for the institutions of religion, and to reduce Connecticut to that
condition which knows no distinction between "him who serveth God and
him who serveth him not." They wish to see a Republic without religion;
and should they be gratified, the consequence would speedily be, a
miserable race of men without virtue, walling in vice and ripening for a
dreadful destruction. If infinite truth is to be credited, "God will
pour out his indignation on the heathen who know him not."

These reformers, under the specious pretext of exercising unbounded
liberality in matters of religion, become intolerant to all who differ
from them, charging the professors of christianity with breathing out a
spirit of persecution, they become the most furious persecutors, and
while they affect to possess great moderation and candor towards all
denominations of Christians, they clearly evince that they would grant
indulgence or protection to none. On the other hand a great majority of
the people and the Legislature, insist that every man in the community
who is able, should contribute, in some way, towards the support of the
institutions of religion. No wish is entertained to legislate in matters
of faith, or to establish one sect in preference to another. Our laws
permit every man to worship God when, where, and in the manner most
agreeable to his principles or to his inclination, and not the least
restraint is imposed; all ideas of dictating to the conscience are
discarded, and every man "sits under his own vine and fig tree." Our
laws only enforce the great principle abovementioned that the members of
the community should contribute towards the support of these
institutions, as means to promote the prosperity of the people in the
same manner as they provide for the public accommodation, peace and
happiness, by the maintenance of the roads and bridges, the organization
of the militia, and the support of schools of instruction. Should
objections be urged by any individuals that they cannot conscientiously