Yale Laws in 1745

Yale Laws of 1745
(Quoted Verbatim)

• “All Scholars Shall Live Religious, Godly and Blameless Lives according to the Rules of God[’]s Word, diligently Reading the holy Scriptures the Fountain of Light and Truth; and constant[t]ly attend upon all the Duties of Religion both in Publick and Secret.”

• “That the President, or in his absence One of the Tutors Shall constantly Pray in the College-Hall every morning and Evening: and Shall read a Chapter or Suitable Portion of the Holy Scriptures, unless there be Some other Theological Discourse or Religious Exercise: and Every Member of the College whether Graduates or Undergraduates, whether Residing in the College or in the Town of New-Haven Shall Seasonably Attend upon Penalty that every Undergraduate who Shall be absent (without Sufficient Excuse) Shall be Fined one Penny and for comeing Tardy after the Introductory Collect is made Shall be fin’d one half penny.”

• “That if any Student Shall Prophane the Sabbath by unnecessary Business, Diversion, Walking abroad, or making any Indecent Noise or Disorder on the Said Day, or on the Evening before or after, or Shall be Guilty of any Rude, Profane, or indecent Behaviour in the Time of Public Worship, or at Prayer at any Time in the College Hall, He Shall be punished, Admonished, or otherwise according to the nature and Demerit of his Crime…”

• “If any Scholar Shall be Guilty of Blasphemy, Fornication, Robbery, Forgery, or any other such Great and Atrocious Crime he Shall be Expelled forthwith.”

• “If any Scholar Shall deny the Holy Scriptures or any part of Them to be the Word of God: or be guilty of Heresy or any Error directly Tending to Subvert the Fundamentals of Christianity, and continuing Obstinate Therein after the first and Second Admonition, He shall be Expelled.”