Sunday Laws in the American Colonies

In the 1600s the American Colonies were being established. They, of course, had to have their own Sunday laws--established by British rule:

"Whosoever shal prophane the Lords day, or any part of it, either by sinful servile work, or by unlawful sport, Recreation, or otherwise, whether wilfully, or in a careless neglect, shal be duly punished by fine, imprisonment, or corporally according to the nature, and measure of the sinn, and offence. But if the Court upon examination, by clear, and satisfying evidence find That the sin was proudly, presumptuously, & with a high hand committed against the known command and authority of the blessed God, such a person therein despising and reproaching the Lord, shal be put to death, That all others may feare and shun such provoking Rebellious courses." (Charles J. Hoadly, RECORDS OF THE COLONY OR JURISDICTION OF NEW HAVEN, FROM MAY, 1653, TO THE UNION, TOGETHER WITH THE NEW HAVEN CODE OF 1656, Lockwood and Company, 1858, p. 605.)

Notice that this Sunday law goes far beyond the boundaries of a mere Sunday closing law. Not only does it demand the keeping of Sunday as a holy day, it also rests its authority upon the command of God (which does not exist regarding Sunday holiness). Thus, the Fourth Commandment is used to enjoin upon everyone a Sunday worship--with the death penalty as its final recourse of punishment. During this period of history, absence from church was punishable by death for the third offense. While there is no record of the death penalty actually being carried out, there are many records of the use of lesser penalties: fines, whipping, and the stocks.