The Olden Time Series, Vol. 3: New-England Sunday | Page 5

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."
Travelling was also prohibited, and it was enacted,--
"That if any Person or Persons shall be recreating, disporting or
unnecessarily walking or loitering, or if any Persons shall unnecessarily
assemble themselves in any of the Streets, Lanes, Wharves, High-Ways,
Commons, Fields, Pastures or Orchards of any Town or Place within
this Province upon the Lord's Day, or any Part thereof, every Person so
offending shall forfeit and pay the sum of five shillings and upon a
second Conviction bound for good behaviour,... If any Persons being

able of Body and not otherwise necessarily prevented shall for the
space of one Month together absent themselves from the Publick
Worship