An ACT to incorporate the Southern Baptist Convention.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Georgia, in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same. That from and after the passing of this act, That William B. Johnson, Wilson Lumpkin, James B. Taylor, A. Docrey, R. B. C. Howell and others, their associates and successors, be and they are hereby incorporated and made a body politic by the name and style of the Southern Baptist Convention, with authority to receive, hold, possess, retain, and dispose of property, either real or personal, to sue and be sued, and to make all bylaws, rules, and regulations necessary to the transaction of their business, not inconsistent with the laws of this State or of the United States – said corporation being created for the purpose of eliciting, combining, and directing the energies of the Baptist denomination of Christians, for the propagation of the gospel, any law, usage, or custom to the contrary not withstanding.
[Signed:]
Charles J. Jenkins
Speaker of The House of Representatives
Absalom H. Chappell
President of the Senate
Approved, December 27th, 1845
Geo. W. Crawford
Governor
(Act 203, Georgia Archives RG 37-01-15 Enrolled Acts & Resolutions, Georgia Laws – 1845, Vol. 2-9838 Acts 98-228, pp. 428-431)