The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-03-22

SECT. 8. BE further enacted, That any per
son may become member Of any parish re-
gious society now existing ar hereafter TO be ere
atrd by being accepted BY the society ofwhich he
WISHES 10 become member at a legal meeting OF
TIE aud giving notice thereof in writing TO
the clerk Of the society which he j. about to leave ;
which notice and tie time Of receiving The same,
II shall Le the duty u such Clerk 10 record. But
every person ceasIug to be me mber Of any parish
or religious society shall be liable 10 be taxed for
all monies raised by such parish society before
his ceasing 20 be member thereof: Provided, That
40 person shall be compelled 20 Join or be Chased
with any parish religious society without lis Or
her consent and when any person shall choose 10
withdraw from any parish or religious society and
shall leave written notice there OF with the clerk
Of such society he or she shall be no longer liable
TO pay any part Of any future expenses which
may 5e incurred ID such society
SECT. .. BE II further enacted, That The re-
cords % every parish or religious society shall be
free 10 tie inspection Of every member thereof and
The clerk Of any other parish reg society.
And II shall be Tie duty of each Clerk TO make and
attest copies Of record upon request and reasonable
compensation therefor.
SECT. 10. BE Il further enacted, That the minis
ter Or ministers Of every parish or religious society
Of every denomination are, and shall be deemed
capable Of taking in succession any estate granted
20 the minister and his successors for The OF
the ministry, or OF the poor OF the church, and OF
prosecuting and defending all actions, petitions
and processes touching the same, and no alienation
hy any minister, Of any estate granted 10 the min
ister aud his FOR The Of the ministry
shall be valid any longer than during such aienors
continuing minister. And the deacons, elders,
trustees stewards, or other presiding officers oi
church religious society having BY lis usages no
settled minister, shall be deemed capable Of taxing
IN succession any estate granted 10 them TO the use
Of such church or Of The poor thereof; and prose-
cutbg and defending all actions, petitions and pro-
cessts touching the But no alienation OF such
estate by such deacons, trustees stewards eders, or
presiding officers shall be valid any longer than
during the aIenors continuing IN Office Prouidtd
h0Ctrer, that such deacons, elders trustees, stew
ards, presiding officers, may with the assent Of
the church society ALLEVIATE IN fee any estate &C
quired by them or by such church society by
purchase; and minister, deacons, elders, trus-
tees, stewards or other presiding officers shall be
deemed capable of taking any estate granted as
aforesaid, so long as the clear annual income OF
any prior grants TO such minister, deacons, elders,
trustees, stewards, presiding officers or their pre-
oecessors, or to the church, shall be aad remain
equal 70 the sum Cf three thousand dollars.
SECT. ii. Be Il further enacted, That all laws
in force in this State inconsistent with the pro-
visions OF this act, be and they hereby repealed
March Is, ls2l-APproved
WILLIAM KING.