| Massachusetts Constitution (1780) - courtesy New York Public Library “It [is] the right as well as the duty of all men in society, publicly and at stated seasons, to worship the Supreme Being, the great Creator and Preserver fo the Universe. And no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained … for worshipping god in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience.” - Massachusetts Constitution (1780) “As morality and piety, rightly grounded on evangelical principles, will give the best and greatest security to government … the people of this state ... do hereby fully impower the legislature to ... make adequate provision at their own expence, for the support and maintenance of public protestant teachers of piety, religion and morality.” – New Hampshire Constitution (1784)New Hampshire State House - courtesy Wikimedia Commons |
EMPIRE OF LAWS - The Legal History of the 50 American States > 1. NEW ENGLAND LEGAL HISTORY > 1.1. The Colonial Era and Independence (1620-1787) >