Chap. 947.—An ACT to amend section 1398 of the ende and section 1399 of the

code, as amended by an act approved January 31, 1890, as to what conveyances
for religious purposes are valid.

Approved March 4, 1898.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That section
three thousand three hundred and ninety-eight of the code of Virginia,
and section three thousand three hundred and ninety-nine of said code,
as amended by an act of the general assembly of Virginia, approved
January thirty-first, eighteen hundred and ninety, and section one thou-
sand four hundred and one of said code, be amended and re-enacted s0
as to read as follows:

§ 1598. What convevances, and so forth, for religious purposes valid. —
Every conveyance, devise or dedication shall be valid, which, since the
first day of January, seventeen hundred and seventy-seven, has been

made; and every conveyance shall be valid which hereafter shall be made
of land for the use and benefit of any religious congregation, or any
church or any religious socicty or branch or division thercof as a place for
public and divme worship, or as a burial place or a residence for a min-
ister, or for the use and benefit of any such religious congregation, church
or religious society, or branch or division thereof, as a residence for its
bishop or other minister or clergyman employed under its authority and
about its business; and such land shall be held only for such use and
benefit, and not otherwise.

§ 1899. Appointment of trustees to effect the purposes of such convey-
ances, and so forth.—The circuit court of the county or the circuit or
corporation court of the corporation, or the judge thereof in vacation,
wherein there is any parcel of such land, or the greater part thereof, may,
on the application of the proper authorities of such religious congrega-
tion, church, or religious socicty or branch or division thercof, from time to
time appoint trustees, either where there were or are none or in place of
former trustees, and change those so appointed, whenever it may seem
to the court or judge proper, to effect and promote the purpose and object
of the conveyance, devise or dedication, and the legal title to such land
shall for that purpose and object be vested in the said trustees for the
time heing and their successors.

§ 1401. How trustees to hold books and furniture.—When books or
furniture shall be given or acquired for the benefit of such religious con-
gregation, church or religious society, or branch or division thereof, to be
used on the said land in the ceremonies of public worship or at the resi-
dence of said bishop, or minister, or clergyman, the same shall stand
vested in the trustees having the legal title to the said land, to be held
by them as the sa/d land is held, and upon the same trusts.

2. This act shall be in force from its passage.