ST. MARY'S CITY

March 27, 1966

I am deeply pleased to be here this morning in this ancient seat of
worship to observe the founding nearly three and a half centuries ago
of our beloved Maryland. It is an inspiring experience always to visit
this hallowed spot where the first Marylanders landed in 1634 to estab-
lish what became known later as "the land of sanctuary" and in our
times as "the Free State. "

I should like to discuss with you during this morning prayer service
a topic which is meaningful to all Marylanders, and particularly to the
Marylanders who are privileged to live in this delightful area of our
State. The subject, "tolerance and religious freedom, " has appropriate-
ness in both time and place. No other spot in America can lay claim
more rightly to being the birthplace of religious tolerance and religious
freedom than can St. Mary's City. For it was here that Cecilius Cal-
vert, described by the eminent historian Bancroft as "among the most
wise and benevolent lawgivers of all ages, " planted the seed of re-
ligious liberty and freedom in the new world. It was here, in 1649, that
the General Assembly of Maryland passed what it called "an Act
Concerning Religion, " which became a landmark in the annals of re-
ligious freedom, not only in America but in the entire world.

If the place is appropriate, so is the time. For the week that has
just come to an end was celebrated in Maryland as an anniversary of
the founding of the colony—at this spot in 1634. And regarding fitness
of subject, your pastor has reminded me that the Scripture lesson pre-
scribed by your prayer book lectionary for this Sunday—Passion Sun-
day—is from 1: Peter, dealing with the persecution of Christians in
the early church.

One of the brightest episodes in the history of Maryland—was when
the Assembly of Freemen met here in St. Mary's City and enacted the
law which has come to be known as the "Maryland Act of Religious
Toleration. " The law has been appropriately called the first altar of
religious freedom built in the new world. Although, as we know, its
grant of freedom of conscience was limited in some of its aspects, and
although subsequently the freedom it extended was abolished, the legis-
lation nevertheless was a bold and noble gesture for liberty and tolera-
tion. The inspiring and courageous deed by the little band of freemen,
writing the laws under which the new colony would be governed, has

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