The Olden Time Series, Vol. 3: New-England Sunday | Page 7

beards. This last Sunday it was observable that
each gentleman, in his turn, after being barbered, instead of hurrying
off as usual, resumed his seat. As the second bell began to ring, the last
customer was accomplished, and the whole company rose from their
chairs, filed out into Essex street, formed a line in front of Mr.
Blanchard's shop, and gave three rousing cheers; then, like Burns's
"Twa Dogs, each took off his several way," some to Dr. Barnard's
North Church, some to Dr. Hopkins's, Dr. Bolles's, or Dr. Prince's First
Church.
Salem Gazette, August, 1885.
* * * * *
The Middlesex Sabbath Association meet in November, 1815, but find
nothing to do. No Sabbath-breakers reported, probably.

SABBATH ASSOCIATION.
WHEREAS the Association in the county of Middlesex, for aiding in
carrying into effect the Laws of this Commonwealth against the
violation of the Sabbath, met at Concord in November last,--and
finding nothing which required further proceedings at that time,
thought fit to adjourn. This is to give notice, that the meeting of said
Association stands adjourned, to meet at Concord, at the former place
of meeting, in Hamilton's Hotel, on the first WEDNESDAY in
February next, at ten o'clock A.M.
A general attendance is requested.
CHARLES STEARNS, Per Order.
_Lincoln, January_ 11, 1816.
Columbian Centinel.
The following notice from the "Columbian Centinel" shows that rapid
driving on the Lord's Day was forbidden in Boston as lately as 1817:--
POLICE OFFICE.
_Boston, July_ 12, 1817.
COMPLAINTS having been made at this office of dangers and
disturbances arising from the rapidity with which carriages are driven
on the Lord's Day, special persons have been selected to take notice of
this indecorous conduct, that the law on the subject may be rigidly
enforced. It is forbidden to drive, during Divine Service, or while the
inhabitants are going to or returning from their several houses of public
worship, any carriage at a greater rate than a walk or moderate foot
pace; and masters and mistresses are responsible, if the servants are
unable to pay the penalty incurred by them in this offence.
NEH. FREEMAN, _Superintendent._
* * * * *

Making hay on Sunday is here condemned in some very choice lines.
--> There is much more PIETY than POETRY in the following
stanzas:--And though the employment condemned, cannot occur for a
season at least, the MORAL inculcated we trust, will have a tendency
to prevent other breaches of Holy Time.
_THE PIOUS FARMER._
SHOULD it rain all the week and the Sundays prove fine, Though
others make hay, yet I'll not work at mine; For, I don't think, for my
part, such sun-shine was given, Us mortals to lure from the path-way to
heaven.
Some to work on the Sabbath will make a pretence, That taxes are high,
and they can't pay their rents; But my rents and my taxes I'll still hope
to pay, Though on sun-shiny Sundays I do not make hay.
For this shall my heart never call me a sinner, While I still hope in God
I shall ne'er want my dinner; To lay up a store, I'd try every fair way,
But on Sundays, though sun shines, I will not make hay.
Some plead in excuse, that, not waiting for Monday, Great battles are
won, though they're fought on a Sunday! At famed Waterloo
too,--there's none greater than it, But then, 'tis well known, the lost
Tyrant began it.
'Tis a custom with me to spend godly that day; But while French go to
war, and the English make hay, Though the season proves wet, and hay
gets in but slowly, Yet I would not do other than keep the day holy.
Far, far be from me, to ape those saving Elves, Who rob God of his due,
to grow richer themselves; But be mine the pursuit, which all good men
approve, To strive to be rich in the Regions above.
If it rain all the Week, then on God I'll recline, And not work on
Sunday, although the sun shine: In this Faith deeply rooted, no ills I
forbode, That a man's seldom poorer for serving his God.

Columbian Centinel, Nov. 27, 1816.
* * * * *
From the "Essex Register," Salem, May 18, 1822, we learn that there
had been trouble caused by ill-bred young men congregating at the
public corners on Sunday evening, and also that some females had
behaved badly at that time.
One of those ill bred and riotous fellows, who have become notorious
for their bad conduct of late, at the corners of our streets, was arrested
by one of our most vigilant constables, at the corner of North and Essex
streets, on Sunday evening last, carried before a magistrate, committed
to prison, and bound over for his future good conduct. Our municipal