190

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

Proviso.

the said church; provided, always such members shall be males, of the full age of twenty-one years, and that the said conference shall embrace within its bounds some part of the State of Maryland, be and they are hereby constituted a body politic and corporate, in fact and in law, by the name of the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Brethren in Christ.

Perpetual succession

SEC. 2. And be. it enacted, That by such name they shall have perpetual succession, shall be capable in law to purchase, take and hold to them and their successors in fee, or for a less estate, any lands, tenements or hereditaments, rents or annuities, goods or chattels within this State, by the gift, bargain, sale or devise of any person, body, politic or corporate, capable of making the same, and to use or lease, mortgage

Proviso.

or sell and convey the same in such manner as they may judge most conducive to the interest of said conference, provided, nothing herein shall authorize any sale, mortgage, or other disposition of any property held by it under any instrument prohibiting such sale, and provided, further, the clear yearly income from the estate of such conference, shall not exceed the yearly sum, of twenty thousand dollars.

Shall be continued.

SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That the succession of the said conference shall be continued by the admission and dismissal of members in such manner as is now in use and adopted under the polity of the church of the United Brethern in Christ, or as may from time to time be adopted by the said church, provided always its membership shall consist only of males, of not less than twenty-one years of age.

Trustees.

SEC. 4. And be it enacted, That the Bishop and Presiding Elders of the said conference from the time being shall, when so duly elected, be and continue during their term of office trustees of the property and estates held under this act of incorporation, and all transfers of property, except in cases of gifts or devises to the conference, shall be made to or by them as such trustees.

Be subject.

SEC. 5. And be it enacted, That the said body corporate, shall at all times be, and, remain subject to