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worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable
to Him, all persons are equally entitled to protection in
their religious liberty; wherefore no person ought by any
law to be molested in his person or estate on account of
his religious, persuasion or profession, or for his religious
practice, unless under the color of religion any man shall
disturb the good order, peace or safety of the State, or
shall infringe the laws of morality, or injure others in
their natural, civil, or religious rights nor ought any per-
son to be compelled to frequent or maintain, or contribute,
unless on contract, to maintain any place of worship, or
any ministry; nor shall any person, otherwise competent,
be deemed incompetent as a witness or juror on account
of his religious belief, provided he believes in the exist-
ence of God, and that under His dispensation such person
will be held morally accountable for his acts, and be re-
warded or punished therefor, either in this world or the
world to come. "
Article 37 was read, as follows:
"Article 37. That no other test or qualification ought
to be required, on admission to any office of trust or profit,
than such oath of office and qualification as may be pre-
scribed by this constitution or by the laws of the State,
and a declaration of belief in the Christian religion, or in
the existence of God, and in a future state of rewards
and punishments. "
Mr. George advocated the striking out of the words
"declaration of belief in the Christian religion, " as being
due to a large and worthy class of our fellow-citizens.
The Israelites of Baltimore city composed a numerous
class; they were good citizens, intelligent and upright
men, and should not be excluded, on account of their re-
ligious belief, from a participation in the rewards of the
government, towards the support of which they contrib-
uted so largely.
Mr. Barnes said there were many men who would
swear away your life for a dollar, and yet who would de-
clare their belief in the Christian religion, and in a future
state of rewards and punishments, and there were many
who would declare no such belief, and yet were honorable
and conscientious men. It was behind the age for Mary-
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