ANATHEM v MARANTHA.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1165, 13 December 1879, Page 2

ANATHEM v MARANTHA.

TO TIIE EDITOB. Sib, — There was one of the most barefaced desecrations of the Sabbath that was ever heard of m the Waikatq here on Sabbath last m, tho tqwnship, ' and within 100 yards of two churches. When the bell was ringing for the children tq go fo schoqi two men were busy making hay. Mr Editor, I will leave you to judge the (feelings qf many Christiana on I witnessing^ this desecration. If the two men or their friends have no love for our moral law, it is tie duty of the State to make them fear our criminal law. There are many ancient laws mado by kings m ■ England prohibiting all kinds of service or traffic on tho Lord's Day, upon very severe penalties, as that made by King Ina about the year 688 ; that mado by King Alfred m the year 876 ; that made by ndward, his son, about the year 912 j that made by King Edgar, abqiif the year 066. But I shall pass from those more anciont laivs and canons to give a brief account of some Acts of Parliament now m force for observing the Lord's Day, and which all magistrates of boroughs, justices of the peace, and other judges should and might execute, presently, \^

they wore disposed to do it. Vigesimo, no. In 2nd Corinthians, chap, vu., it is enacted that all the laws enacted and m force concerning the Lord's Day, and referring to the church thereon be carefully put inco execution ; and that all and every person and persons whatever shall on every Lord's Day apply themselves to the observation of the same, by exercising themselves thereon m the duties of piety and true religion, publicly and privately. It is also further enacted that no drover, horse courser, waggoner, butcher, they or any of their servants shall travel or come into his or their inn or lodging upon tho Lord's Day, or any part thereof, upon pain that «ach and every such offender shall forfeit twenty shillings for ' every such offence ; and if any other porsun travels on the Lord's Day, and should then be robbed, the Hundred is not to te answerable for it, and whatever the person loses he is debarred from bringing any action for such robberies. No person is allowed to serve or execute, or cause to be served or executed any writ, process, warrant, order, judgment, or decree, except m cases of treason, felony, or breach of the peace, and that no person or persons whatever shall publicly cry, show forth, or expose for sale any wares, merchandise, fruit, herbs, goods, or chattels whatsoever upon the LordVDay, or any part thereof, upon pain that every • person so offending shall forfeit the same goods so cried, or showed forth, or exposed for sale. — I am, &c, New Chum. Cambridge, 6th Dec, 1879. i