ACTS

Att a Sessions of Assembly Begun and held att the Port of
Annapolis in the Province of Maryland On the Sixteenth day
of March Anno Domini 1701/2

An Act for the Establishm^t of Religious Worsh^pp in this Prov-
ince According to the Church of England: and for the Main-
tainance of Ministers.

For as much as in well grounded Xpiom comon Wealths
Matter concerning Religion and the honour of God ought in
the ffirst place, to be taken into consideration. And honest
Endeavour to Attaine to such good end Countenanced and
Encouraged as being not only most Acceptable to God; but
the best way and Means to Obtaine his mercy and blessing
upon a People or Country. Be it therefore Enacted by the
Kings most Excellent Maty by and with the Advise and con-
sent of this present Generall Assembly; And by the Authority
of the same that the book of Common prayer and Administra-
con of the Sacraments with other Rites and Ceremonys of the
Church According to the use of the Church of England; The
Psalter or Psalmes of David. And Morning and Evening
Prayer therein Conteyned be Sollemnly read by all and Every
Minister or Reader in Every Church which now is or here
after shall be settled and Established within this Province, And
that all Congregations and Places for Publick Worshipp ac-
cording to the usage of the Church of England within this
Province for the Maintenance of whose Ministers, and the per-
sons Officiateing therein any certaine income or Revenue is or
shall by the Laws of this Province be Established and Enjoyned

Lib. L. L.
No. 2.
p. 401

to be raised or paid shall be deemed Settled and Establish-
ed Churches; And for the Encouragem^t of ffaithfull and
able Ministers Labouring in the Worke of the Gospell to some
and reside in this Province Bee it Enacted by the Authority
aforesaid that a Tax or Assesm^t of Forty pound of Tob^o p Poll
be Yearly and every Year Successively Levy^d upon every
Taxable Person w^thin each respective Parish w^thin this Prov-
ince. As they have beene; now are or here After shall be
laid out Limitted or Appointed; by Laws of this Province ;
And enterd upon Record As the said fformer Laws therein
did Direct. Which said Assessm^t of fforty pounds of Tob^o p
Poll shall alwayes be Paid and Allowed to the Minister of each

p. 402