Sec. 4. Such defendants may resist such complaint by answer of nul-tiel record, and no other, as to the existence of the record, bond, execution, order of sale or other writ, or the returns thereon, or other paper sought to be reinstated; and upon the trial thereof, oral testimony shall be admitted, and strict proof of dates, sums and amounts, and actual entries and forms of record shall not be required on the trial of such issue; but the court shall, on such hearing, if the question is presented, determine, and in its record of reinstatement set forth, what satisfaction, in whole or in part, by payment or otherwise, has been made of any judgment or decree sought to be reinstated since the rendition thereof, and if, upon such hearing, such court shall be satisfied that the statements in such complaint are true, the court shall make an order reciting what was the substance and effect of such lost or destroyed record, bond, execution, order of sale or other writ, or the returns thereon, or other paper or part thereof, and what satisfaction, by payment or otherwise, in whole or in part, has been made of any judgment or decree so sought to be reinstated when that question is presented; which order shall be entered of record in said court and shall have the same force and effect that the original record would have had if the same had not been lost or destroyed, subject to any satisfaction found by the court.

Formerly: Acts 1881, c.30, s.4.