1849.

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

CHAP. 349.

to be a corporation and body politic, by the name and
style of the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Par-
sonage of Patapsco Circuit, and by that name they shall
be and are hereby made able and capable in law to
have, purchase, receive, hold, possess, enjoy and retain
to them, and their successors in office, the above estate,
in lands, grounds, tenements and rents, in connexion
with any gifts, donations or annuity, whether by pur-
chase or devise, the same be acquired from any per-
son or persons, bodies politic or corporate, capable to
make the same, and the same property to hold and man
age for the accommodation and support of the preacher
having the pastoral charge of the said circuit for the time
being, appointed as aforesaid, and applied as directed by

Proviso.

the discipline of the said church; provided nevertheless,
that the said corporation or body politic shall not hold
any estate at any time, the annual rents, profits, annui-
ties and emoluments of which shall exceed three hun-
dred dollars.

Common seal.

SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That it shall and may
be lawful for the said corporation, and their successors,
to have a common seal for their use, and the same, at
the will and pleasure of them and their successors, to
change, alter, break, and make anew from time to time,
as they shall think best, and shall in general have and
exercise all such rights, franchises, privileges and im-
munities, as by law are incident and necessary to cor-
porations of this kind, and that the said corporation, and
their successors, shall be able and capable in law to sue
and be sued, to plead and be impleaded, answer and be
answered unto, defend and be defended, in all or any
courts of justice, and before all or any judges, officers,
or persons whatsoever, in all actions, matters, demands,
and things whatsoever.

Vacancies—
how filled.

SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That as often as any one
or more of the trustees hereinbefore mentioned, or their
successors, shall die, or cease to be a member or mem-
bers of the said church, according to the rules and dis-
cipline aforesaid, or shall remove beyond the limits of
said circuit, or twenty-five miles from the parsonage,
then, and in such case, such individuals shall cease to be
trustees, they being hereby declared incompetent to hold
such trusteeship, and in such an event, it shall be the
duty of the minister, who shall have the pastoral charge
of the aforesaid Patapsco circuit for the time being, to
call a meeting of the remaining trustees, as soon there-
after as conveniently may be, and when so met, the
said minister or preacher, shall proceed to nominate one
or more person or persons to fill the place or places of