... In the death of Rev. Addison F. Purefoy of Wake Forest our denomination loses a singularly good, sweet spirited and quiet minister of the gospel. The unobtrusive manner of his life seemed to bespeak the peace of soul within. He was for this reason not as widely known as he might have been; but those who knew him loved him, and this is enough. As pastor his work was confined to country churches; these he served faithfully and well. Our readers may recall some occasional verses printed on our eighth page, signed "Valley". They were his; and did but speak the simple faith and tender love with which he regarded his Master. Death came suddenly, but found him in the harness, ready for the will of the Lord. BIBLICAL RECORDER, August 11, 1897, p. 2:5
A. F. PUREFOY... As we go to press, the sad news reaches us that Rev. A. F. Purefoy of Wake Forest died suddenly of apoplexy about 3 o'clock Monday morning, Aug. 2nd, 1897. On the preceding Sunday afternoon he had a hot drive to Flat Rock church, in Franklin county, where he preached the funeral of an old lady. Years ago he was pastor of that church. The burial took place at 9 o'clock Tuesday morning. BIBLICAL RECORDER, August 4, 1897, p. 2:5
REV. A. F. PUREFOY OF WAKE FOREST This faithful minister of the gospel was suddenly called to his reward on the 2nd day of August, 1897. The afternoon of the day before, he was called out to Flat Rock church, eight miles from Wake Forest, to conduct a funeral sermon, and returned the same evening, and that night he quietly passed away. Though he had been very feeble for some time, no one suspected that death was near. Bro. Purefoy was born in September, 1832. He professed religion and joined the church at Wake Union when eleven years old. From the first till the very last moment, so far as his friends knew, he never doubted his con version. His faith in the Word of God was wholly unshaken. To him it was indeed the impregnible rock. He was a man of prayer, and when he asked anything of God he believed that he was heard, and that the answer came in the way that was best for him; thought the special blessing asked for was withheld, it was the best that it should be so, and that the grace enabling him to submit and to bear was the most gracious answer. Hence his spirit of resignation to the Divine will was unsurpassed by that of anyone known to the writer. Soon after his conversion Bro. Purefoy began to do Christian work. He graduated at Wake Forest in 1857, and was ordained by Wake Forest church sometime thereafter. His chief work was that of winning so~ls to Christ, and his talent for personal work was equaled by that of very few. He was a sound safe gospel preacher, and a very wise pastor. He established the church at Woodland, and served as pastor at different times, Flat Rock, Brassfields, New Hope, Poplar Spring, and Rolesville churches. Failing in business several years ago, he labored to pay his debts with a consuming desire that made him willing to sacrifice anything and even his health and life. (continued next page)
A. F. PUREFOY - 2 Death came upon him as a thief in the night, but found him ready. He went gladly to enter higher service. W.R.G. BIBLICAL RECORDER, September 29, 1897, page 3:2
NAME Addison Foster b.,!»: -1. '2 d, Ancestry.:ake \J o. v.jfc, 45-57 AB, 1855 Ord. 1858 VFC b. d. Ancestry Record ~(!_. Minister 1.F. see WF Alumni Catalogue File No. (Over)