Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-02-06

-Messrs. John w. Gordy and Otis
Rayne have opened general grocery
store in the storehouse which was built
by the late John ii. Shockley, on Bay
Street. and their advertisement appears
in the MESSENGER to-day. They will be
thankful for the patronage of the public.
Rev. j. A. Hopkins will preach in
the Christian Church tomorrow (Sun-
day. at IL o'clock A. M. and 7.30 p. NJ.
The Christian Church, of Snow Hill,
has been for long time without
settled pastor, and Rev. j. A. Hopkins.
who comes here from Bellaire. Ohio.
will take up the work for a time. He
will re-organize the Sunday-school and
will do all in his power to render the
Church prosperous and a power for good
in the community. Mr.. Hopkins has
record as a church worker and, with
his five brothers who have been assist
ing him, recently held great evan
gelistic meeting in the First Christian
Church, Wheeling, West Virginia. Rev.
Mr.. Hopkins was for seven years cor
responding secretary for the Christian
Church in Maryland. Delaware and the
District of Columbia. and has recently
closed pastorate of over three years
in Winston-S Salem, N. c.
Mr.. Sylvester +. Purnell, farmer
residing two miles from Wattsville,
Va, son of Mr.. George Purnell, of
Snow Hill. committed suicide Monday
night by shooting himself. death oc-
curing several hours later. In state
ment made shortly before his death he
assigned business troubles as the cause
of his act, but his friends say that he
has been Respondent ever since the loss
of his wife and only child not long ago.
Mr.. Purnell possessed an affectionate
nature and kind heart and the loss of
his family followed closely by financial
reverses is supposed to have upset his
mind. Mr.. Purnell was 30 years old, a
member of the firm of j. S. Gordy &
Bros, lumber dealers Of Painter, Va.
He killed himself at the home of ID. T.
Justice, near New Church, by blowing
out his brains witha 32-calibre revolver.
Mr.. Purnell had retired to the sitting
room after eating his noon meal and
lay upon lounge. About 4 o'clock in
the afternoon the family were startled
by hearing the sound of a pistol shot.
and on investigation found MIR. Purnell.
with the smoking revolver clutched in
his hand. lying on the floor.
Tomorrow, in the Presbyterian
Church of Snow Hill, will be celebrated
the 226th anniversary of the organi-
cation of that Church. The date of the
founding of the Church is also the tenth
anniversary of Rev. }. B. North's pas
torate. and both events will be COM
memorated by appropriate services. A
program has been arranged and several
hymns have been written suitable to
the occasion two by Mrs. M. M. North
and two by other composers. 1t is
hardly necessary for the MESSENGER to
give a historical sketch of Mackenzie
Memorial Presbyterian Church. We
long ago published such history by
the late Irving Spence, who was ruling
elder in the Church. by the late United
States Senator Ephraim X. Wilson, by
Rev. David Conway and others, at the
time of the erection of the present
magnificent edifice and subsequently
scholarly articles by other writer's. The
history of the Presbyterian Church of
Snow Hill is so well known that even
those of the rising generation are IA
miliar with the subject. However. we
would advise all who can to attend the
morning services in the Presbyterian
Church, assuring them that Mr.. North
will have some interesting and instruc-
tive matters to lay before them.