Page:Dutch Reformed Churches Union Act 1911.djvu/4

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BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate and House of Assembly of the Parliament of the Union of South Africa, as follows:―

1. After the promulgation of this Act the “Moderatuur” (Executive Committee) of each of the Synods of the Dutch Reformed Churches entering into union shall transmit to the consistory (Kerkeraad) of every congregation of the church represented by such “Moderatuur” a copy of this Act together with the resolution adopted by the Synod to which such congregation may belong, in favour of the union of such church with the other churches specified in such resolution, in order that such consistory may deliberate and determine on and respecting such resolution in a duly constituted meeting (“vergadering”) thereof.

2. As soon as not less than three-fourths of the said consistories have signified to the said “Moderatuur” of the Synod of their church their approval, of the said resolution, after having determined in favour thereof by a majority of votes at a duly constituted session, it shall be lawful for the said Synod by a resolution adopted by a majority of not less than three-fourths of the members then and there present at a duly constituted assembly:―

To confirm the resolution theretofore adopted as aforesaid;

After agreement previously arrived at with duly authorized representatives of the other said Dutch Reformed Churches, or any of them, so proposing to unite as aforesaid, to declare the name to be borne by the said united church.

3. As soon as the several steps referred to in the preceding paragraph hereof have been taken, and the contemplated union has been brought about so far as the uniting churches are concerned it shall be the duty of the said Synod acting through the Moderator and the Scriba thereof, or the person or persons for the time being acting as such, to transmit to the Governor-General for publication a copy of the said resolution, signed by the said Moderator and Scriba, or the person or persons for the time being acting as such, and thereupon it shall and may be lawful for the Governor-General to publish the same by proclamation in the Gazette and in and by such proclamation to assign to and appoint for the said united church the name theretofore adopted and declared by the several uniting churches as the name of the new united church then coming into being, and the said name shall for all