138 COLONIAL RECORDS

Security Against Internal Dangers and Insurrections .

All male white inhab

carry arms

worship un der penalty of ten shil lings .

1 . BE IT ENACTED , That immediately from Itants to and after the passing of this act , every male to places of white inhabitant of this province , ( the inhabi

tants of the sea port towns only excepted who shall not be obliged to carry any other than side arms ) who is or shall be liable to bear arms in the militia , either at common musters or times of alarm , and resorting , on any Sunday or other times , to any church , or other place of divine worship within the parish where such person shall reside , shall carry with him a gun , or a pair of pistols , in good order and fit for ser vice , with at least six charges of gun - powder and ball , and shall take the said gun or pistols with him to the pew or seat , where such person shall sit , remain , or be , within or about the said church or place of worship , under the penalty of ten shillings for every neglect of the same , to be

recovered by warrant of distress and sale of the How to be offender ' s goods , under the hand and seal of any and applied . justice of the peace for the parish where such

offence is committed , one half to be paid into the hands of the church wardens , or where there is no church wardens , to any justice for the use of the poor of the said parish , and the other half to him or them that shall give information thereof .

2 . And for the better and more effectual carrying a

carrying this act into execution , BE IT FURTHER de a examinec . ENACTED , That the church warden or church war ble to carry dens of each respective parish , and the deacons ,

Church wardens ,

persons lia

arms ,

elders