" The clerk had a long rod, slit at the end, into which he inserted the note, and handed it up to the minister, who occupied a very high pulpit in the shape of a half globe, raised on the top of a demi-column and canopied with a sounding-board. The minister wore a black silk mantle, a cocked hat and a neck-baud, with linen cambric 'beft'y' on his breast, for cravats were then uncanonical." ^

The Sabbath, therefore, was generally respected; but that there were many unruly spirits who profaned it is evident from the ordinance of October 26, 1656, which forbade all the usual pursuits of trade and labor, -- " much less any idle or unallowed sports, such as drinking to excess, frequenting inns or tap-

' " Ohien Time in Sew York, by those who knew.'" Published anonymously in 1833.

houses, dancing, card-playing, tick-tacking, playing at ball, playing at bowls, playing at nine-pins, taking jaunts in boats, wagons or carriages, before, between or during divine service; and, particularly, no innkeeper nor tapster shall be allowed, before, between nor during divine service, to follow his customary business nor undertake to tap, hand out, give or sell any brandywines, beers or ardent spirits, directly or indirectly." Very heavy fines were provided for infringement of this enactment, and when the British came into possession, they legislated in the same direction.

The connection between the state and the church was very close in the New Netherlands, and the Council was intolerant toward dissenters. The ordinance of February 1, 1656, is an example. It absolutely prohibited " all public or private conventicles or assemblies as are without the wonted (and only allowed by God's word) Reformed and appointed assembly of the Reformed Religion, in conformity with the synod of Dort, here, in this land, in our Fatherland and in other Reformed Churches observed and followed, under the penalty of one hundred pounds Flemish, to be incurred by all those persons who in such public or private assemblies, without the wonted and authorized assembly, whether on the Sunday or