I thought the issue revolved around “servile,” not “manual.” Surely “manual work” in the form of recreational pursuits such as gardening, crafts, and similar hobbies would clearly not be sinful.
Servile is that work which requires the use of the body rather than that of the mind.
Manual is work with the hands.
Do you see any difference? I myself don’t.
I can only say what we were told long ago since I don’t see anything on it currently.
Sports, crafts, hobbies and other light activities of interest were ok.
Gardening would depend on how light and how long since it was considered more manual.
And of course there is gardening and then there is gardening if you know what I mean.
Washing cars was frowned upon. That is something for the other 6 days.
Also nobody, but nobody mowed lawns.
People at first didn’t do much shopping on Sundays because there wern’t many stores open at first. But then time moved on, more and more stores were open and then the
sermons on “not shopping” began. But as you know the score was, stores 100,
sermons 0. But I believe this still should not be done if possible.
I always had the feeling that if the work caused sweating, then it was time to stop.
Of course this didn’t count if someone had a job requiring them to work.
If you have some specific questions I may be able to remember.