The Olden Time Series, Vol. 3: New-England Sunday | Page 9

not appear that there was any disturbance of
public worship to complain of, only many people neglected to attend
the meetings, or walked or rode for pleasure on the Lord's Day.
* * * * *
In the same month and year the "Worcester Ægis" gave expression to
opinions on the question of "Sabbath-breaking" which we think accord

more with modern ideas than do those of the Essex convention. The
views of the "Ægis" probably represented the average liberal sentiment
of that day.
_WORCESTER, OCT. 25._
_BREACH OF THE SABBATH._
At the late session of the S.J. Court at Northampton it was decided that
a justice of the peace could not issue a warrant for a breach of the
Sunday laws against an offender that is not an inhabitant of the county
where the offence is committed, but that he must be prosecuted only
before a grand jury; and that justices of the peace could not issue
warrants, nor sheriffs serve them, on the Lord's day, for any breaches of
those laws. Damages were awarded against a justice, a tythingman, and
a sheriff, upon the latter principle.
Upon this decision we congratulate the public. It has taken a formidable
weapon from the hands of those petty tyrants, who are labouring to
revive the reign of religious persecution. We trust we shall no longer
see the Sabbath trespassed upon by these official harpies, who, instead
of spending the day as they ought, in worshiping God, confessing their
own manifold sins, and praying that they may be endued with a more
christian temper, are riding or walking the highway, "seeking whom
they may devour," and gratifying at once their malice and their avarice,
by plundering their fellow-citizens, and filling their own pockets. In
some towns they have been stationed at every turn of the road, ready to
dart out upon the traveller, like a spider from the corner of his web. We
rejoice at every occurrence which checks this persecuting spirit.--Those
who know us, know that we respect the Sabbath and its holy
institutions: for this very reason we reprobate conduct which has a
direct tendency to bring these institutions into contempt. In all ages, the
_anti-christian spirit_ of christian professors has done more injury to
the cause of religion, than the attacks of its declared enemies. Real
Christianity cannot flourish by persecution. Excessive rigour defeats
the very purposes it is intended to subserve. In time there will be a
re-action, and men will go to the opposite extreme--religion and morals
will be as much too lax, as they were before too strict.

In no part of the world is the sabbath so scrupulously observed as in
_New-England_. As we keep it, it resembles more the Jewish Sabbath,
than the Sabbath of all other parts of Christendom. We had much rather
see this nice punctiliousness, than that indifference which prevails in
some places. But we think there is such a thing as _drawing the cord
too tight_--so tight that it will be in danger of snapping in sunder! The
good habits of our countrymen, and the increasing regard which is
entertained for religion, will be a sure guaranty of the respectful
observance of the Sabbath. There are very few men in the community,
who dare to outrage public feeling by a wanton violation of the
solemnity of the day. We have excellent laws to punish those who
disturb the devotions of any society or individual. Let these laws be put
in execution without fear, favour or affection. But for the rest, let
religion take care of itself--it needs no assistance from the feeble arm of
the magistrate.
* * * * *
Tythingmen's Notice.
WE the subscribers, Tythingmen of the several towns annexed to our
names, having taken the Oath of Office, it becomes our indispensable
duty to see the laws of this Commonwealth, "for the due observation of
the Lord's Day," faithfully executed; which we are determined to do as
far as may be in our power. We, therefore, call on all persons to abstain
from the violation of said laws; as they would avoid "the several
penalties annexed to the several offences therein described," and save
us from the painful necessity of a prosecution, which otherwise must
immediately follow.
} Tithingman of Bedford in DAVID LANE, } behalf of himself and
five } others.
} Tithingman of Westford BENJ. OSGOOD, } in behalf of himself and }
four others.
} Tithingman of Carlisle in JOHN JACOBS, } behalf of himself and
one } other.

} Tithingman of Bilerica SAM'L WHITING, } in behalf of himself and }
nine others.
May 27th, 1815.

* * * * *
Lord's Day.
NOTICE is hereby given, that the Middlesex Convention for
suppressing violations of the Laws of the Commonwealth, relative to
the Sabbath, stands adjourned