The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1868-06-26

same in such monner as they may judg
most conducive to the interest Of their re
spective churches, societies or congrega
tions; provided, that nothing herein shall
authorize any sale, mortgage or other dis
position Of any property held by suel
corporation under any instrument prohib
ting such sale and provided, the clea
yearly income from the estate of any
chuich, society or congregation, exclusiv,
of the rents of pews, collections il
churches, funeral charges, and the like
shall not exceed the yearly sum of twenty
thousand dollars.
Sec. 1853. And be ii enacted, That ey.
cry such body polite shall be chosen and
the succession kept up at such times and
places as are ordinarily used for public
meetings Of the said church, society or
congregation, and by such persons as are
allowed to have q voice in the manage.
ment and direction of congregational or
temporal concerns, according to the known
customs and usage of their respective de-
nominations or the said body polite or
( corporate shall be chosen and the success
sion kept up according 10 the rules, reg.
I ulations and practice that may have been
heretofore adopted and agreed upon, or
that shall be at the first time of electing
agreed upon and adopted, by any partieu-
lar church, society or congregation for
directing or managing their congrega-
tional or temporal affairs.
Sec, 100. And be it enacted, That the
minister for the time being, or senior min
lister, when there are more than one set.
tied in any church, society or congregation
shall always, in virtue of his ministry, be
n member Of the body polite or corporate
belonging to the same, exclusive of the
number heretofore prescribed.
Sec. 16l. And be it enacted, That If
any contest shall arise in any church, So
ciety or congregation about the right of
voting, or whether the election has been
fairly conducted agreeably to the true in.
tent and meaning of this Article, the par
ties contending shall each of them choose
one discreet and reputable person from
amongst the members or trustees of some
neighboring congregation or society of the
same religious persuasion, if any such there
be, and if none such, then Of any other
religious society, which two persons shall
choose third, qualified in like manner,
and the said three persons shall meet at
the place where the difference has arisen,
and hear and determine upon the matter.
and their judgment or award or the iudg
ment or award Of a majority of them,
certified under their hands and seals to
the contending parties shall be final.
Sec. 162. And be it enacted, That OF
the first election or appointment of every
body polite or corporate aforesaid, every
church, society or corporation assembled
as already directed, shall determine on
their plan, agreement or regulation, speoi-
flying distinctly the time and manner of
electing trustees, and the manner in
which the succession shall be perpetuated
and containing an exact description of
the qualifications of the persons seYerally
electing and elected, and to elect, and to
be elected thereafter, and also the name.
style or title of tho corporation by which
itshall thereafter be known, and the anne
of the church, society or congregation
choosing the same. '' ~ -. %
Sec. l63. And be it enacted, That the
said plan, agreementaor regulation shall be
entered in the book hereinafter directed to
be kept by every such corporation, and
the same shall be acknowledged by the
trustees or majority of them, before and
certified by two Justices of the Peace of
the county or city 10 which the said church,
congregation or society, OF the greatest
number of the members shall reside, or
the same may be acknowl edged, before
and certified by Judge of the Circuit
Court, or of the Supreme Bench of Balti-
more city. --a.. ~. rs .-,.-
Sec. 164. And be it enacted, That the
plan or agreement so acknowledged and
certified, shall be filed by the said trus-
tees with the Clerk Of the Circuit Court
Of the county where the said church, so.
ciety or congregation, or the greater part
of the members reside, or the Clerk of
the Superior Court of Baltimore city, il
they or the greater part of the members
reside in the city of Baltimore, within six
months after such acknowledgment shall
be made, and the same shall be recorded
at the expense of the corporation in a
book to be kept for that especial pur-
pose. 'rHesr =. as
Sec. 165. And be it enacted, That il
any change shall be made in the original
plan by authority of the congregation,
such change shall in the same manner be
acknowledged and recorded. ' i'-
Sec. 166. And be it enacted, That ev.
cry such corporation may appoint the
times and places Of the meeting of its
members, and the number necessary to
constitute quorum, and shall provide
and keep good and sufficient record
book, and cause therein to be registered
all its proceedings subject at all times to
the. inspection of the several members Of
the church, society or congregation, aud
the same shall be laid before public
meeting when required by any FIVE OF
more of the members, and the said trus.
tees or majority Of them, shall have
full power to frame such rules and ordi-
nances tor conducting their concerns, as