Proceedings of the Middlesex Convention for suppressing Violations of the Lord's Day: the Laws of Massachusetts, and Report of the Legislature on the Sabbath: Directions to Tithingmen and others, how to proceed in executing the Laws: and an Address to the Public. Andover: Published by Order of the Convention | Printed by Flagg and Gould, 1814. First Edition. [12233]
Self wraps, 7 1/2 x 4 3/4 inches, 24 pages. Good. Pamphlet.
"A Convention, composed of members from ten different towns, was holden Sept. 5, 1814, at Burlington, County of Middlesex, Mass. for the purpose of devising and adopting measures for the due observance of the Lord's Day." - p. 3.
The Committee formed by the convention consisted of Dr. Rufus Wyman, Rev. Joseph Chickering, and Rev. Justin Edwards.
Among other resolutions is that of recommending that "all Tithingmen and other civil officers, to enter on a prudent, firm and persevering discharge of the duties of their office" to prevent travel and other breakings of the Lord's Day. They call for the immediate prosecution of those who travel on the Christian Sabbath, "to prosecute, without distinction, and without delay, all whom they may find travelling, or labouring on the Sabbath without sufficient reason, and particularly to take measures to pursue and bring to justice, such as may refuse to give account of themselves, when properly questioned." - p. 8.
It includes an Act approved and enacted by the legislature of the Commonwealth, to suppress the profanation of the Lord's Day, with suitable fines to be collected from the lawbreakers. It includes "That no person or persons whatsoever shall keep open his, her or their shop, ware-house, or work-house, nor shall, upon land or water, do any manner of labor, business, or work, (works of necessity and charity only excepted), nor be present at any concert of music, dancing, or any public diversion, show or entertainment, nor use any sport, game, play or recreation on the Lord's Day, or any part thereof, upon penalty of a sum not exceeding Twenty Shillings, nor less than Ten Shillings, for every offence. - p. 9-10.
The Act goes on the condemns traveling, drinking alcohol, idleness, and absence from public worship. The Legislature also required ministers to read from their pulpits the laws regarding the observance of the Lord's Day.
