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Art. 35. That as it is the duty of every man to 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 molest-
ed in his person or estate, on account of his religious persua-
sion 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 mo-
rality, 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 any ministry; nor shall any person be
deemed incompetent as a witness or juror, who believes in the
existence of a God, and that under his dispensation such per-
sons 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. 36. That no other test or qualification ought to be
required on admission to any office of trust or profit, than
such oath of office as may be prescribed by this Constitu-
tion, or by the laws of the State, and a declaration of
belief in the Christian religion; and if the party shall
profess to be a Jew, the declaration shall be of his belief in a
future state of rewards and punishments.
Art. 37. 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
chatties to go in succession, 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,
use or benefit of any minister, public teacher or preacher of
the gospel, as such; or any religious sect, order or denomina-
tion, without the leave of the Legislature, shall be void; ex-
cept always, any sale, gift, lease or devise of any quantity of
land not exceeding five acres, for a church, meeting house or
other house of worship, or parsonage, or fora burying ground,
which shall be improved, enjoyed or used only for such pur-
pose; or such sale, gift, lease or devise shall be void.
Art. 38. That the manner of administering an oath or af-
firmation to any person, ought to be such as those of the re-
ligious persuasion, profession or denomination, of which he is
a member, generally esteem the most effectual confirmation
by the attestation of the Divine Being.
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