[Chapter 22.]

Passed May 15, 1714.

Be it Enacted by his Excellency the Governour Council and Representatives Convened in General Assembly and by the Authority of the Same that it shall and may be lawful for the freeholders of Every Respective Town within this province Convened in Publik Town meeting as often as they shall see occasion, to make choice of and by themselves, of any other person or persons by them appointed to Agree with a Minister or Ministers for the Supply of Such Town; And what Annual Sallary shall be allowed him or them; And the minister or Ministers soe made Choice of and Agreed with shall be accounted the Settled Minister or Ministers of Such Town, And the Select men for the time being shall make Rates and Assesments upon the Inhabitants of the Town for the payment of the Ministers Sallary as aforesaid in such manner and forme as they doe for defraying of other Town Charges, which Rates by warrant from a Justice of peace with the Select men or Mayor part of them directed to the Constable or Constables of the Town, shall be by him or them Collected and paid, according to the direction of the Select men for the end aforesaid, Provided allwayes that this Act doe not at all Interfere with Her Majesties Grace and ffavour in allowing Her Subjects liberty of Conscience, nor shall any person Under pretence of being of a Different perswasion be Excused from paying towards the Support of the Settled Minister or Ministers of Such Town aforesaid, but onley Such as are Conscientiously soe, and Constantly Attend the publick Worship of God on the Lords day according to their own perswasion and they only shall be Excused from paying towards the Support of the Ministrey of the Town;

And it is hereby further Enacted & Ordained, that for the Building & Repairing of Meeting Houses, Ministers Houses School Houses and Allowing a Sallary to School Master in each Town within this province, the Select men in the Respective Towns shall raise mony by an Equal Rate and Assesment upon the Inhabitants in the Same manner as in this present Act directed for the Maintenance of the Minister And Every Town within this province, shall from and after the publication hereof; Provide a School, Master for the Supply of the Town.

[Note: Same as law of 1693 except the penalty for negligent towns repealed.]

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