39 Kan. 615 | Kan. | 1888
The opinion of the court was delivered by
We think that the petition stated a cause' of action, and that the demurrer of the defendants should, have been overruled. The allegations of the petition are voluminous, and in some respects general and indefinite. However, it is averred substantially that when the building used by the congregation of the Christian church of Winfield, Kansas, was erected, no organ or other instrument of music was-used by that society in its worship, and that instrumental music has never been allowed or countenanced by that church in public worship, but has always been excluded on the ground! that it is harmful and sinful. Notwithstanding this, the defendants, some of whom assume to be trustees and deacons of the church, against the protest of a majority of the officers and a large number of the congregation, forcibly placed an organ in the church building, where it has since been kept and used in the religious services.
In the present state of the case, we are not required to consider the merits of this unfortunate controversy, whether, under the fundamental laws and usages of the society, instru
“ In such cases where there is a schism which leads to a separation into distinct and conflicting bodies, the rights of such bodies to the use of the property must be determined by the ordinary principles which govern voluntary associations. If the principle of government in such cases is that the majority rules, then the numerical majority of members must control the right to the use of the property. If there be within the congregation officers in whom are vested the powers of such control, then those who adhere to the acknowledged organism by which the body is governed, are entitled to the use of the property. The minority, in choosing to separate themselves into a distinct body and refusing to recognize the authority of the governing body, can claim no rights in the property from the fact that they had once been members of the church or congregation. This ruling admits of no inquiry into the existing religious opinions of those who comprise the legal or regular organization; for if such was permitted, a very small minority, without any officers of the church among them, might be found to be the only faithful supporters of the religious dogmas of the founders of the church. There being no such trust imposed upon the property when purchased or given, the court will not imply one for the purpose of expelling from its use those who by regular succession and order constitute the church, because they may have changed in some respects their views of the religious truth.”
We refrain from discussing the merits of the case in its present condition, as the questions concerning what are the established doctrines, laws and forms of worship in that church, how changes may be made in conformity to its rules, and with whom is the controlling power for the settlement of controversies when they arise, can be best considered and decided after the answer is filed and the proofs offered.
The only question raised by the demurrer is the sufficiency of the allegations of the petition, and this question having been decided in the affirmative, it follows that there must be a reversal of the judgment sustaining the demurrer.