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deemed incompetent, as a witness, or juror, on account of
his religious belief; provided, he believes in the existence
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.
Art. 37. That no religious test ought ever to be re-
quired as a qualification for any office of profit or trust,
in this State, other than a declaration of belief in the ex-
istence of God; nor shall the legislature prescribe any
other oath of office than the oath prescribed by this Con-
stitution.
Art. 38. That every gift, sale or devise of land, to any
Minister, Public Teacher or Preacher of the Gospel, as
such, or to any Religious Sect, Order or Denomination, or
to, or for the support, use or benefit of, or in trust for any
Minister, Public Teacher or Preacher of the Gospel, as
such, or any Religious Sect, Order or Denomination and
every gift, or sale of goods, or chattels, to go in succes-
sion, or to take place after the death of the Seller or
Donor, to or for such support, use or benefit, and also
every devise of goods, or chattels to or for the support
or benefit of any Minister, Public Teacher or Preacher of
the Gospel, as such, or any Religious Sect, Order or De-
nomination, without the prior, or subsequent sanction of
the Legislature, shall be void; except always, any sale,
gift, lease, or devise of any quantity of land, not exceed-
ing five acres, for a church, meeting-house, or other
house of worship, or parsonage, or for a burying-ground,
which shall be improved, enjoyed, or used only for such
purpose; or such sale, gift, lease, or devise, shall be void.
Art. 39. That the manner of administering an oath,
or affirmation to any person ought to be such as those of
the religious persuasion, profession, or denomination, of
which he is a member, generally esteem the most effec-
tual confirmation by the attestation of the Divine Being.
Art. 40. That the liberty of the press ought to be in-
violably preserved; that every citizen of the State ought
to be allowed to speak, write and publish his sentiments
on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that
privilege.
Art. 41. That monopolies are odious, contrary to the
spirit of a free government and the principles of com-
merce, and ought not to be suffered.
542
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