Answering Questions
A reader wants to know if there would be anything wrong in placing a restrictive clause in a deed to property owned by a congregation of the Lord's people.
No, there is nothing wrong in trying to protect the property that we own. However, no clause has ever been very effective in keeping property from being used in a way not intended by the original owners. The following clause was placed in a deed to property purchased by a group of Christians in a small town in Tennessee nearly fifty eight years ago.
"It is the object of those building this house to encourage and build up churches that will in all work worship use only what is ordered and required in the New Testament, rejecting all the inventions and devices of men, such as the use of an organ and other instruments of music in connection with the worship and of any societies other than the Church of Christ in carrying out the work of God. In the event of any division arising over these or other questions that may come up, the title of this property inheres to those, whether a majority or minority, who most rigidly adhere to the requirements of the New Testament." Deed Book No. 48, page 469, Registrar of Deeds, Paris, Henry County, Tenn.
It would seem from a casual reading of the above, that it would be sufficient to keep the property from being used for any purpose contrary to the teaching of the New Testament. Today, anyone who would speak out against some of the societies mentioned in that clause would not be welcome there. Yet, the original owners were opposed to "any societies" in carrying out the work of God."
There is several weak points in the above clause but it is probably about as strong as any that can be found. In the first place, someone has to have the courage to protest. When they are in the minority (where God's people have been since the days of Noah) most people don't have that kind of courage. Since those who favor innovations are usually in the majority, they have always been quick to go to the law. They know that the jury will likely be made up of people who are guilty of innovations similar to their own.
There is a lesson here for Christians everywhere. Before investing a large sum in a meeting house it would be well to study the matter in the light of history and of the New Testament. Did not Jesus say "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth", "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven", "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matt. 6:19-21.
When Christians do acquire necessary property I would still advise them to place restrictive clauses in the deed. Then years later when some innovator says "the people who meet here have always done it this way," then perhaps some courageous soul will point to the clause in the deed and show him that he don't know what he is talking about.
-Box 352, Lynn Grove, Kentucky.