The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-01-22
Rhode-IsIand Republican,


dad, aud in most cases are not allowed TO sell
ifthey would, separates, forever, sho use of
a part Of that country whose laws permit it,
from the rest, oxempts The saT from the
commmon burlhens of tho whole, and locks
il up from the future disposition Of succeed
ing generations. IL town should spread
its future streets, houses, and Improvement
upon such a tract, The whole population must
become tenants TO this Sovereign Liege
Lord, who will not only demand the rent,
but with the power over their premises will
contrive TO make them subserve the ecclesi
astical views Of The gigantic corporation. II
gives that sect of christians, aho hold the
wealth, an advantage over all the rest, aliho'
ofsequal merit nor are the laws content to
allow them the benefits usually attending
wealth, but in most cases, exempt them from
taxation the effect Of which is to make the
poorer churches, not only carry their own
bnrthens, but by being taxed more for the
support of government, than they would be
if the property owned by wealthy corpora
tons were not exempted from contrbutin. /.
to the common charge! Enough has been
said for the present in favour of the sesond
section-but if any reasons should be offer
ed why, it should not become law, we re
serve to ourselves the right to continue our
remarks hereafter and we viii cheerfully
admi, into our columns nny fair. reasoning
upon this subject. '...
Section 3,--Thst such corporations shall
take no gift, OF grant f,om any person, un-
less by deed duly made and executed in due
form of law, one year at least before the
death Of the donor all others are declsIe d
void.
This restriction appears TO us just and ex
pedient, il prevents much ofthe evils alrea.
dy noticed above. Under this law, if a man
wishes 10 endow Church, he must do it out
of bis own property, and dispossess hi,rself
of it during his own life ! he must give some.
thing that would be useful to him if he did
not give it away. lie would make the gif,
with prospect Of living more than one year
after having made 1.-THE would, in most ca
ses, make it in the full possession of health
both of body and mind. We make these re
marks, presumjng the law requires not only
the conveyance to be made, but possession
given under it, a, least one year before the
death Of the donor.
Section 4,--That oil pastors shall be cho.
sen by the legal votes of such corporation
only.
This fourth section we believe to be con-
! trary to the sound maxims Of Rhode Island
Leg which has ever refused to in
terfere. in. any thing like Church govern
ment.- r f4.
Section 5,--Tha. no Church, as such
shall take, or hold any estate whatever.
This section we do not at present, fee
qualified to give any opiuion.
Section 6,--Thut no religious corporation
shall h,ld any greater amount Of property
! than $780, 900 value of personal, and $4,000
Of real estate, exclusive Of their house o
worship and .he lot on which it stands.
This section meets with our entire appro-
baton, $4,000 invested for inc ncome is a sun
altogether sufficient to support any such es-
tablishmen nj if conducted with christian Lu-
mility. And if it were less, so much the
better.
Every member of religious congre cation
will find it to his interest to contribute to.
wards its support, and each and every mem
Der can do SO in the enjoyment of their per-
feet liberty and right, Judging such course
is their duty, as experience has abundantly
proved that without money the church would
fall into dsrepute for that which costs .
man nothing j, generally estimated at abou
the same price.