Bowie

The defendant is a corporation existing under the laws of this state, and belongs to the class known as mutual benefit associations. Uuder its constitution and laws it agrees to pay a stipulated sum of money to a designated nominee upon the death of the beneficiary member, and also issues to members known as “special benefit members” a certificate entitling them to receive an endowment, payable in installments during the life of such members. The defendant is without capital stock, and, like all associations of a similar character, *394 depends upon the collection from its members of certain fixed assessments in order to provide a fund for the payment of the certificates issued by it.

Upon February 15,1888, the defendant issued to the plaintiff a special benefit certificate of the sixth class, with ten coupons attached thereto, each providing for the payment of a sum not exceeding six hundred dollars, the first one maturing in June, 1891, and the tenth in the month of February, 1921; and by the terms of this certificate, the defendant agreed with plaintiff in effect that, should he live to the period of time set forth in each of the ten coupons attached thereto, he would be…