An Important Decision by Editor

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Dec 5, 1878

An Important Decision.

By Editor

A WILL was recently contested in San Francisco, one provision of which was as follows: "I give and bequeath to the Colored Episcopal Church of the city and county of San Francisco, the sum of $400." The Court held that

"By the law of this State, no religious corporation, body, or society can take, under a will. [Civil Code, Sec. 1275.] Therefore the clauses of the will attempting to give property to the Church, are void."

Let this be noted. All gifts to religious corporations of any kind must be conferred within the life-time of the giver. We cheerfully "accept the situation." We think it is much the best plan, if not too long neglected.