| MASSACHUSETTS
CONSTITUTION Acknowledgment of God
Preamble. We, therefore, the people of Massachusetts,
acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the goodness of the great Legislator of the
universe, in affording us, in the course of His providence, an opportunity, deliberately
and peaceably, without fraud, violence or surprise, of entering into an original,
explicit, and solemn compact with each other; and of forming a new constitution
of civil government, for ourselves and posterity; and devoutly imploring His direction
in so interesting a design, do agree upon, ordain and establish the following
Declaration of Rights, and Frame of Government, as the Constitution of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts.
Religion Clauses Article
II. 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 of the universe. And no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained,
in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshiping God in the manner and season
most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; or for his religious profession
or sentiments; provided he doth not disturb the public peace, or obstruct others
in their religious worship.
Article VI, Amendment. Instead
of the oath of allegiance prescribed by the constitution, the following oath shall
be taken and subscribed by every person chosen or appointed to any office, civil
or military under the government of this commonwealth, before he shall enter on
the duties of his office, to wit: "I, A. B., do solemnly swear,
that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
and will support the constitution thereof. So help me God." Provided, That
when any person shall be of the denomination called Quakers, and shall decline
taking said oath, he shall make his affirmation in the foregoing form, omitting
the word "swear" and inserting instead thereof the word "affirm;" and omitting
the words "So help me God," and subjoining, instead thereof, the words "This I
do under the pains and penalties of perjury."
Article
XI, Amendment. Instead of the third article of the bill of
rights, the following modification and amendment thereof is substituted.
"As the public worship of God and instructions in piety, religion and morality,
promote the happiness and prosperity of a people and the security of a republican
government; -- therefore, the several religious societies of this commonwealth,
whether corporate or unincorporate, at any meeting legally warned and holden for
that purpose, shall ever have the right to elect their pastors or religious teachers,
to contract with them for their support, to raise money for erecting and repairing
houses for public worship, for the maintenance of religious instruction, and for
the payment of necessary expenses: and all persons belonging to any religious
society shall be taken and held to be members, until they shall file with the
clerk of such society, a written notice, declaring the dissolution of their membership,
and thenceforth shall not be liable for any grant or contract which may be thereafter
made, or entered into by such society: -- and all religious sects and denominations,
demeaning themselves peaceably, and as good citizens of the commonwealth, shall
be equally under the protection of the law; and no subordination of any one sect
or denomination to another shall ever be established by law."
Education
Chapter V, section 1. Whereas our wise and pious
ancestors, so early as the year one thousand six hundred and thirty-six, laid
the foundation of Harvard College, in which university many persons of great eminence
have, by the blessing of God, been initiated in those arts and sciences, which
qualified them for public employments, both in church and state: and whereas the
encouragement of arts and sciences, and all good literature, tends to the honor
of God, the advantage of the Christian religion, and the great benefit of this
and the other United States of America -- it is declared, that the President and
Fellows of Harvard College, in their corporate capacity, and their successors
in that capacity, their officers and servants, shall have, hold, use, exercise
and enjoy, all the powers, authorities, rights, liberties, privileges, immunities
and franchises, which they now have or are entitled to have, hold, use, exercise
and enjoy: and the same are hereby ratified and confirmed unto them, the said
president and fellows of Harvard College, and to their successors, and to their
officers and servants, respectively, forever.
Finance/Property
Tax None.
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Copyright
© 2002-2010 by Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons LLP. All rights reserved.
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