Maryland Constitution (1864):
<PREAMBLE: We, the People of the State of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty, and taking into our serious consideration the best means of establishing a good Constitution in this State for the sure foundation and more permanent security thereof, declare...
ARTICLE 24. That hereafter, in this State, there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except in punishment of crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted; and all persons held to service or labor as slaves, are hereby declared free...
ARTICLE 36. 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 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 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 any Ministry; nor shall any person be deemed incompetent as a witness or juror who believes in the existence of God, and that under his dispensation such person will be held morally accountable for his acts, and be rewarded or punished therefore, either in this world or the world to come.
ARTICLE 37. That no other test or qualification ought to be required on admission to any office of trust or profit, than such oath of allegiance and fidelity to this State and the United States, as may be prescribed by this Constitution, and such oath of office and qualification as may be prescribed by this Constitution, or by the laws of the State, and a declaration of belief in the Christian religion; or in the existence of God, and in a future state of rewards and punishments.
ARTICLE 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 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 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.
ARTICLE 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 effectual confirmation by the attestation of the Divine Being.> 1864MD001
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1864MD001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Maryland Constitution, 1864.