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From the Rev. Dr. Bentley’s notes, edited by Stanley Waters, printed in the “Salem Gazette,” we learn that even in old times people occasionally absented themselves from public worship on the Lord’s Day.

Under date of 1791 we read,—­

Jan. 23.  No singing through the whole day—­not even an attempt.  Mr. Le Favre Swan & Parker promised their assistance, but by drawing a prize of L300 in the Lottery they have been detained from Public Worship.

And in 1792,—­

     Mch. 11.  Sunday.  The Ship Grand Turk burdened 550 Tons sailed
     this day for India, Capt.  B. Hodges.

The previous invitations given to the principal Gentlemen of the Town & the fame of a ship built in the Town & furnished with Sails from our own manufactories urged a curiosity so strong that few people were left in our houses of worship.  Weather fine.

Thus we see that pecuniary success and pleasant weather were as influential in 1792 as they are in 1886 in diverting individuals from their ordinary religious privileges.

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The following extracts from the “Salem Impartial Register” of July 27, 1801, will perhaps have interest when considered in connection with some circumstances which have taken place in Salem within a year or two:—­

THE CONNECTICUT SABBATH.

IN ancient days, ’t was God’s most sacred will,
To give his law on Sinai’s lofty hill,
Whose top terrific issued clouds of smoke,
And thus, amidst the flames, th’ Eternal spoke;
Six days, said he, (and loud the same express’d)
Shall men still labor, and on the seventh rest: 
But here alas! like yon great pious town,[A]
They break his law, and thus prefer their own: 
“And let it be enacted further still,
That all our people strict observe our will: 
Five days and half shall men and women too
Attend their business, and their mirth pursue. 
But after that, no man without a fine,
Shall walk the streets, or at a tavern dine. 
One day and half ’tis requisite to rest,
From toilsome labor, and a tempting feast. 
Henceforth let none, on peril of their lives,
Attempt a journey, or embrace their wives: 
No Barber, foreign or domestic bred,
Shall e’er presume to dress a lady’s head. 
No shop shall spare (half the preceding day),
A yard of Ribband, or an ounce of Tea. 
Five days and half th’ inhabitants may ride
All round the town, and villages beside;
But, in their travels, should they miss the road,
’Tis our command they lodge that night abroad.” 
From hence ’tis plainly seen how chang’d indeed,
That sacred law which GOD himself decreed! 
In this one act they think to merit heav’n,
By taking half a day from six to add to seven.

     [A] Boston—­where a similar law was formerly enforced with rigour.