Blacks Law Dict. 1st ed

203

CHURCH

CIRCAR

who use A common discipline, or the build ing in which such persons habitually as semble for public worship. The body of communicants gathered into church vder, according to established usage in any town, parish, precinct, or religious fociety, established according to law, and actually'Connected and asso ciated therewith for religious purposes, for the time being, is to be regarded as the church of such society, as to all questions of property depending upon that relation. 10 Pick. 193. See, also, 3 Me. 247. A congregational church is a voluntary associa tion of Christians united for discipline and wor ship, connected with, and forming a part of, some religious society, having a legal existence. 8 Me. 918. In English ecclesiastical law. An institu tion established by the law of the land in reference to religion. 3 Steph. Gotnm. 54. The word "church" is said to mean, in strictness, not the material fabric, but the cure of souls and the right of tithes. 1 Mod. 201. CHURCH BUILDING ACTS. Stat utes passed in England in and since the year 1818, with the object of extending the ac commodation afforded by the national church, HO as to make it more commensurate with the wants of the people. 3 Steph. Comm. 152-164. CHURCH DISCIPLINE ACT. The statute 3 & 4 Viet. c. 86, containing regula tions for trying clerks in holy orders charged with offenses against ecclesiastical law, and for enforcing sentences pronounced in such cases. Phillim. Ecc. Law, 1314. CHURCH OF ENGLAND. The Church of England is a distinct branch of Christ's church, and is also an institution of the state, (see the first clause of Magna Charta,) of which the sovereign is the supreme head by act of parliament, (26 Hen. VIII. c. 1,) but in what sense is not agreed. The sov ereign must be a member of the church, and every subject is in theory a member. Whar ton. CHURCH RATE. In English law. A sum assessed for the repair of parochial churches by the representatives of the pa rishioners in vestry assembled. CHURCH REEVE. A church warden; an overseer of a church. Now obsolete. Co well. CHURCH-SCOT. In old English law. Customary obligations paid to the parish prisst; from which duties the religious some

times purchased an exemption for themselves and their tenants. CHURCH WARDENS. A species of ecclesiastical officers who are intrusted with the care and guardianship of the church build ing and property. These, with the rector and vestry, represent the parish in its corporate capacity. CHURCHESSET. In old English law. A certain portion or measure of wheat, an ciently paid to the church on St. Martin's day; and which, according to Fleta, was paid as well in the time of the Britons as of the English. Fleta, lib. 1, c. 47, § 28. CHURCHYARD. See CEMETERY. CHURL. In Saxon law. A freeman of inferior rank, chiefly employed in husbandry. 1 Reeve, Eng. Law, 5. A tenant at will of free condition, who held land from a thane, on condition of rents and services. Cowell. See CEORL. CI. Fr. So; here. Ci Dieiu vous eyde, so help you God. Ci devant, heretofore. Ci Men, as well. CIBARIA. Lat. In the civil law. Food; victuals. Dig. 34, 1. CINQUE PORTS. Five (now seven) ports or havens on the south-east coast of England, towards France, formerly esteemed the most important in the kingdom. They are Dover, Sandwich, Romney, Hastings, and Hythe, to which Winchelsea and Rye have been since added. They had similar franchises, in some respects, with the counties palatine, and particularly an exclusive jurisdiction, (before the mayor and jurats, corresponding to aldermen, of the ports,) in which the king's ordinary writ did not run. 3 Bl. Comm. 79. The 18 & 19 Viet. c. 48, (amended by 20 & 21 Viet. c. 1,) abolishes all jurisdiction and authority of the lord waiden of the Cinque Poits and constable of Dover Castle, in or lm relation to the administration of justice in actions, suits, or other civil proceedings at law or in equity. CIPPI. An old English law term for the stocks, an instrument in which the wrists or ankles of petty offenders were confined. CIRCADA. A tribute anciently paid to the bishop or archbishop for visiting churches. Du Fresne. CIRCAR. In Hindu law. Head of af fairs; the state or government; a grand di vision of a province; a headman. A name

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