| Citation |
BEP(F.761.011
9 Feb 1761:21,22,23 (1328)
Boston, the following Act passed the Great and General Court
or Assembly of this Province in the last session, viz.
An Act For repealing the several laws now in force which
relate to the observation of the Lord's-Day; and for making
more effectual provision for the due observation thereof. .
.
And 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,. . .
And be it further enacted, That no sexton, grave-digger,
porter or bearer shall be assisting at the funeral of any
person on the Lord's-Day or any part thereof, and no person
shall toll any bell for such funeral, unless licence be
given by a justice of peace and when in any town or district
where no justice, of the peace dwells, such licence be
granted by one or more of the select-men of the town or
district, on penalty of twenty shillings, to be paid by each
and every person so offending; and no justice or select-men
shall grant any licence, except in cases of
[22] necessity only; and being in the town of Boston with
this express proviso, that such person so buried, be not
carried to the grave until one hour after sunset. . .
Be it further enacted, that no person shall keep open any
shop, warehouse or workhouse, or hawk or sell provisions or
wares in the streets or lanes of any town or district, or be
present at any concert of musick, dancing, or other publick
diversion, on the evening next preceeding the Lord's-Day, on
pain of forfeiting ten shillings for each offence; and no
retailer, innholder, or person licenced to keep a publick
house, shall entertain, or suffer to remain or be in their
houses or yards, or other places appurtenant, any person or
persons ( travellers, strangers or lodgers excepted )
drinking or spending their time on the said evening, on
penalty of ten shillings for each offence. . .
|