecticut, convened in General
Association, have published a serious, sensible, plain Address to the
People of the Churches and Societies under their pastoral care, on the
subject of the increasing negligence of the Publick Worship of God;
which they consider as one of the most painful and alarming, among
the various instances of declension and immorality, which at the
present time threaten the very existence of religion in this