MARYLAND,
STATE OF

(April 28, 1788), was the 7th State admitted to the Union. The Constitution of the State of Maryland, adopted 1776, stated:

Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty.1932

Article XXXV. That no other test or qualification ought to be required, on admission to any office of trust or profit, than such oath of support and fidelity to this State and such oath of office, as shall be directed by this Convention, or the Legislature of this State, and a declaration of a belief in the Christian religion.1933

Article XXXVI. That the manner of administering an oath to any person, ought to be such, as those of the religious persuasion, profession, or denomination, of which such person is one, generally esteem to most effectual confirmation, by the attestation of the Divine Being.1934

Article XIX; XXXIII. That, as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such a manner as he thinks most acceptable to him; all persons, professing the Christian religion, 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 of profession, or for his religious practice; unless under colour of religion, any man shall disturb the good order, peace or safety of the State or shall infringe the laws of morality …

yet the Legislature may, in their discretion, lay a general and equal tax, for the support of the Christian religion; leaving to each individual the power of appointing the payment over the money, collected from him, to the support of any particular place of worship or minister, or for the benefit of the poor or his own denomination, of the poor in general if any particular bounty;

but the churches, chapels, glebes, and all other property now belonging to the Church of England, ought to remain the Church of England forever.(until 1851)1935

The Constitution of the State of Maryland, adopted 1851, declared that no other test or qualification for admission to any office of trust or profit shall be required than the official oath and:

A declaration of belief in the Christian religion; and if the party shall profess to be a Jew the declaration shall be of his belief in a future state of rewards and punishments.1936

The Constitution of the State of Maryland, adopted 1864, required all State officers to make:

A declaration of belief in the Christian religion, or of the existence of God, and in a future state of rewards and punishments.1937

The Constitution of the State of Maryland, adopted 1867, stated:

Preamble. We, the people of the State of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty.1938

Article XXXVI. 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.1939

Article XXXVI. 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.1940