Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1847-09-20
TO TIE CITIZEN, OF VIRGINIA.
No. Y


Wo compl in. aud the religious community has JUS
cause 10 complain. Of the inequality of our State Legs
Siure Did the General Assemb, refuse to grant Acts
nilnc"poraon fr any purpose however WE might con
demn and Ia nent the polio should have cause 10 com
plain of partaly But this is the policy OF the Stale
Corporate rights are granted freely for all secu, purpo
ss Agricultural. Commercial aud literary associations
rail road steamboat. and coal mining companles-lod
yes of Odd Fellows and Free Nasns. the principles o
whose union are profound seere,-thcatrcal societies
and clubs for amusement chartered, liberal erms
and without hesitation; hut II Christians unite ut the
bidding of enlightened conscience generous piety
on principles proclaimed The world aud admitted 10 be-
Just and noble they are suspected and prescribed Our
citizens may give or bequea their property II an Odd
Fellows lodge. Tor educational other purposes pcr
tanning to The order and IS eoe ~ leg 4 protection;
hui If they give OF bcqucath IL 10 Missionary Society,
OF Society for the relief Of the INDECENT widows and
plans OF MINISTERS who have spent their lives III the
Al aud religious instruction. o their fellow ciilzrns for
very inadequate compensation. IL is not merely lel IN
protected bn' =, far as bquess nrcrned. in effect
nlerlclcd. l. this iairi What evil have we dur to
demand that this discriminating brand shall be placed
upon usl
In Judgment. moral considerations strongly plead
for change in our Legislative pulley Properly clear
ly belongs 10 the man who it. lie has the RICH,
dispose OFF according 10 his peasueproviled. that IN
NJ doing. he Injuries no one. Legislation change
the eternal principles Of rectitue When man of sane
mind siemnly dcyoles his property 10 charitable or
p'ous purposes. it cannot by sclishncss. be diverted
um purposes without hagant violation Of these prnc
pies The person who. under such prelenco oi law
illustrates bcqnes for pious 10 crafty the thirst Of
gan moi only 'nicis an injury on he Of religion
and the interests of the living, but violates the rights Of
The dcienccless dead From such glarng injustice mcn
OF high minded integrity, shrink with instructive horror
They would ne soon rob the grave, divert from rc
gions purposes property Tor which they tood,
which lis rightul owner did not wish them To POSSESS,
aud To which they have. in equity, no sembancc of
claim. Many OF the bcqnoss made in the state 10 inco
oraed bodies have been paid wl,hou, the slightest ob
lection on the art Of the heirs a, law lu, the desire OF
wealth IN most minds passion Tao strong he fess,
I'd when II can be INDUCED under the sItclos plea o L.
gal right. Now, We respectfully ask fellow citizen.
whether the tendency Of our state Legislation To en-
courage course immortal IN lis nature, and which the
good. the wise. and tho noble, will shn in the absence Of
legal Tcsrain,sl
Con empale this matter in another spect In the nj
scnce OF legal provision 10 the appropriation Of h.
quests 10 religious Objects Indirect methods are
adopted 10 attain the end and these give rise 10 fierce
and dcmoralizing litigation. Nor reasonably hope
that such litigation will cease. long as ie aud fire.
queI lily recurring necessity impes seek subs
ine for unequlable Legislation, and onpily
induces others, under plea Of law, 10 aim al nyadanp
that substitute lfit be interest encourage pa
ton then state policy should be- gidly maintained as
tending 10 promote our interest.
While We readily admit that the legislation of the
state has been generally, it should also be considered
that has not been invariably opposed the ncorpora
ton Of religious bod es. by mn act passed in the
session Of 1913. the bible Society Of Virginia ~as
chartered with precisely ths powers asked for tho Bap
isl Gcner Ass ciation. We can perceive but snuls
reason for granting corporate rights IN the ease and
Withholding them in he other. The Bible Society il
supported by the contributions of numerous religious de
nominations; aud the General Association mainly or
wholly by those ofone. But granting that religious bod
es enjoying corporate privileges, are likely prove mis-
eh'evous, an opinion from which utterly dissent We
would Inquire. Is an institution concentrating the wealth.
enegcs and fluence Of several Christian denominations
less to be dreaded than supported by single dero
nation The truth IL, that this consideration II il should
have any lniurncc far from jnst,ing the refusal of The
Legislature would seem to plead Tor the Incorporation Of
our Association. " hat We have asked Of The General
Assembly, and the claim which we appeal 10 the
public 10 sustain. is that the General Associaun and
similar institutions, may enjoy precisely such powers
the Bible Society enjoys Is not the claim easonablel
What evil has resulted from the Incorporation Of the Bi
Bile Society What aarmlst will venture To predict
that future evils will arise from III
ID