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, he 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 any ministry; nor shall any person,
otherwise competent, be deemed incompetent as a witness,
or juror, on account of his religious belief; provided, be
believes in the existence of God, and that under his dispen-
sation such person will be held morally accountable for his
acts, and be rewarded or punished therefor in this world or
the world to come.

ART. 37. That no religious test ought ever to be required
as a qualification for any office of profit or trust in this
State, other than a declaration of belief in the existence of
God; nor shall the Legislature prescribe any oath of office
than the oath prescribed by this Constitution.

ART. 38. That every gift, sale or devise of land to 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 the 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 Denomination, 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 exceeding 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 the 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 effectual con-
firmation by the attestation of the Divine being.

ART. 40. That the liberty of the press ought to be invio-
lably preserved; that every citizen of the State ought to