| Citation |
BG.761.019
9 Feb 1761:11-21 (306)
Boston, the following act passed the Great and General Court
or assembly of the 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.
Whereas by reason of different constructions of the
several laws now in force, relating to the observation of
the Lord's-Day or Christian Sabbath, the said laws have not
been duly executed; and notwithstanding the pious intention
of the legislators, the Lord's-Day hath been greatly and
frequently prophaned: Therefore,. . .
[12, 1st full para.:]
And be it further enacted, that no sexton, gravedigger,
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,. . . 6 lines]
And whereas many person are of the opinion that the
Sabbath or time of religious rest begins on Saturday
evening; therefore to prevent all unnecessary disturbance of
persons of such opinion, as well as to encourage in all
others a due and seasonable preparation for the religious
duties of the Lord's-Day;
Be it further enacted, that no person shall keep open any
shop, warehouse or workhouse, or hawk or sell any 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. . .
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