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Untitled Article
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Sir , f 11 HERE are few subjects of greater JL importance to the general interests of the Dissenting body , than the peeds of Trust by which their several places of worship are held . Few subjects are , however , less understood , or less inquired into . In fact , the usual course has been to confide the preparation of the instrument to an
attorney , as a piece of routine ; and , it being once " signed , sealed and delivered" in due legal form , to consign it to the custody of some faithful Trustee , there to abide in undisturbed seclusion until his death imposes on his
heirs the feask of searching among his papers ; and it has heen brought again to light just in time to be renewed , before the last of those who were invested with the power of renewing it had followed his brethren to the grave 1
As a mere security for the tenure of our chapels , then , it is highly important that this subject should be looked into ; but in another view it appears to me of no less importance , and I am anxious to draw the attention of
Unitarian Dissenters in this direction at the present moment , because the increase of their numbers is multiplying the number of congregations in various parts of the kingdom ; and new buildings are consequently rising up for their accommodation .
Hitherto a great error has been committed , by confounding in the same instrument the tenure in the building and the constitution of the Society assembling therein . Where the building is held in trust for the Society ,
this is sufficiently objectionable ; because a power is conferred on the Trustees , which is in a great measure permanent and irresponsible ; and frequently interferes with the free exercise of their judgment by the Society at large , witli respect to such concerns
as should be altogether subject ; to their regulation or choice . But where the building is the property of individuals , whether they form a part of the congregation or not , the objections become infinitely more formidable ; inasmuch as differences may arise which the jealousy , so easily excited between interests obviously separate , and probably supposed to be at vari-
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ance , will render it difficult or impossible to reconcile . Let us distinctly understand why a Society of Christians is formed for public worship . Is it not that the members , being agreed in their " mode of faith , " consider it for their mutual
convenience and improvement to as ~ semble together under the guidance of a common pastor ? This argues no necessary connexion with a particular edifice . They may assemble on the high-ways , as the first Christians did 5 they may use one building this
year , and another the next . But a constitution—fixed principles for the regulation of their concerns , and acknowledged by all the members—is essentially necessary to the well-being of every Society ; and no religious Society should exist , nor indeed can
be said to exist as a Society , without it . It will not , however , be questioned , that a building set apart for the use of such a body must greatly contribute to their comfort and convenience :
that , in other words , it may be subservient to the object for which the Society was formed . It is therefore highly desirable , that every such Society should enjoy the benefit , when it can be obtained without sacrificing superior considerations . But if some of the Trust Deeds are examined , it
will be found that this secondary object , this matter of convenience , has assumed the place of the first - that the affairs of religion , as a congregational concern , are absolutely
supplanted by an anxiety that the property in the building shall not be alienated . Thus , in one place , the 1 * choice of the minister is altogether in the hands of the Trustees ; in another ,
the members of the congregation are not permitted to exercise a choice until the proprietors have agreed to recommend , and other restrictions are devised , by which some or all of the congregation are prohibited from enjoying any substantial right of membership beyond those of attending public worship , and contributing toward s
its support . To say nothing at the p resent moment of the prejudicial effects which must ensue from . 3 uch a system as this , on the zeal , or , when any cause for excitement occurs , on the temper
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410 Chapel Trust Deeds .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1822, page 410, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2514/page/18/
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