Roper v. Burke

CLOPTON, J. — The former appeal in this case was taken from a decree of the chancellor overruling a demurrer to the bill. As to the “Relief Treasury of the Stone Street Baptist Church,” the bill substantially alleged, that it was a distinct organization, not subject to the control Or government of the church; that it had abandoned .its purposes, and ceased operations for about three years prior to the bringing of the suit; and that the accumulated fund was deposited, by agreement, for the mutual benefit of the contributors, without stipulation as to any particular disposition. On the allegations of the bill, which were taken as true on demurrer, we held that, the objects of the association having failed, the fund reverted to the donors, and that a court of equity had jurisdiction to distribute it among those entitled. The constitution of the association was not exhibited, and consequently was not before the court. As to the “New Relief Treasury of the Stone Street Baptist Church,” we held that, under the constitution, a copy of which was attached as an exhibit to the bill, its officers are confined to the “Deacon Board” of the church, subject to the restrictions’ and laws prescribed by the church — an organization within, incidental to, and controlled by the church; and as its operations had not ceased, nor its objects entirely failed, no member had the right to withdraw the amount contributed by him. Burke v. Roper, 79 Ala. 138. After the rem’andment of the cause, the bill was amended, so as to eliminate all claim to the distribution of the accu [195] nralatecl fund of the “New Belief Treasury,” the contention being thereafter confined to the right of complainants to have the fund of the “Belief Treasury” distributed. Testimony was taken, and the cause was then submitted for final decree on the pleadings and proof. An examined copy of the constitution was produced, and put in evidence. From the constitution it appears, that the “Belief Treasury” was organized srrbstantially on the same plan, and governed by the church in the same manner, as the “New Belief Treasury.” In other words, it also is an organization within, incidental to, and controlled by the church. The right of a member to withdraw the amount of the accumulated fund contributed by him, to have distribution thereof, falls within the rule declared on the former appeal in respect to the “New Belief Treasury.” Complainants are not entitled to the relief prayed, unless the proof establishes that the purposes of the association have been abandoned, its operations ceased, and its objects entirely failed. The testimony is in conflict, in material respects. - The evidence fails to satisfactorily establish, the burden of proof being on complainants, any agreement, when the new association was formed, that the purposes of the first association should be abandoned, and its operations cease, or that the accumulated fund should be preserved on deposit for the mutual benefit of the members, otherwise than as provided by the constitution. It is true the members have contributed nothing to the fund of .the first, since the organization of the second association; but the evidence shows that a portion of the fund on hand has been since used for proper purposes— the assistance of the sick, and the burying of deceased members. Hence, the operations of the association had not entirely ceased, nor its objects entirely failed, when the original bill was filed. It seems that a much larger amount of the money on deposit than thus used has been drawn, and what disposition was made of the excess is not shown. If there has been a perversion of the fund, a court of equity, on a proper bill, may prevent rinauthorized uses of the money, enjoin its proper appropriation, and hold the trustees to account for the amount perverted; but such perversion does not authorize a distribution of the fund among the members. Affirmed.