Although most men, even if they have no regard for the Divine Being or the welfare of society, when they know that Sabbath-breaking is offensive to the great body of the community, will, from regard to themselves, refrain from it, yet there are some abandoned individuals, who are so lost to all proper regard even for themselves, as well as their Maker, and their fellow-men, that in violation of laws, human and Divine, and in direct opposition to the wishes of the community, they still continue to travel and labour upon the Sabbath.

     Such persons ought surely to be prosecuted, and made to feel
     that they cannot violate the laws of the Commonwealth, and
     profane the Sabbath with impunity.

     If their conduct is suffered to continue, others will be
     emboldened to follow their example; the evil will again increase,
     and eventually become as great as before.

But if they find that they cannot profane the Sabbath without being subjected to the trouble, shame and expense of a penal prosecution, this enormous evil, which has so long been undermining the best interests of the community, and drawing down upon us Divine judgments, will be prevented.  For past experience has fully demonstrated, that wherever the laws are prudently, and at the same time promptly and faithfully executed, the evil will cease.

And among the Resolves passed by the Convention we find these,—­

III.  Resolved, that we earnestly recommend to Tythingmen, Civil Officers and the friends of the Sabbath in every town, to prosecute, or cause to be prosecuted, without distinction and without delay, all, who are travelling without sufficient reason, or in any way wilfully violating the laws respecting the Lord’s Day.

V. Resolved, that we recommend to all the friends of order, to circulate as extensively as possible, such tracts and pamphlets as are calculated to promote the due observance of the Lord’s Day.

Voted, that the Clerk be requested to send a copy of the doings of the Convention, to the Editors of the public papers in Boston, Salem, Newburyport and Haverhill, and that they be requested to publish the same in their respective papers.

A full account of this convention can be found in the “Salem Gazette,” Oct. 31, 1815.  It does not appear that there was any disturbance of public worship to complain of, only many people neglected to attend the meetings, or walked or rode for pleasure on the Lord’s Day.

* * * * *

In the same month and year the “Worcester AEgis” gave expression to opinions on the question of “Sabbath-breaking” which we think accord more with modern ideas than do those of the Essex convention.  The views of the “AEgis” probably represented the average liberal sentiment of that day.

WORCESTER, OCT. 25.