R.  S.  20,  §2.
Churches  to

have  privileges,

&c.
R.  S.  20,  §3.
16  Mass.  488.
10  Pick.  172.
5  Cush.  412.
Societies  not  in-
corporated may
organize,  &c.
powers  may
be  revoked.
R.  S.  20,  §§  26,
29.
6  Met.  448.
First  meeting,
&c.,  how  called.
R.  S.  20,  §§27,

28.
6  Met.  448.
See  §§  13,  31.
Section  1.  Every  religious  society  established  or  organized  by  vir-
tue of  any  statute  shall  be  and  continue  a  body  corporate  with  the  pow-
ers given  to  corj^orations  by  chapter  sixty-eight,  and  the  powers,  privi-
leges, liabilities,  and  duties,  set  forth' in  this  chapter;  but  this  chapter
shall  not  enlarge  nor  diminish  the  powers  of  taxation  enjoyed  by  any
religious  society  by  virtue  of  a  special  law  or  act  of  incoi-jsoration,  nor
impair  existing  rights  of  property  of  any  territorial  parish.
Sect.  2.  Keligious  societies,  whether  corporate  or  unincorporate,
shall  continue  to  have  and  enjoy  their  existing  rights,  privileges,  and
immunities,  except  so  far  as  the  same  may  be  limited  or  modified  by  the
provisions  of  this  chapter.
Sect.  3.  The  respective  churches  connected  and  associated  in  public
worship  with  such  religious  societies  shall  continue  to  have,  exercise,
and  enjoy,  all  their  accustomed  privileges  and  liberties  respecting  divine
worship,  church  order,  and  discipline,  and  shall  be  encouraged  in  the
peaceable  and  regular  enjoyment  and  practice  thereof.
