Page:Dutch Reformed Churches Union Act 1911.djvu/10

668

names of the congregation theretofore attaching to and employed by such congregation.

6. It shall be lawful for the person or persons in whom, by the laws, rules and regulations of any of the said uniting churches respectively for the time being the possession or administration of any buildings, lands, funds, moneys, goods or effects belonging to any congregation or Presbytery or to the Synod or General Assembly shall respectively be vested, to sue and be sued in all actions and suits relating to any matter or thing by any such officer or officers respectively possessed or administered as if the same were his or their private property, and in any criminal proceeding the property of any of the matters or things aforesaid may be laid in the person or persons who in any civil action or suit might sue or be sued in respect thereof.

7. The said united church shall be and remain a church exercising its discipline and government by consistories, Presbyteries and a Synod or General Assembly and acknowledging, receiving and professing, in regard to the doctrine thereof, the doctrines contained in the Confessions of Faith and Formularies of Uniformity, namely, the Netherlands Confession of Faith (Confessio Belgica), the Heidelberg Catechism and the Canons of Dort, approved and confirmed by the Synod of Dordrecht in 1618 and 1619; and if any questions or divisions regarding church government, discipline or doctrine should, after the coming into being of the said united church, arise between any members or reputed members of the said church, or of any congregation, consistory, Presbytery, or Synod, or General Assembly of the same, then those persons adhering to and professing respectively the said discipline and government and the doctrine of the said Confessions and Formularies shall be deemed and taken as against all persons who shall adhere to and profess any different discipline, government or doctrines to be the true congregation, consistory, Presbytery or Synod or General Assembly as the case may be of the said church, and as such of right entitled to the possession and enjoyment of any funds, endowments, or other property or rights by law belonging to the said church. or to the congregation, consistory, Presbytery or Synod or General Assembly, in which any such questions or divisions shall have arisen.

Provided nevertheless―

that in every case in which the Synod or General Assembly of the said church shall declare or shall have declared, by resolution duly taken in that