A Sanctuary of Religious Freedom

New Zealand Tablet, 12 September 1912, Page 19

A Sanctuary of Religious Freedom

The State of Maryland, whose name is linked inseparably with the principle of religious liberty - in America, is in itself an enduring monument to the broad spirit and high character of Sir George Calvert, Lord of the Irish Barony of Baltimore. Lord Baltimore, as is well known, was a convert to the Catholic faith at a time when anti-Catholic persecution ‘ was particularly aggressive in Great Britain. ? He was a graduate of Oxford, which he represented in Parliament, and his well known abilities and exalted character attracted the friendship of James I. to such a degree that it stood the . test of Sir George’s conversion to Catholicity. At the time of his conversion, in 1624, he was Secretary of State, but tendered his resignation, James 1., although bigoted against the! Church, was so moved by Calvert’s manly avowal that while he accepted his resignation, he made him a member of the Privy Council for life. Lord Baltimore spent the remainder of his life in efforts to found a place in the New World which -Aould be a refuge for the victims of religious persecution. He spent a large fortune, in the attempt to establish a permanent colony in Newfoundland, but the dimate was too severe for successful agriculture. In 1628 he sailed for Virginia, only to find the announcement of his conversion had made him hated by the officials in charge of the British settlement there. Refusing to subscribe to their insulting test oaths, he sailed up Chesapeake Bay and explored a portion of the present State of Maryland. The beautiful and well-wooded country which surrounded the borders and inlets of the great bay determined him there to found a new State where conscience should be free, and every man might worship God according to his own heart, in peace and perfect security. To give the stamp of success to this noble enterprise, he returned to England, in order to obtain the royal consent. Charles had succeeded his father/, James, upon the throne. Lord Baltimore made application for the grant of territory; and with his own hand drew up a charter, famous for its liberality, which he likewise presented for the king’s approbation. Remembering Lord Baltimore’s services, and moved, perhaps by the intercession of his Catholic queen, Henrietta Maria, Charles directed the patent to be issued but owing to the tedious forms of public business, before the document could be executed and . receive the seals; the father and founder of Maryland had passed to his reward. He died piously in the religion of his choice, on April 12, 1632.