Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1844-11-11

7
rerienced body OF Lawmakers ever did. No We re-
specially ask them 10 do what almost all other State
Legislatures have donn aud tina, too which, after long
experience, Is found 10 be saio for ALL
very hriei view OF what uher States have done 10
enable religious bodies to receive and hold property. will
II Is presumed, conyiaco al that what we ask is neither
new nor without precedent,
Tho Legislature oil Maryland PASSED law for oua
ping religious bodies To receive and hold property, and
enAed Ia II preamble. Which, while 1t expresses the
dlenied sentiments of tina, body, admits most clearly
the Jnshce OF the petition which we make ~ the Nr
glna Legislature The following is an extract Iron the
/ preamble:
~ herens II IL reasonable and proper that nll dennm
nations OF Christians within this STATE whose meabers
conduct themselves IN peaeoabn and orderly manner.
shuhid receive aud emmy equal rights aud privileges,
without parlay preference Distinction, Ia all things
pertaining Ia ienponesi aud whereas also. IA neces
saIy TO Their welfare thai ,hcy should BIO empowered 10
receive aud acquire property IN a corporate ooaarga
'nna capacity and enter inm various asnnents Of CIV
ilor temporal nature which only DO by tho assis
lance OF the General Assembly, which assistance may
nevertheless be rehltully ganei without disturbing prs
Na'e opinion, or affecting tue rights o Judgment IN mat
iefs oi folgon or imposing involuntary bufhen On
any person whatsoever: and wlcras tt Is nuS convent
enl 10 make provisions III helr respective situations by
general law, which shall reach their several oNgcn
cIte and affairs OF temporal civil nature. Tar
difference ol circumstances viii admit. The cenem
Assembly having hoeiure taken the presises ino sef
Gus consideration aud coneeeing themselves indlspon
slhly bound 10 secure and preserve tho eqaany ut
rights privileges and advantages 10 all quiet aud inuilen
sivc Christian Societies in this STATE without exception.
Whereby religion may be dlnsod and peace and order
and universal tranquility prevail have agreed 10 enact"
Then follows the law
The Legislature OF Maine. in 1921, passed law to
enable parishes aud religious SJclolns
selves - as h hold property.
In 1880. The Legislature al Ohio passed law Ia
Die trustees 10 hold property beqneuhed churches
This gave general satisfaction
In Tho constitution of the State of Ohio there il tho
following article every association Of porsons when
regularly formed within this State. and having given
themselves name, may IN application To tho legsla
lure BIO entitled 10 receive letters Of ncorpoatlon
able them To hold estates. real PERSONAL Tor the sup.
port Of their churches. academies, colleges, universities
aud other PURPOSES"
Ia Connecticut all religious denominations obtain acts
OF Incorporation for all bodies for which application is
made
In New York. law was passed in 1919, for incorpo
rating religious societies In 1919 and g. now acts of
Incorporation were passed and former ones modi
fled and confirmed. This showa that after long oxpe
rence OF the operations u such law. OWLS is found to
grow out Of II, aud no disposition s eynced 10 repeal
In the North Carolina code of laws which was rev Used
IN 1886 and y, there Is law for Incorporating religious
societies In that act In section 9th, II is enacted that
LANDS houses. tenemenis gifts donations Of any kind
or nature whatsoever that have been heretofore or may
DO hereafter grven, granted. otherwise confirmed
conveyed any religious scioy, congregation. u
any Of the members thereof for the Of the said society
cong rogaton shall be deemed aud held valid In law
10 convey To tho said society congregation ur espuc-
tive societies congregations, HE absolute Of all
such property may have been intended be made OF
expressed in ihn deed oi sale, viii OF glnn
Ia 1919, the Legislature of Alabama passed a law to
incorporate parishes Nj that They might hold property
The Legislature of Michigan IN 1887 aud g. passed
law TO incorporate religious congregs tons In the 3
section Of that Law il Is enacted that "all lauds. tene-
mon's and herodamen,s that have been may be here
after conveyed by devise, gi, grant. purchase other
wise TO any persons trustees In truth for the OF
any religious sooeiiesor congregation which may here
after be organized within this State, either Tor meeting
house, burying ground, for the residence of any prsach
or, may descend, with the Improvements and appurle
Dancos, In perpetual succession to, and shall be held by
such trustees IN trust"
Ia tho laws of Michigan while il was a Territory Of
the United States. there Is act, passed in 1921. "io
confer ON certain associations, the powers and nmuni
lies of corporations, bodies polite in law" This law
was adopted from the laws OF two OF the original States,
to witt the States Of New York and Pennsylvania as lr
necessary scaba to the 70 instances of the terrific
ry Of Alclean" In that law II Is enacted, "tha when
any number Of persons associated as5oci-
aio for any scientific, literary. charitable religious pur
poses and shall be dcSous 10 acquire and enjoy the
eis and immuntes Of corporation, or body polite in
law" &c. Then follows the manner in which they
may apply and obtain the law.In section ih Of this
act II Is enacted that The "corporation established by
this ac and the thereof respectively provided
and declared aforesaid shall he able and capable in
law, according to the terms and conditions Of the ins,ru-
mcni upon which the corporations respectively are as
aforesaid formed and established, take receive aud
hold all manner Of lands. ienenents rents, annultins
franchises, aud hereditaments and any of money
and any and portiun VI goods and chaes Civ.
and bequenhed unto them respectively, to be employ
ed and disposed Of according 10 the Objects articles and
conditions III the Instrument upon which said corporations
respectively are, aforesaid formed and established
according the articles and Of the said corpora
tons respectively, the will and instrument Of the do
nors."
Sec. 9th. "And be it enacted that when any last will
and testament is brought to be recorded in any Of the
Registers offices in this terrilury, which shall contain
any beqnest corpurae public body, the Register is
hereby cunned and required that within six months he
shall make known by letter addrssed to the corporate
body in whose favor the bequesi legacy is made, the
nature and amount OF the same together with the
of the executors Of the last will and testament"
This law so clear lu and equitable, i, should be re-
membered, copied from the statutes Of two OF the old
States which have, for years, tested their safety and
their utility.
/ In Kentucky, laws have been passed to favor religious
bodies in obtaining and holding property bequea,hed to
them. The Legislature Of that State between the years
Of 800 and 1881, Incorporated less than nine socie
ties belonging different demon nations of christians.
Ia South Carpna applications for acts Of ncorpora-
ton granted to all societies, well for religion as
for other purposes.
Arkansas Legislature passed law in $685. to enable
trustees Of religious bodies hold property put in their
possession.
Laws Incorporating religious societies, far to
able them receive requests and apply them Ia the obs
r,xliIs hat. hapn Inv