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.