THE SABBATH. CHAPTER I. HISTORY OF LAWS, DIVINE AND HUMAN, RELATING TO THE SABBATH. LAW OF GOD. THE first law on record relating to this institution, was written on tables of stone, by the finger of God, more than three thousand years ago. No document anterior to this, that we know of, was ever written and handed down to men. It is in these words, viz: "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it."—Ex. 20. This law now stands, ever has stood, and always must stand, unrepealed. It is over and above all law, binding on all men through all time; and its claims are imperative. See Wilson, Dwight, Humphrey, Professor Agnew, Gurney, and others who have written on this subject;-also evidences and opinions hereafter recorded in this book. LAWS OF THE STATES AND TERRITORIES. It has proved a difficult task to obtain copies of all the latest enactments of the several States and Territories of these United States relating to the Sabbath; but though we may have failed to obtain them all, yet enough has been found to show that correct legislative action has once been had. It is painful, however, to say, that in some instances, the people have been receding from the high and righteous stand which they had taken. Acts of a different character from those which follow, and of a more recent date, may have been passed in some portions of our country, but the latest which we have seen will now be subjoined. MAINE. In this State, traveling, ordinary labor, and business are prohibited on the Lord's day. Passed, 1834. NEW HAMPSHIRE. "Sec. 1st. Be it enacted by," &c. "That no tradesman, artificer, or any other person whatsoever, shall do or exercise any labor, business or work of their secular callings, (works of necessity and mercy only excepted,)** on the first day of the week, commonly called the Lord's day, or any part thereof. "Sec. 2d. And be it further enacted, That no person shall travel on the Lord's day between sun-rising and sun-setting, unless from necessity, or to attend public worship, visit the sick or do some office of charity, on penalty of," &c. Passed, 1799. June 22, 1814, the Legislature, commenting on the second section, say, "That no license from a Justice of the Peace, for traveling on Sunday, will avail in behalf of any traveler, or carrier, with any team or carriage of burthen, or of any traveler in the style and capacity of a drover, with any horses, cattle, or other beasts: but all such license shall be utterly void.” In most of the States, all games, pastimes, amusements, recreations, sports, fishing, hunting and visiting are forbidden. Also the frequenting of places of public resort, except for moral and religious instruction, is prohibited. VERMONT. "An act to enforce the due observance of the Sabbath. "Considering that in every community, some portion of time ought to be set apart for relaxation from worldly labors and employments, and devoted to the social worship of Almighty God, and the attainment of religious and moral instruction, which are, in the highest degree, promotive of the peace, happiness and prosperity of the people. Therefore, "Sec. 1st. It is hereby enacted by," &c. "That the first day of the week shall be kept and observed, by the good people of this State, as a Sabbath, holy day, or day of rest from secular labors and employments; nor shall any person or persons [on that day] exercise any secular labor, business, or employment, except such as necessity and acts of charity shall require." Passed, 1797. MASSACHUSETTS. "Sec. 1st. No person shall keep open his shop, warehouse, or workhouse, or shall do any manner of labor, business, or work, (except only works of necessity and charity,)" on the Lord's day. "Sec. 2d. No person shall travel on" that day, "except from necessity or charity." Passed, 1791-1796. 66 RHODE ISLAND. "Sec. 1st. Be it enacted by," &c. "That no person in this State shall do or exercise any labor, or business, or work of his ordinary calling," &c., on the first day of the week, or suffer the same to be done by his children, servants or apprentices (works of necessity and charity only excepted)." Passed, 1679, 1750, 1784, 1798. Sec. 2d forbids the employment of others to commit the aforesaid offences. CONNECTICUT. Sec. 2d provides, "That no person shall, upon land or water, do any manner of secular business, work, or labor, (works of necessity and mercy excepted,)" on the Lord's day. "Sec. 3d. No traveler, drover, wagoner, teamster, or any of |