774 ARTICLE 23.

Word " church " as used in this section, means " a body of Christians worshipping
in a particular church edifice or constituting one congregation." In the law of
Maryland the word " church " is synonymous with the corporate entity holding the
title to its property. Doan v. Ascension Parish, 103 Md. 668.

In view of this section, where a religious corporation owns property in fee simple,
any restrictions upon its right to sell and convey such property can only be because
of some clear and positive provision in its charter; no such provision found in a
charter. Starr v. Starr M. P. Church, 112 Md. 184.

See notes to sec. 274.

An. Code, sec. 341. 1904, sec. 303. 18SS, sec. 207. 1868, ch. 471, sec. 158.

276. Every such body politic shall he 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 a voice in the management and direction of congregational or tem-
poral concerns, according to the known custom and usage of their respective
denominations; or the said body politic or corporate shall be chosen, and
the succession kept up, according to the rules, regulations 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 particular church,
society or congregation for directing or managing their congregational or
temporal affairs.

See notes to sec. 274.

An. Code, sec. 342. 1904, sec. 304. 1888, sec. 208. 1868, ch. 471, sec. 160.

277. The minister for the time being, or senior minister, where there
are more than one settled in any church, society or congregation, shall
always, in virtue of his ministry, be a member of the body politic or cor-
porate belonging to the same, exclusive of the number heretofore prescribed
in section 274.

See notes to sec. 274.

An. Code, sec. 343. 1904, sec. 305. 1888, sec. 209. 1868, ch. 471, sec. 161.

278. If any contest shall arise in any church, society or congregation
about the right of voting, or whether the election has been fairly conducted,
agreeably to the true intent and meaning of this article, the parties con-
tending shall each of them choose one discreet and reputable person from
amongst the members or trustees of some neighboring congregation or so-
ciety 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 a
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 judgment or award of a
majority of them, certified under their hands and seals to the contending
parties, shall be final.

See sec. 283, and notes to sec. 274.

An. Code, sec. 344. 1904, sec. 306. 1888, sec. 210. 1868, ch. 471, sec. 162.

279. At the first election or appointment of every politic or corporate
aforesaid, every church, society or corporation assembled as already di-
rected, shall determine on their plan, agreement or regulation, specifying
distinctly the time and manner of electing trustees, and the manner in