1252                                LAWS OF MARYLAND                         [CH. 533

at such meeting. Any by-laws adopted as authorized by this section
shall be subject to amendment, modification, or repeal at any annual
meeting or special meeting of the parish or congregation in the same
manner as herein provided for adoption of such by-laws. Subject to
the provisions of applicable public law, parish by-laws shall be in
conformity with the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant
Episcopal Church and of the Diocese of said Church wherein the
parish is located.

312B.

The Secretary of the parish shall, and it is hereby declared to be
his duty, to enroll any person of the protestant episcopal church who
shall apply for the purpose, on the books of the parish.

312C.

To perpetuate the vestry in each parish, if a vacancy happens in
the vestry after their election, or any one elected shall refuse to serve,
then the other members shall have the power to appoint a new mem-
ber or members, as the case may be, to serve till the next succeeding
annual election.

312D.

The vestrymen of each parish, or a majority of those who shall
attend, shall judge of the election of vestrymen, and of the qualifica-
tion of voters, and of the qualification of the parishioners proposed
to be elected as vestrymen.

312E.

The by-laws of a parish may provide that every person chosen a
vestryman shall, before he acts as such, take and subscribe the oath
of support and fidelity required by the constitution and form of
government, unless such person hath before taken such oath, and
also make and subscribe a declaration of his belief in the Christian
religion, and he shall also take and subscribe the following oath of
office, to wit: "I, A. B. do solemnly swear, that I will faithfully

execute the office of a vestryman of....................................parish, in

.................................... county, without prejudice, favour or affection,

according to the best of my skill and knowledge;" which oaths and
declarations any justice of the peace, or any vestrymen present, may
administer and take.

312F.

Each parish and/or vestry shall have power to make all rules and
regulations respecting the temporal government and support of their
respective parishes, not inconsistent with public law, including, but
not limited to, the enactment of by-laws in accordance with the pro-
visions of Section 312A (a) hereof, containing specific provisions
relating to the time and place of vestry meetings; establishing a
quorum for the transaction of business which shall not be less than
one-third of the number of vestrymen nor more than a majority; and
establishing specific provisions for giving due notice of all meetings.
The rector of each parish shall be a member of the vestry.