Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documentsi
Version No. 001
The Baptist Union Incorporation Act 1930
Act No. 3903/1930
Version as at 13 October 1999
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Section Page
Short title 2
Incorporation and seal of the Baptist Union of Victoria 3
Vesting of property etc. in the Union 4
Property held on trust 6
Execution of conveyance or transfer 7
Members voting at church meetings 7
Appointment of the Union as trustee 8
Execution of conveyances or transfers in certain cases 8
Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents1
Version No. 001
The Baptist Union Incorporation Act 1930
Act No. 3903/1930
Version as at 13 October 1999
An Act to incorporate The Baptist Union of Victoria and for
other purposes.
Preamble
WHEREAS certain persons being members of the
religious denomination called Baptists in the State
of Victoria and holding as their general tenets the
doctrines set forth in the declaration of Baptist
Church Trusts 1892 which is deposited with the
Registrar-General of Victoria at Melbourne and
numbered 6888 (and which declaration is similar
to the statement of Trusts in Schedule "B" hereto)
have formed an Association called "The Baptist
Union of Victoria" a copy of the constitution of
which is set out in Schedule "A" hereto:
AND WHEREAS certain real and personal
property is held by certain trustees upon trust for
the said Association itself or for its Executive
Council or for the Victorian Baptist Home
Missionary Society a constituent of the said
Association or for certain committees of the said
Association or for purposes connected therewith:
AND WHEREAS a number of churches are
constituents of the said Association (any church
which is now or may hereafter become a
constituent of the said Association being
hereinafter called a local church) and real and
personal property is now vested in various persons
as trustees for and on behalf of the said respective
local churches upon certain trusts and generally in
accord with the general tenets above mentioned or
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for various purposes connected with the said
churches:
AND WHEREAS certain real and personal
property has been conveyed to trustees or has been
declared to be held upon trust for certain churches
which churches have been dissolved or dispersed
or upon trust for various purposes connected with
such churches and which were prior to their
dissolution or dispersion constituents of the said
Association:
AND WHEREAS it is expedient that the said
Association should be incorporated and should be
invested with the powers and authorities
hereinafter set forth and that the real and personal
property so vested in various persons as trustees
upon trust for the said Association or its Executive
Council or the Victorian Baptist Home Missionary
Society or for certain committees as aforesaid or
for purposes connected therewith or for churches
which have been dissolved or dispersed or for
purposes connected with such churches should be
vested in the said Association when incorporated
and that the real and personal property so vested in
various trustees for and on behalf of the said
respective local churches or for purposes
connected therewith should be capable of being
vested in the said Association when incorporated
upon the trusts hereinafter set forth:
BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED by the King's Most
Excellent Majesty by and with the advice and consent of the
Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly of Victoria
in this present Parliament assembled and by the authority of
the same as follows (that is to say):
Short title
This Act may be cited as The Baptist Union
Incorporation Act 1930.
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2. Incorporation and seal of the Baptist Union of
Victoria
(1) All persons who from time to time in accordance
with the constitution for the time being thereof are
members of the religious body or denomination
called Baptists in the State of Victoria holding as
their general tenets the doctrines set forth in
Schedule "B" hereto and who now or hereafter
constitute the Association called "The Baptist
Union of Victoria" from henceforth shall be a
body corporate by the name of "The Baptist Union
of Victoria" and shall have perpetual succession
and a common seal and under that name may sue
and be sued prosecute and defend and take and
suffer all other proceedings in all courts civil and
criminal within the said State and it shall be
lawful for the said body corporate (hereinafter
referred to as "the Union") to make by-laws and
such alterations in and additions to the
constitution of the Union a copy of which is set
out in Schedule "A" hereto as may be found from
time to time necessary and it shall be further
lawful for the Union to take purchase receive hold
and enjoy real and personal property of any
description whatsoever and also to sell grant
transfer convey exchange demise (whether by way
of building lease or otherwise) give easements
over or otherwise dispose of either absolutely or
by way of mortgage charge lien or other
encumbrance any of the property real or personal
at any time belonging to the Union whether
subject to trusts or not and if subject to trusts with
power to the Union to carry out the provisions of
such trusts and generally to exercise subject to the
provisions of this Act all powers rights and
privileges incident to a body corporate and the
Executive Council for the time being of the said
Association duly appointed under the said
constitution (hereinafter called "the Executive
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Council") shall have the custody and use of the
common seal of the Union and a majority of the
members of such Council present at any meeting
duly convened shall have power to use or direct
the use of such seal for all purposes for which the
use of such seal is required.
(2) The seal shall only be affixed by virtue of a
resolution of the said majority and in the presence
of two members of the Executive Council and of
the President or the Secretary for the time being of
the Union and the said two members and the
President or Secretary shall sign their names to the
document to which the seal has been affixed.
3. Vesting of property etc. in the Union
(1) All the estate and interest of the several persons
named in Schedule "C" hereto in the real and
personal estate therein set forth and all other the
estate and interest in real and personal property
(not including the Victorian Baptist Fund) within
the said State held by any person or persons as
trustee or trustees in trust for the said body or
denomination called Baptists or for its Executive
Council or for the Victorian Baptist Home
Missionary Society or for any committee of the
said Association whether for any special purposes
or generally for such body or denomination
executive council society or committee shall from
and after the coming into operation of this Act
vest in the Union without the necessity for any
conveyance transfer or other assurance of such
property.
(2) All real and personal property within the said
State held by any person or persons as trustee or
trustees in trust for any church or for any purpose
connected therewith under the provisions of the
Model Deed of Trust of the Baptist Union of
Victoria deposited with the Registrar-General of
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Victoria at Melbourne numbered 6888 or upon
and subject to the trusts set out in a prior Model
Deed of Trust of the Baptist Association (now
known as the Baptist Union) of Victoria deposited
with the Registrar-General of Victoria at
Melbourne and numbered 5510 which church was
prior to the coming into operation of this Act
dissolved or dispersed and which church was prior
to its dissolution or dispersion a constituent of the
said Association shall from and after the coming
into operation of this Act vest in the Union
without the necessity of any conveyance transfer
or other assurance of such property and shall
cease to be held upon the express trusts to which it
was heretofore subject and shall henceforth be
held managed and dealt with by the Union in such
manner as the Executive Council may from time
to time direct subject nevertheless to all mortgages
liens and other charges affecting the same
immediately prior to the date of such vesting.
(3) Where any property vested in the Union under this
section consists of property registered under the
Transfer of Land Acts the Registrar of Titles on
application made to him in that behalf and proof
to his satisfaction of the facts relating thereto and
on payment of the necessary fees shall give effect
to such vesting by registering the said Union as
proprietor.
(4) Save as herein otherwise provided all property
becoming vested in the Union as hereinbefore
mentioned or which shall in any manner be
acquired by the Union shall so far as the same is
subject to any express trust be held by the Union
in conformity with such express trust and shall so
far as the same is not subject to any express trust
be held managed and dealt with in such manner as
the Executive Council may from time to time
direct.
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4. Property held on trust
The trustee or trustees being entitled to any estate
or interest in real or personal property in the State
of Victoria under any deed instrument or will
upon trust for any local church or for any purpose
connected therewith may convey or transfer the
same to the Union and the same shall in that case
be held by it (subject and without prejudice to any
mortgage charge encumbrance lien or lease
affecting the same respectively) for the benefit of
such local church upon the following trusts, that is
to say—
(a) if such property shall be held by such
trustees upon and subject to the trusts set out
in the Model Deed of Trust numbered 5510
or the Model Deed of Trust numbered 6888
referred to in sub-section (2) of section three
of this Act then such property shall as from
the date of such conveyance or transfer be
held by the Union upon the trusts contained
in Schedule "B" hereto;
(b) if such property shall not be held by such
trustees upon either of the trusts referred to
in the preceding sub-section then the same
shall as from the date of such conveyance or
transfer be held by the Union upon any
express trusts to which the same was then
subject and in so far as the said property was
not subject to any express trusts shall be held
upon such trusts as such local church may at
any time thereafter declare such declaration
to be made by resolution passed by not less
than two-thirds of the members of the church
in trust for whom or in trust for a purpose
connected wherewith such property is held
who are present and vote at a special meeting
convened and held in the manner provided in
clause 10 of Schedule "B" hereto relating to
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the convening and holding of a special
church meeting and in the meantime shall be
held managed and dealt with in such manner
as a majority of the members of such church
who are present and vote at any general
meeting may by resolution direct:
Provided always that a minute of a resolution
contained in the minutes of the meeting and
signed by the chairman thereof shall be
conclusive proof for all purposes that such
meeting was duly convened and that such
resolution was duly passed thereat by the
requisite majority.
5. Execution of conveyance or transfer
Such trustee or trustees shall not execute any such
conveyance or transfer as aforesaid to the Union
until he or they shall have been directed so to do
by a resolution passed by not less than two-thirds
of the members of the church in trust for whom or
in trust for a purpose connected wherewith such
real or personal property is held who are present
and vote at a special meeting duly convened and
held in the same manner as provided in clause 10
of Schedule "B" hereto relating to the convening
and holding of a special church meeting:
Provided always that a minute of the said
resolution contained in the minutes of the meeting
and signed by the chairman thereof shall be
conclusive proof for all purposes that such
meeting was duly convened and that such
resolution was duly passed thereat by the requisite
majority.
6. Members voting at church meetings
Only such of the members present at any church
meeting referred to in this Act as have attained the
age of twenty-one years and who would be
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entitled to vote at a special church meeting
convened and held under the provisions of
clause 10 of Schedule "B" hereto for any of the
purposes therein mentioned shall be allowed to
vote upon any resolution hereinbefore referred to.
7. Appointment of the Union as trustee
Such conveyance or transfer of property subject as
aforesaid shall be deemed to include an
appointment of new trustees the Union being
substituted for the individual trustees and such
conveyance or transfer when completed and
accepted by the Union shall from and after the
date thereof operate as a discharge of all the
individual trustees from any further duties under
the trust.
8. Execution of conveyances or transfers in certain
cases
In case in relation to any conveyance or transfer as
aforesaid any trustee or trustees in whose name or
names the property stands shall refuse or neglect
for one month after request by his or their
co-trustee or co-trustees to execute such
conveyance or transfer or shall in the opinion and
belief of the representative for the time being of
the Baptist Union of Victoria registered under
Part II of the Religious Successory and
Charitable Trusts Act 1928 be dead or unable to
be found or absent from Victoria then such
representative may execute such conveyance or
transfer in lieu of such trustee or trustees:
Provided always that the execution by such
representative of a conveyance or transfer under
any of the circumstances aforesaid shall be as
valid and effectual for all purposes as if the same
had been executed by the trustee or trustees
refusing or neglecting to execute or being dead
unable to be found or absent from Victoria as
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aforesaid and the mere fact of execution by such
representative shall be conclusive proof for all
purposes that all matters and conditions
preliminary to such execution by him as required
by this section have duly occurred or have been
duly complied with.
9. Register of successory trusts
Where under or in pursuance of any of the
provisions of this Act any property becomes
vested in the Union the Register of Successory
Trusts shall thereupon as to such property be
closed and the Registrar of Titles shall upon
production to him of any document of title
endorsed under section sixteen of the Religious
Successory and Charitable Trusts Act 1928
cancel such endorsement.
10. Powers of the Union as to property
Except in so far as it may be shown to be
expressly prohibited from so doing by the original
trusts to which such property is subject the Union
may demise for any term (whether upon building
leases or other leases or tenancies) charge
mortgage encumber give easements over alien
exchange partition or sell any property vested in it
and generally deal with the same as fully and
effectually as if it were the beneficial owner
thereof.
11. References to "Executive Committee" etc.
Where any property is held by any person or
persons as trustee or trustees in trust for any local
church or for any purpose connected therewith
under the provisions of the Model Deed of Trust
numbered 5510 or the Model Deed of Trust
numbered 6888 referred to in sub-section (2) of
section three of this Act then any reference in
either of such Model Deeds to the Executive
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Committee of the Baptist Association of Victoria
or the Executive Committee of the Baptist Union
of Victoria shall in relation thereto be read and
construed as from the coming into operation of
this Act as the Executive Council of the Baptist
Union of Victoria.
12. Alteration etc. of Schedule "B"
The provisions of the statement of trusts set out in
Schedule "B" to this Act may at any time and
from time to time be altered modified or amended
by the Union by resolution duly passed in
accordance with the constitution.
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SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE "A"
I—NAME
THE BAPTIST UNION OF VICTORIA
II—CONSTITUENTS
All Churches belonging to the Union and the Societies and Institutions,
constituents of such Union or affiliated therewith at the date this Constitution
becomes operative, the Trustees of the Victorian Baptist Fund, the Board of
Trustees appointed by this Union on the 18th November, 1884, or their
successors for the time being, together with such Churches, Societies,
Institutions and Associations as shall be hereafter admitted or affiliated in
conformity with this Constitution, and the by-laws hereinafter set forth.
For the guidance of this Union, and of those who may hereafter constitute the
same, it is hereby noted that this Union approves and adopts those doctrines
which constitute the Doctrinal Basis of the Victorian Baptist Fund, and other
Trust Funds, and the principles and ideals of the Baptist faith, both of which
are as follows:
III—DOCTRINAL BASIS
The Divine inspiration and supreme authority of the Scriptures of the
Old and New Testaments.
The existence of One God in Three Persons—the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Ghost.
The Deity and Incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Son of
God, the second Person in the Holy Trinity.
The fallen, sinful and lost estate of all mankind.
The salvation of men from the penal consequences and the power of sin,
through the perfect obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ, His atoning
death, His resurrection from the Dead, His ascension to the right hand of
the Father, and His unchanging Priesthood.
The immediate work of the Holy Spirit in the regeneration of men, in
their sanctification, and in their preservation to the Heavenly Kingdom
of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The necessity, in order to salvation, of repentance towards God, and of
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Section 2.
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8. The resurrection of the Dead, the final judgment of all men by the Lord
Jesus Christ.
9. The two ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ, namely, Baptism and the
Lord's Supper, which are of perpetual obligation—Baptism being the
immersion of Believers upon the profession of their faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ, and a symbol of the fellowship of the regenerate in His
Death, burial and resurrection; the Lord's Supper being a memorial,
until He come, of the sacrifice of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
IV—PRINCIPLES AND IDEALS OF THE BAPTIST FAITH
Whilst holding many phases of Christian Truth, in common with other
Denominations, Baptists place a distinctive emphasis upon the following
fundamental principles of the Christian Faith, as revealed in the New
Testament.
The Child in the Kingdom—
(a) Baptists believe that infants are God's little ones, whether children
of Christian or non-Christian parents, and accept without
modification the word of the Lord. "Of such is the Kingdom of
Heaven." This Christian view of the child makes the external act of
"Infant Baptism" unnecessary;
(b) Baptists approve of the presentation of children to God by parents,
if thereby they solemnly undertake to train them in the nurture and
admonition of the Lord, in the home, and in the Church.
The Significance of Conversion—
(a) to all who at the stage of personal responsibility ignore God's law,
and wander as prodigals from the Father's Home, Baptists preach
the gospel of the Father's love, and the message of the Cross, as the
Way of Life. Conversion is acceptance of Jesus Christ as Saviour
and Lord;
(b) this acceptance of Christ is a personal and deliberate act, involving
the assent of the mind, the decisions of the will, and the love of the
heart;
(c) this avowal of allegiance to Christ implies a constant endeavour to
live a life worthy of, and well-pleasing to Him in all things.
The Church—a Spiritual Society—
Baptists hold that the Church, as established by the Lord Jesus Christ,
should consist of persons who have personally and intelligently
accepted Him as Saviour and Lord, and pledged themselves to
discipleship and service in the Kingdom of God.
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4. The Lordship of Christ in the Church—
(a) Baptists hold and teach that Jesus Christ alone is the Head of the
Church, as He is Prophet, Priest and King of the Soul, without the
intervention of any person or ritualistic ceremony;
(b) therefore, He is the sole authority in all matters of faith and
conduct, in the life both of the Church and of the individual;
(c) this involves liberty of thought and of conscience, and the right of
the believer and the Church freed from any ecclesiastical or other
external authority, to interpret His mind.
5. The Standard of Belief—
(a) believing that the voice of the Church is subordinate to the voice
of Christ, and that the mind of the Master is the standard of
Christian belief, Baptists do not subscribe to any formal Church
Creed lest it hamper the development of Christian thought;
(b) further, in their interpretation of the Lord's farewell declaration
"When He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all
Truth," Baptists accept the principle that God has yet "more light
and truth to break forth from His Word";
(c) therefore, Baptists claim the personal privilege, and accept the
Christian responsibility of courageously thinking God's thoughts
after Him, under the guidance and inspiration of the Spirit of
Truth.
6. The Ministry of Leadership—
(a) in adopting the Congregational Principles of Church government,
with no formal creed, with no external authority, and no defined
ecclesiastical polity, and each member having equal rights and
responsibilities the Baptist Church is largely dependent on the
reality and vigour of the spiritual life of its individual members;
(b) this spiritual life is generated by the understanding and inspiration
of Christ's ideals, and by the creation and maintenance of a
spiritual atmosphere, in which all that is unworthy dies, and in
which Christian life becomes healthy and aggressive;
(c) the Baptist Minister accepts his office from the Lord of the
Church, and while he is a "servant of the Church", the Church is
not his master, He is the spiritual leader in the life and ministry of
the Church;
(d) associated with the Minister in the spiritual oversight of the
Church are men and women chosen for their Christian gifts and
graces, who are called to be examples to the members of the
Church, in conduct, zeal, self-denial and generosity;
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(e) Church officers are appointed as spiritual leaders to work in
sympathetic co-operation with the Minister and Church members;
(f) the periodic Church Business Meeting is the centre of the Church's
Christian activities, and is the seat of authority in the management
of Church business.
7. The Christian Significance of Baptism—
(a) Christian Baptism, by which is meant the immersion of believers
as instituted by our Lord, is a personal, public confession of the
believer's identification with Christ, and is a means of grace to the
Christian;
(b) Baptism is an outward act which symbolizes, but does not effect
regeneration and salvation is not dependent on it;
(c) Baptism is a glorious privilege and a personal responsibility and is
a help to the believer in reminding him of his spiritual union with
Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.
8. The Fellowship of the Lord's Supper—
(a) to Baptists the Church is not so much an organization as a
fellowship, effective only as there is spiritual association with the
Head of the Church;
(b) the Lord's Supper is a service of spiritual fellowship whereby
through remembrance of His Life and Death, believers may
experience in supreme degree the reality and influence of His
Presence;
(c) it is an opportunity of entering into close fellowship with the Lord
in the Holy of Holies, where there is a rekindling of love and a
reconsecration of life to His service.
9. The Church and the Kingdom—
Baptists recognize their responsibility to strive for the establishment of
the Kingdom of God in the world, and teach that membership in the
Church implies service and sacrifice. This involves a stewardship of
time, talents, and money, worthy of the Son of God who loved and
served mankind, even unto Death.
V—OBJECTS OF THE UNION
To promote the unity of the Churches in faith, fellowship and worship.
Church Extension—
(a) by establishing, taking over, assisting, and/or maintaining
Churches in suitable localities in Victoria and in adjoining States,
with the consent of the State Union concerned;
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(b) by assisting in the erection of buildings for Church, School and
other Denominational purposes;
(c) by assisting, when necessary, the Churches in the maintenance of
their Ministers.
3. To carry on Home Mission work.
4. To establish and conduct Denominational Schools or Colleges and
Hostels.
5. To carry on any work for the physical, mental, and spiritual welfare of
children, whether by way of Free Kindergarten or otherwise.
6. To give assistance to necessitous Churches.
7. To carry on Foreign Mission work.
8. To educate students for the ministry.
9. To assist aged and infirm Ministers and Home Missionaries, their
widows and/or children.
10. To establish and administer any fund or funds for the benefit of
Ministers and Home Missionaries, their widows and/or children,
whether by way of a pension or annuity scheme or otherwise.
11. To provide for properties being held in trust for the Churches, Societies,
and Institutions of this Union and to protect the interests of the
Churches, Societies and Institutions, in reference to Trusts for Church,
School, or any other purpose whatsoever connected with this Union.
12. To become a constituent of or associated with any federated body or
bodies of or created by the Baptist Union of the States of Australia or
any of them, and to delegate to such body or bodies any of the activities
of this Union, and to transfer to such body or bodies any of the funds of
this Union.
13. To give advice and guidance to Churches which are or are about to
become pastorless, and to Ministers and Churches in circumstances of
difficulty.
14. To aid in the promotion of public morality and social reform.
15. To collect and disseminate information relative to the history, condition,
and activities of Baptists throughout the world, and to promote fraternal
intercourse between Baptists in Victoria and elsewhere.
16. To afford opportunity for conference and for public declaration of
principles and opinion; and to confer and co-operate with other
Christian communities as occasion may require.
17. Generally to devise and carry out such schemes as may be found to be
of benefit to the Denomination.
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VI—OPERATIONS
The Union shall act through its Assembly, Officers, Executive Council,
Committees and Departments and Constituent Bodies.
VII—ASSEMBLY
The Assembly shall consist of such of the following as shall be members of a
Baptist Church belonging to the Baptist Union of Victoria:
The Officers of the Union.
(a) Ministers of or belonging to the Baptist Union of Victoria whose
names are on the official list referred to in the by-laws; or
(b) who have been commended to the confidence of the Churches, and
registered for the celebration of marriages.
Home Missionaries on the Home Mission Staff, and whose appointment
has been approved by the Executive Council.
Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer of each Committee, or Department
affiliated or constituent body other than Churches of the Union.
Delegates appointed by the Churches of the Union.
Members of the Advisory Board.
Trustees for the time being of the Victorian Baptist Fund.
The Board of Trustees appointed by this Union on the 18th November,
1884, or their successors for the time being.
The Principal and Professors for the time being of the Baptist College of
Victoria.
The Principal for the time being of the Carey Baptist Grammar School,
and any other school or schools that may hereafter become affiliated
with the Union.
Honorary Members who shall be persons who have rendered important
services to the Denomination, provided always that the number of
Honorary Members shall not at any time exceed ten (10).
The Annual Session of the Assembly shall be held in the month of October
each year, in such place as the Executive Council (hereinafter named) shall
determine.
There shall also be a half-yearly Session held at such time and in such place
as the said Council shall determine.
The Council shall have power, from time to time, to convene any other
Session at such time and place as it shall determine.
Thirty members shall form a quorum.
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VIII—OFFICERS
The Officers of the Union shall be President, Vice-President, immediate past
President, Treasurer, General Secretary, Hon. Legal Adviser, and any other
person who shall be appointed to an office permanently created by the Union
at an Annual Session of the Assembly (all of whom shall be elected as
provided in the By-laws) and the Representative for the purposes of the
Trusts Act 1915, and of any other Act of Parliament that may be hereafter
passed, who shall hold office during the pleasure of the Assembly.
IX—EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND COMMITTEES
The Executive Council shall consist of such of the following as shall be
members of a Baptist Church belonging to the Baptist Union of Victoria:
Officers of the Union.
Honorary Members of the Assembly.
Trustees for the time being of the Victorian Baptist Fund.
The Board of Trustees appointed by this Union on the 18th November,
1884, or their successors for the time being.
Members of the Advisory Board.
Ministers of or belonging to the Baptist Union of Victoria—
(a) whose names are on the official list referred to in the By-laws; or
(b) who have been commended to the confidence of the Churches and
registered for the celebration of marriages.
Home Missionaries on the Home Mission Staff, and whose appointment
has been approved by the Executive Council.
Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer of each Committee, Department
affiliated, or constituent body other than Churches of the Union.
The Principal and Professors for the time being of the Baptist College in
Victoria.
The Principal for the time being of the Carey Baptist Grammar School
and any other school or schools that may hereafter become affiliated
with the Union.
One representative from each Church having twenty-five or less
members, and an additional representative for every hundred members
or part thereof above the first twenty-five.
Not more than ten (10) special members appointed by the Executive
Council for a term not exceeding twelve months and who shall be
eligible for re-appointment.
Twenty-five shall form a quorum.
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The Executive Council shall partly or wholly from its members appoint
persons to serve on the Committees, as provided in the said By-laws.
X—FINANCE AND PROPERTY
The Funds of this Union shall consist of private donations, bequests,
collection at Meetings of the Union, and contributions from the Churches,
each contributing donor, subscriber, Church, Society, or Institution to have
the right to designate the branch of the work of the Union which it is desired
to aid. Separate accounts shall be kept of the Funds dealt with by each
Committee named in the By-laws; and accounts certified by auditors
appointed by the Council shall be presented to every Annual Session of the
Assembly.
XI—REPORTS
Reports, setting forth the receipts, expenditure, financial position and
proceedings of each Committee and Department, as well as information
respecting matters demanding the attention of the Constituents, together with
statistics and letters relative to the condition and progress of each associated
Church, Society or Institution, shall be prepared and submitted to the Annual
Session of the Assembly. There shall also be interim reports thereon
submitted to the Half-yearly Session.
XII—BY-LAWS
By-laws for carrying out this Constitution may be made, rescinded, or altered
by the Assembly at an Annual Meeting. No addition or alteration shall be
made except after three months' notice in writing has been given to the
Executive Council.
XIII—ALTERATION OF CONSTITUTION
No change in this Constitution shall be made except by the approval of two-
thirds of the members present and voting at an Annual Session of the
Assembly, written notice of the proposed change having been given at the
preceding Annual or Half-yearly Sessions of the Assembly.
XIV—OPERATION
This Constitution and the By-laws above referred to shall become operative
as from the 31st day of October, 1928.
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SCHEDULE "B"
THE UNION shall hold and stand seised and possessed of the land
hereditaments and premises UPON THE TRUSTS and for the intents and
purposes and with under and subject to the powers declarations and provisoes
hereinafter declared and contained (that is to say)—
To build or permit to be built upon the land a Chapel and schoolroom
and residence and such other buildings as may be convenient or any of
them and to permit the said land with the Chapel and other buildings
erected thereon and any other buildings that may hereafter be erected
thereon (all of which are hereinafter referred to as "the trust premises")
to be used occupied and enjoyed under the direction of the Church for
the time being assembling for worship therein (the said Church being
such as those from time to time belonging to the Baptist Union of
Victoria and possessing nevertheless the powers set out in Clause 2
hereof) as a place for the public worship of God and for Sunday and
daily tuition or instruction and as a residence and generally for such
other purposes as the said Church shall direct and under the direction of
the said Church to permit any such Chapel or other buildings to be
completed repaired altered enlarged taken down and wholly or partially
rebuilt.
The said Church shall be governed on Congregational principles that is
the members of the Church for the time being shall subject to the
provisions of Clause 10 hereof have full power to manage all their
affairs according to their uncontrolled discretion in every respect.
To permit the Deacons or other persons appointed for the purpose by the
said Church to receive all moneys for the use of pews and sittings or
otherwise given or paid for the purposes aforesaid which moneys shall
be applied and disbursed as the said Church shall from time to time
direct.
To permit such persons only to officiate or reside in or upon any of the
trust premises as Pastors as shall be Baptists and as shall have been
chosen by the said Church at a Special Meeting duly convened and held
for that purpose as provided in Clause 10 hereof (and shall not have
been subsequently dismissed as hereinafter mentioned or shall not have
resigned the said office of Pastor) and who shall moreover hold preach
teach and maintain the doctrines and practices following (that is to
say)—
(a) the divine inspiration and supreme authority of the Scriptures of
the Old and New Testaments;
(b) the existence of One God in Three Persons—the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost;
Sections 2, 4,
5, 6, 12.
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(c) the Deity and Incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Son
of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity;
(d) the fallen, sinful, and lost estate of all mankind;
(e) the salvation of men from the penal consequences and the power
of sin through the perfect obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ, His
atoning death, His resurrection form the dead, His ascension to the
right hand of the Father, and His unchanging Priesthood;
(f) the immediate work of the Holy Spirit in the regeneration of men,
in their sanctification, and in their preservation to the heavenly
kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ;
(g) the necessity, in order to salvation, of repentance towards God and
of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ;
(h) the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment of all men by
the Lord Jesus Christ;
(i) the two ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ, namely, Baptism and
the Lord's Supper, which are of perpetual obligation:
Baptism being the immersion of believers upon the profession of
their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and a symbol of the fellowship
of the regenerate in His death, burial, and resurrection; the Lord's
Supper being a memorial, until He come, of the sacrifice of the
body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ—
and who shall with regard to Baptism observe and practice it by
immersion only.
And to remove and in all lawful ways eject from the trust premises any
Pastors whom the said Church at a Special Meeting duly convened and
held as provided in Clause 10 hereof shall dismiss and the Union shall
not permit to officiate or reside in or upon any of the trust premises as
Pastor any person who shall be known to be guilty of immoral conduct
or who shall cease to be a Baptist or who shall have been dismissed as
last aforesaid but shall permit such other Ministers or persons to
officiate occasionally in the Chapel on the trust premises as the Pastor
or Pastors or Deacons shall authorize or appoint unless the said Church
shall otherwise direct.
5. To raise and borrow such sum or sums of money and upon such terms
as shall be directed by the said Church at a Special Meeting duly
convened and held as provided in Clause 10 hereof and as
circumstances will permit upon or by mortgage or further charge or
otherwise on the security of the trust premises or any part thereof and to
execute all necessary or proper documents for such purpose.
Sch. B
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6. In such manner and on such terms and subject to such conditions as the
title or otherwise as shall be directed as last aforesaid to create
easements or to construct roads and absolutely to sell the trust premises
or any part thereof either together or in parcels and either by public
auction or by private contract or to exchange the same or any part
thereof for any other land or hereditaments and in the said respective
cases to convey assure or transfer the same accordingly.
7. To stand possessed of the money which from time to time shall or may
be borrowed raised or received by way of mortgage or upon any sale or
exchange or otherwise under or in pursuance of the trusts or powers
aforesaid or which may be received in respect of any Insurance Policy
upon the trust premises. Upon trust to lay out and apply the same in or
towards the erection of a Chapel on the said land or the enlargement
rebuilding improvement or repair of the Chapel or other buildings
standing on the said land or the purchase of any other land or
hereditaments or otherwise for the benefit of the said Church such
expenditure and application being for purposes not inconsistent with
these presents and being directed by the said Church at a Special
Meeting duly convened and held as provided in Clause 10 hereof. And
such moneys or any part thereof until required for the purposes of this
clause may be invested in such Real or Government security in the State
of Victoria as to the Union shall seem fit and the annual income shall be
applied in such manner as the said Church shall from time to time direct
at any Church Meeting. Any lands or hereditaments which shall be
acquired by virtue of these presents shall be held by the Union upon the
trusts herein contained.
8. From time to time to demise or let the trust premises or any part or parts
thereof when for such period at such rent and upon such terms and
conditions as shall be directed by the said Church at a Special Meeting
duly convened and held as provided in Clause 10 hereof and for such
purposes to execute all necessary or proper documents. But it is
expressly declared that the reversion in the premises so demised or let
shall continue subject to all the powers herein contained. And that any
rent received shall be applied in such manner as the said Church shall
from time to time direct at any Church Meeting.
9. The receipts of the Union for any mortgage sale exchange rent or other
moneys payable in respect of the trust premises shall exonerate the
person paying the same from all liability to see to the application thereof
and it shall not be incumbent on any mortgagee purchaser or tenant or
lessee of the said premises or any part thereof or on any person taking
the same on exchange to inquire into the necessity or propriety of any
such mortgage sale demise letting or exchange or its due authorization.
10. The Special Meetings of the said Church referred to in Clauses 4, 5, 6,
7, 8, and 13 hereof may be convened at any time by or by the authority
of the Deacons for the time being of the said Church by or by the
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authority of the Pastor alone if there shall be no Deacons or if there shall
be no Deacons or Pastor or being such if they or he shall not duly
convene such Meeting forthwith after written request to them or him to
do so from any one-sixth or more of the members for the time being of
the said Church or from the Union then by or by the authority of such
one-sixth or more members or (as the case may be) by or by the
authority of the Union. Every such Special Church Meeting as aforesaid
shall be convened by public notice specifying the time and place of
holding such Meeting and the purpose thereof given in the Chapel or
building for the time being upon the said land and hereditaments once at
each service held on each of the two Lord's Days next preceding such
Meeting at the usual time for giving notices during Divine service or by
written notices affixed conspicuously to the said Chapel or the principal
building (or if there be no Chapel or building then upon the land) and
such meeting shall not be held earlier than the second day next
following the latter of such Lord's days or the fourteenth day after the
affixing of such notices. Those persons only shall be entitled to make
request for such Special Meetings or to vote thereat who have been
members of the said Church for the space of at least six months and
have attained the age of twenty-one years and have been present at the
Communion of the said Church at the Lord's table once at least during
the preceding six months. The vote of two-thirds at least of such
members so entitled to vote as shall be personally present and vote at
such Special Meeting of the said Church duly convened and held as in
this clause provided shall for the purposes hereof be deemed and taken
to be the vote of and bind all the members of the said Church. At every
such Special Meeting a Chairman shall be appointed before proceeding
to business. The provisions in this Clause contained for calling and
regulating Special Church Meetings shall not apply to the Ordinary
Meetings of the said Church for the management of its internal affairs.
11. A memorandum or minute signed by the Chairman of any Church
Meeting for any of the purposes aforesaid of any resolution or
resolutions adopted or business transacted thereat shall for all purposes
of mortgage sale demise letting exchange or any other of the purposes
of these presents be deemed conclusive evidence of the due adoption of
such resolution or resolutions and of the transaction of such business at
a duly convened and duly held Meeting and it shall be presumed that the
person subscribing such memorandum or minute as Chairman was duly
appointed to that office.
12. All which has been properly done or may be properly in course of
action at the date of the adoption of these presents in or relating to any
of the matters herein referred to or the trust premises shall be as valid
and binding as if done under these presents and in accordance with the
directions herein contained.
Sch. B
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The Baptist Union Incorporation Act 1930
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13. In addition and without prejudice to the power hereinbefore contained in
case the Union shall be required to pay any money for which it shall be
liable and the same shall not be duly provided by the said Church or
otherwise than by such Union it shall be lawful for it without the
consent request or direction of the said Church or any member thereof
after the expiration of Six calendar months' written notice from the
Secretary of the Union to the Deacons or officers for the time being of
the said Church if there shall be any such Deacons or officers requiring
payment of such money and stating the intention of the Union in case
payment thereof be not made to it within Six calendar months of the
service of such notice to mortgage or sell all or any part of the trust
premises so to mortgage or sell the same when and in such manner in all
respects as the Executive Council of the Union shall think proper and
out of the proceeds thereof to pay all expenses of and incident to such
mortgage or sale and fully to reimburse and indemnify the Union so
liable and then to dispose of the net residue thereof (if any) as the said
Church shall direct at a Special Meeting duly convened and held as
provided in Clause 10 hereof.
14. In the event of the removal of the said Church to another locality the
power hereby vested in the said Church in regard to the trust premises
shall not thereby be suspended or in any manner impaired or affected.
15. Provided lastly that until a Church has been duly formed such as those
from time to time belonging to the Baptist Union of Victoria or in case
the Church so formed or the Church already existing shall at any time
hereafter be dissolved or dispersed or the members thereof be reduced
to five in number or if the stated Public Worship of God in the trust
premises shall be discontinued for Six calendar months continuously
(except in the case of altering or rebuilding) then and in any of such
cases the Union shall stand seised and possessed of the trust premises or
the proceeds to arise from all or any part of the same in trust for such
purpose or purposes and to deal with and dispose of the trust premises
and proceeds as and in such manner as the Executive Council of the
Union if then in existence shall direct by resolution passed by a majority
of two-thirds of the members of the said Council present and voting at a
Special Meeting called for the purpose thereof and certified under the
hand of the President for the time being of the Union or if such Union
be not then in existence then as the Pastors of the five Baptist Churches
connected with the Union at the date of its ceasing to exist then in
existence nearest to the trust premises shall in their discretion direct or
appoint by writing under their hands.
Sch. B
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The Baptist Union Incorporation Act 1930
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SCHEDULE "C"
REAL ESTATE
Description of Land Persons in Whom Vested
Title
Reference
Part Crown Allotments
19 and 20 Section 81
Town of North
Melbourne Parish of
Jika Jika County of
Bourke
Joseph Hunter Goble,
Edward Doery, Andrew
Duncan, Arthur Parker and
Abia Neville
Certificates
of Title
Volume 1706
Folio 341170
and
Volume 2574
Folio 514741
Parts Crown Allotments
5 and 6 Section 30 at
Carlton Parish of Jika
Jika County of Bourke
George Lush, William
Henry Garibaldi
Ellingworth and George
Henry Doery
Certificate
of Title
Volume 4490
Folio 897842
Lot 15 on Plan of
Subdivision Number
5338 lodged in the
Office of Titles being
part of Crown
Allotment 7 Section 2
Parish of Frankston
County of Mornington
William Montague
Cartwright, Frank Stone
and George Henry Doery
Certificate
of Title
Volume 3983
Folio 796574
Part Crown Portion 71
Parish of Boroondara
County of Bourke
Alfred Fairey Fullard,
Frederick William Biggs,
Alfred Albert Milton
Spicer and Leonard
Evenden Tranter
Certificate
of Title
Volume 3451
Folio 690021
Part Crown Portion 71
Parish of Boroondara
County of Bourke
Leonard Evenden Tranter,
Alfred Milton Spicer,
Frederick William Biggs
and Alfred Fairey Fullard
Certificate
of Title
Volume 5148
Folio 1029453
Section 3.
Sch. C
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The Baptist Union Incorporation Act 1930
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Description of Land Persons in Whom Vested
Title
Reference
6. Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4 Plan
of Subdivision Number
10930 lodged in Office
of Titles being Crown
Allotment 21 and part
of Crown Allotment 22
Section 81 at North
Melbourne Parish of
Jika Jika County of
Bourke
Joseph Hunter Goble,
Edward Doery, Andrew
Duncan, Arthur Parker and
Abia Neville
Certificate
of Title
Volume 5124
Folio 1024769
7. Surface and down to a
depth of 50 feet below
the surface of Lot 17 on
Plan of Subdivision
Number 8407 lodged in
Office of Titles being
part of Crown
Allotment 6 Section F
Parish of Monbulk
County of Evelyn
William Henry Garibaldi
Ellingworth, Edmund
Henry Jenkin, Percy John
King, Daniel McRorie and
William John Moore
Certificate
of Title
Volume 5253
Folio 1050506
MORTGAGE SECURITIES
Description of Land Persons in Whom Vested
Registered
Number
Second mortgage from
Francis Clemens of land
comprised in Certificate
of Title Volume 4045
Folio 808806
Edmund Henry Jenkin,
Arthur Ernest Gordon
Webb, William Henry
Garibaldi Ellingworth and
William Gallant
485352
First mortgage from
Mary Sophia Thompson
of land comprised in
Certificate of Title
Volume 3789
Folio 757604
Edmund Henry Jenkin,
Arthur Ernest Gordon
Webb, Daniel McRorie
and Percy John King
546696
═══════════════
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The Baptist Union Incorporation Act 1930
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ENDNOTES
General Information
The The Baptist Union Incorporation Act 1930 was assented to on
24 December 1930 and came into operation on 24 December 1930.
Endnotes
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The Baptist Union Incorporation Act 1930
27
2. Table of Amendments
There are no amendments made to the The Baptist Union Incorporation
Act 1930 by Acts and subordinate instruments.
Endnotes
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The Baptist Union Incorporation Act 1930
28
3. Explanatory Details
No entries at date of publication.
Endnotes
Section 1 - The Baptist Union Incorporation Act 1930 - The Baptist Union Incorporation Act 1930 | Zoe