Page:Dutch Reformed Churches Union Act 1911.djvu/2

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[Date of promulgation—12th May, 1911.

To Legalize the Union with each other of the Dutch Reformed Churches existing in the several Provinces of the Union of South Africa and to make further provision in respect of the United Church.

(Assented to 25th April, 1911.) (Signed by the Governor-General in Dutch.)

HEREAS it is desirable that the several Dutch Reformed Churches existing in the several Provinces of the Union of South Africa, to wit, in the Cape of Good Hope, Natal, Transvaal, and the Orange Free State, or any two or more of them, should be empowered to unite with each other.

AND WHEREAS the various Synods of the aforesaid churches have already adopted resolutions in favour of such union;

AND WHEREAS differences might arise in the event of the said churches uniting with each other as aforesaid, in the absence of an Act of Parliament declaring that the said churches have severally the right to enter into such union;

AND WHEREAS it is necessary to maintain and declare the rights of the said united church after such union, in and to property theretofore vested in, or possessed by, the said Dutch Reformed Churches as at present existing, or any of them, or the Synods, presbyteries or the congregations thereof;

AND WHEREAS it is expedient to confer on the Synod or General Assembly of the united church, to be composed of the several aforesaid churches or any two or more of them, after the union as aforesaid, the right, title, and authority at any time hereafter and from time to time to regulate, alter or contract the constitution and composition of the said Synod, and to establish Provincial Synods, subject to the authority of the General Synod or Assembly;

AND WHEREAS it is expedient in the event of such union as aforesaid, to declare the status as regards church membership of coloured persons being members of the Dutch Reformed Church in the Province of the Cape of Good Hope, who may find themselves, or in the event of their being or becoming resident, within any of the other Provinces of the Union, and to continue and maintain the practice and provisions observed and obtaining in such other Provinces with regard to the aforesaid persons;

AND WHEREAS it is desirable to confer on the said church united as aforesaid, power and authority to extend beyond the limits of the Union of South Africa;