ANECDOTE.
A Gentleman in the State of Connecticut, regularly attended publick worſhip on the Lord's day with all his family: On the Sunday evening he always catechiſed his children and ſervants on the principles of religion, and what they heard the miniſter deliver from the pulpit. He had a negro man who never could remember a note of the ſermon, though otherwiſe ſmart. At laſt his maſter peremptorily told him he would on Monday morning tie him up and flog him. Next Sunday evening, when interrogated, he had forgotten all: On Monday morning his maſter executes his threat ſo far, as to tie him up. The fellow then cried out, O maſter ſpare me, for I remember ſomething the miniſter ſaid. What is it? ſaid the maſter. The fellow replied, "This much may ſuffice at this time." His maſter was ſo pleaſed with his wit that he forgave him.
Salem Mercury, August 12.
From the Rev. Dr. Bentley's notes, edited by Stanley Waters, printed in the "Salem Gazette," we learn that even in old times people occasionally absented themselves from public worship on the Lord's Day.
Under date of 1791 we read,—
Jan. 23. No singing through the whole day—not even an attempt. Mr. Le Favre Swan & Parker promised their assistance, but by drawing a prize of £300 in the Lottery they have been detained from Public Worship.
Mch. 11. Sunday. The Ship Grand Turk burdened 550 Tons sailed this day for India, Capt. B. Hodges.
The previous invitations given to the principal Gentlemen of the Town & the fame of a ship built in the Town & furnished with Sails from our own manufactories urged a curiosity so strong that few people were left in our houses of worship. Weather fine.