7 Archives of Marland 51-2

7 Archives of Marland 51-2

Abstract

"Forasmuch as there is nothing more acceptable to almighty God then the true and Sincere Service & worship of him according to his holy will & fforasmuch as the Sanctifying or keepeing Holy of the Lords day comonly called Sunday is and hath been esteemed by the present & all primitive Christian Churches & people a principall and cheife part of the said Worship, which day in most places in this Province hath been & still is profaned and neglected by a wicked and disorderly sort of people by working Drunkeness swearing gameing vnlawfull pastimes and other Debaucheries to the high dishonnor of almighty God the Scandall of Christian Religion... That noe person or persons from & after the time aforesaid shall profane or abuse the said Lords day as aforesaid by Drunkeness Swearing gameing at Cards Dice Billiards Shuffell boards bowles Nynepins horserace fowling or hunting or any other vnlawfull Sportes or recreations "

Summary

This Sunday observance law prohibits work, fishing, hunting, fowling, and other recreational activities, to include game shooting, on the Sabbath, except for works of necessity and mercy.

Law Text

Forasmuch as there is nothing more acceptable to almighty God then the true and Sincere Service & worship of him according to his holy will & fforasmuch as the Sanctifying or keepeing Holy of the Lords day comonly called Sunday is and hath been esteemed by the present & all primitive Christian Churches & people a principall and cheife part of the said Worship, which day in most places in this Province hath been & still is profaned and neglected by a wicked and disorderly sort of people by working Drunkeness swearing gameing vnlawfull pastimes and other Debaucheries to the high dis- honnor of almighty God the Scandall of Christian Religion & the apparent detriment & Ruine of many of the Inhabitants of this Province for Remedy whereof for the future Bee it Enacted by the Right Honble the Lord Propry by and with the Consent of the upper and lower houses of this present Generall Assembly & the Authority of the same that from and after twenty dayes next after the end of this session of Assembly noe person or persons within this Province shall worke or doe any bodily labour or occupacon vppon any Lords day comonly Called Sunday nor shall Cofnand or willfully Suffer or permitt of his or their Children hired servants servants or slaues to worke or labour as aforesaid (the absolute workes of necessity and mercy alwayes Excepted) And for that through the wicked and profane licenciousness of severall persons inhabiting or travelling into this Province itt hath been Customary for such sort of persons to Spend the said day in the bodily Exercise or occupacon of fishing Bee itt likewise Enacted by the Authority aforesaid that noe person or persons whatsoever Inhabitant or Forraigner shall from & after the time aforesaid vppon any Lords day as aforesaid presume to take fish in any Bay Port or Creeke of or belonging to this Province with any Netts Tramells saines Hookes or Lines or any other instruments of fishing nor shall Cofnand willfully Suffer or permitt any of his or their Children hired servants servants or Slaves soe to fish as aforesaid And bee itt likewise Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That noe person or persons from & after the time aforesaid shall profane or abuse the said Lords day as aforesaid by Drunkeness Swearing gameing at Cards Dice Billiards Shuffell boards bowles Nynepins horserace fowling or hunting or any other vnlawfull Sportes or recreations.