300 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION [1776.

Christian religion 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 profes-
sion, or for his religious practice, unless under 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 person to be compelled to
frequent or maintain, or contribute, unless on contract, to maintain
any place of worship, or ministry; but the churches, chapels, glebes,
and all other property now belonging to the church of England,
ought to remain to the church of England for ever. And all acts
of assembly lately passed for collecting monies for building or re-
pairing particular churches or chapels of ease, shall continue in
force and be executed, unless the legislature shall by act supercede
or repeal the same; but no county court shall assess any quantity
of tobacco or sum of money hereafter, on the application of any
vestryman or church wardens: and every incumbent of the church
of England who hath remained in his parish and performed his duty
shall be entitled to receive the provision and support established
by the act entiled, "An act for the support of the clergy of the
church of England in this province," till the next November court
to be held for the county in which his parish shall lie, or partly lie,
or for such time as he hath remained in his parish and performed
his duty.

"35. That every gift, sale, or devise of lands to any minister,
public teacher or preacher of the gospel, as such, or 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 succession, or to
take place after the death of the seller or donor, to or for such sup-
port, use or benefit; and also every devise of goods or chattels to,
or to or for the support, use, or benefit of, any minister, public
teacher, or preacher of the gospel, as such, or any religious sect,
order or denomination, without the leave of the legislature, shall be
void; except always any sale, gift, lease or devise of any quantity
of land not exceeding two acres, for a church, meeting, or other
house of worship, and for a burying ground, which shall be im-
proved, enjoyed, or used only for such purpose, or such sale, gift,
lease, or devise shall be void.

" 36. That no other test or qualification ought to be required on
admission to any office of trust or profit, than such oath of support
and fidelity to this state, and such oath of office as shall be direct-