Maryland Supreme Court, Runkel case (1799) in the case of Runkel v. Winemiller, Chief Justice Samuel Chase rendered the opinion:
<Religion is of general and public concern, and on its support depend, in great measure, the peace and good order of government, the safety and happiness of the people. By our form of government, the Christian religion is the established religion; and all sects and denominations of Christians are placed upon the same equal footing, and are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty.> 1799MD002
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1799MD002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Maryland Supreme Court, 1799, Runkel v. Winemiller, 4 Harris & McHenry 276, 288 (Sup. Ct. Md. 1799). Runkel v. Winemiller, 4 Harris & McHenry (MD) 429 1 AD 411, 417, (Justice Chase). "Our Christian Heritage," Letter from Plymouth Rock (Marlborough, NH: The Plymouth Rock Foundation), p. 4.