STATUTES , COLONIAL AND REVOLUTIONARY , 1768 - 1773 . 139

Security Against Internal Dangers and Insurrections .

arms

elders or select men , of other places of public worship , shall be obliged , and they are hereby empowered to examine all such male persons , either in or about such places of public worship , at any time after the congregation is assembled , on Christmas and Easter days , and at least twelve other times in every year , and if , upon finding any person or persons liable to bear arms , and being then to places of public wor ship as aforesaid , without the arms and am munition by this act directed , and shall not , within fifteen days after such offence is com mitted , inform against such person or persons so offending , in order to recover the penalty as aforesaid , said church warden or church war dens , deacons , elders , or select men , shall , for every such neglect of duty , or giving informa tion as aforesaid , forfeit and pay the sum of five pounds , to be recovered and applied as in this act is before directed .

Persons re fusing to be examined to

shillings , to be recovered and applied as aforesaid .

3 . AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED , That any such person or persons thus liable to bring their arms , and being at any church or place of public worship , as aforesaid , that shall refuse to be ex - forfeit ten amined in or about such places of public wor ship , or neglect , on demand of the church warden or church wardens , deacons , elders , or select men respectively , to produce and shew his or their arms and ammunition by this act required to be brought by such person or persons , to the intent it may be known whether the same be

fit