Voice of the People

The Voice of The People VOL. I. FIVE AGENTS OF A BUSINESS BRANCH By V. OVERSTREET We are yet on the job says Mr. Chapman and we can give you another policy or lend you a duster to dust up that old one. This applies to those whose policies are lapsed. He says that he can revive it for you absolutely. Mr. R. B. Reed is out of town on business. He did not carry his car, so we are looking to see him back today. Mr. L. R. Houston is yet on the job his eyes are open and are sparkling with a new idea. He has ceased to sing, but whistling the same music. Mr. Albert James made his report with us Wednesday. He had a swelled one and says that he can do better. He is the best agent in Ovett, and in that land which flows with wisdom and knowledge I know he can do good. I have lost my voice this week and for that reason, I have nothing to say, yet Mr. Lenoir is here and he says, Hay! Hay! or Howdy! We are always glad to serve you as agents and tell you anything about insurance you'd like to know: We are here to let you know we are here, so you will miss us when we are gone. THE NATIONAL BENEFIT LIFE INSURANCE CO. Laurel, Miss. REVIVAL A great revival and soul-saving campaign started at Queen's Chapel Baptist church with a large crowd and a good spirit. It is increasing every night in both crowd and spirit. Brother Gray is conducting services, and in his usual enthusiastic manner with his motto: "I come as an enemy to sin." All things working well, it is hoped to run the revival until Friday night, July 30. SICK LIST Mesdames Mary J. King, Annie Bell Ducksworth, Messers Ed. Ford. Henry Williams and little Jessie Price, and Miss Drucile Reid. LAUREL, MISS., JULY 26, 1926. Quarterly Conference The quarterly conference of the M. E. Church is in session at Ellisville. A large delegation is expected. A LARGE GROUP HEARD THE EVANGELIST LAST SUNDAY Hopewell Baptist church witnessed a spiritual feast last Sunday. Rev. J. J. Jarnerson, the detouring evangelist, preached a soul-stirring sermon at eleven o'clock. Subject, "Let Us Go Back Home Another Way." There was much joy manifested when he sounded the keynote "Not enough religion in the home, too many street and church angels in the church today, and when they are at home not anything but a home or house devil." "You need more real Christians; your family wants you to lift the charge, and God wants your heart changed. Turn from sin and evil and go back home another way." "You may fool some folks, but you cannot fool God." The evangelist will preach at Allen Chapel A. M. E. church at 11 o'clock, Sunday, July 25, 1926. BASEBALL Saturday, July 17.—Wausau Southern 6; Tallyhala Hardhitters (Curry Settlement) 3. We regret that Miss Gladys White of Hattiesburg could not be the guest of Miss Ethel Craft as planned. However, Miss Craft went down Thursday and returned on 42 with Miss White who was on her way to Ohio. Mr. Byrd, an old settler of Queensburg, is seriously ill as a result of blood poisoning from a somewhat chronic sore on his leg. His case is reported very grave. Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Thigpen, 429 So. 5th Avenue, gave a brilliant party in honor of Mr. T. W. Fisher, formerly of this city. All present seemed to have enjoyed themselves. Mr. Fisher says that the home breeze agrees with him. J. C. SMITH ATTORNEY AT LAW Dennis Building, Laurel, Miss. NO. 20 Great Revival at Meridian, Mississippi Rev. Coleman W. Kerry who has been conducting a meeting here will close Sunday night, July 25, 1926. CONTEST TO PASTORS AND MEMBERS OF VARIOUS CHURCHES The fight is on. The voting proposition seemed to be enjoyed by all. They are coming from every direction to help their pastor win that suit. Three prizes to be given away to the churches that raise the highest amounts. First prize. a suit of clothes; 2nd prize, a pair of shoes; 3rd prize, a genuine panama hat. When you buy do not forget to vote. Try to put your pastor over the top, by buying your groceries, etc., from Jno. H. Smith and see that x is marked behind your pastor's name. The ballot is good for one vote. The ballot will not be counted if more than one name has an x. Vote for any church you wish and do not forget to put an x behind. Vote for any of these churches: Union aptist, the Rev. Williams, pastor; Providence Baptist, the Rev. Wheeler; Mallieu M. E., the Rev. Roberts; Allen Chapel, A. M. E., the Rev. Brown; Pleasant Valley Baptist, the Rev. J. T. Flynn; East Jerusalem Baptist, the Rev. J. J. Overstreet, Second Baptist, Rev. O. W. Jones, St. Paul, Rev. J. S. Williams; St. Elmo, Rev. . Carter; Cook Chapel, Rev. L. K. Owens; Wesley Chapel, the Rev. Emerson. Come down to the busy corner and help put over the program. WIGGINS, MISS.,—Mr. H. Dean will leave Thursday, July 29th, for Chicago to visit his daughter. Mrs. Jno. Blalock and her young son Frank, also her mother, Mrs. Julia Love and little Julia Mae Walker, left Friday night, July 23rd, for East Saint Louis, Ill., from whence they will visit their brother and son in Pittsburgh, Pa. They expect to be away severay weeks. Great interest centers in their travels and a lovely summer is predicted for them. PAGE TWO The Voice of The People Published Weekly at Laurel, Mississippi. Office Over Laurel Drug Store. G. H. CLARK Editor H. L. POLK Associate Editor W. L. McWillie Associate Editor MISS RACHEL SMITH Circulation Mgr. P. A. CHRISTIAN Business Manager Write ups, ten cents a line, six words to the line—Ads, Subscription Rates: 25 Cents Per Month. RANDOM We talk about the jazz blues songs and everything else that attracts the human eye and rouses emotions of the people. Some people say these things should be discarded because they are detrimental more than helpful. If you look into the matter with a fair mind you will not agree with such statements. They forget that there is an advantage to every disadvantage whether visible or invisible. To treat any subject rightly one must look at it from both sides, the right and the wrong, intelligently, and bring in his decisions. We have no idea why men argue on little things they do not understand and try to put something before you to make you think they understand. The jazz and blues songs are all right in their places. They are pleasing to those who like them, and annoyance to those who do not like them. Therefore we should be careful how we speak about those particulars when your friends are wrapped up in them. The jazz has a meaning, also the blue songs. They speak words and paint pictures unknown and give relief to some thinking that the fancy is the real. They are detrimental to those who are not able to reason, and make the one leave his or her job when they hear the music. As I was walking through a certain community, I heard a man playing THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE the blues for a young woman who had lost her friend, she heard the evening train going down blowing very lonesome. She said "If I feel tomorrow like I feel today I'ze g'wine pack my rags and git er'way." This woman was feeling the same the next day and she packed (belongings) and crept away. leaving her little ones and so-called good husband behind. I'm not kicking or knocking the blues, but when they make an impression like that they are detrimental. When one is helped or receives information out of them they are helpful. Otherwise detrimental. Jazz is taking everything, not only in dance halls but churches as well. Everybody likes jazz. Even when a song is played in church without jazz the pastor will say there is no pep or life in the song. Jazz has meaning also, takes the bigger end of that fellow who follows the deal on down and fails to reason. Jazz makes helpful and non-helpful expressions, which in terms or return make impressions the same. It is all right if you know the meaning and can analyze and is able to judge and put things in actions after a brief summary of the details. Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Christian and son, Mrs. Franklin and children motored to Jackson last Sunday. Mrs. McInnis, mother and children motored to Hattiesburg last week. The juvenile band of St. Elmo Baptist church was royally entertained at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Chapman. Miss Mary Graves has returned from Bassfield, Miss., after spending a few days with relatives and friends. COMING Sam Morgan of New Orleans with his 8-piece jazz band, who appears at the Old Poolroom, August 4, 1926. WELCOME ST. ELMO BAPTIST Sunday School----9:30 A. M. Services first and third Sundays---- 11:00 A. M., 3 and 7:30 P. M. Prayer meeting, Wednesday night. Conference first Friday night in the month. Bible Class every Sunday afternoon. REV. N. CARTER, Pastor. M-U-S-I-C Vocal and Instrumental Music MRS. HATTIE V. McINNIS Phone 960-W—915 Meridian Avenue --- P. A. CHRISTIAN UNDERTAKER and EMBALMER 503 South 5th. Ave. LAUREL, MISS. Phone 199 "The Price of Funerals is a Matter of Your Own Choice." Motor Equipment—Out-of-Town Patronage Solicited. Office Phones 523-J, 523-W Home Phone 619 T. J. BARNES, M. D. PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Office Over Laurel Drug Store 426 Front Street Office Phone 523-J Home 563 H. L. BROWN, M. D. PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON 428 Front Street LAUREL, MISS. --- DR. E. A. PHILLIPS DENTIST 428 Front Street LAUREL, MISS. WHEN YOU NEED A CARPENTER SEE J. C. POPE First Class House Carpentering Building Repairing, Remodeling Screening, Paper Hanging and Painting. 1031 N.4th Avenue Laurel --- Muisngs by the Observer Ignorance begets poverty, and poverty crime. Of course that statement may start an argument, yet after very close observation I find it to be a fact, generally speaking. We remember that when Hosea was looking over the status of his people and saw the condition of them, saw that they were perishing, had gone into all sorts of deviations, he looked and lamented: "My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge." Ignorance will destroy anybody. The idea that brought this discussion to my mind was the old by-word that those of a lower order of intelligence always say Arrow Clothing Store No. 25 Incorporated OUTFITTERS FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY "Exclusive But Not Expensive" 415 Oak Street Opposite Y. W. C. A. --- Hardin's Barber Shop WELL EQUIPPED AND READY FOR BUSINESS Men's Hair Cut 35c Boy's Hair Cut 25c Shave 15c Massages 35c Shampoo 35c Hair straightened for men that will not burn or turn red, for first Treatment $1.00 Second Treatment .50 The late "Style Bobbed" for ladies a specialty. We will appriciate your patronage. NOTICE We do not serve regular meals, short only. Why not eat with JAKE? The best place in town for colored people. See our new menu: Hamburger 10 Ham & Eggs 25 Ham Sandwich 15 Steak (small) 20 Irish Stew 15 Weiners 20 Red Beans & Rice 10 Pork Chops 25 Liver 15 N. Bones 20 Eggs (2) 15 Sausage 20 AND TOBACCO, ETC. ICE CREAM, SOFT DRINKS, CIGARS --- THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE when they do ill and the rest of the world finds it out. Invariably they say: "I do no worse than Rev., Dr., Prof. or Hon. Jones' family do only they are sharp enough to keep it hid." Now that delusion is very prevalent indeed among the very common folk, and they are sincere when they say that. They really believe that. Their microcosm exists in a sphere where when a chance to be immoral, dishonest and consequently crime presents itself and they accept, and they believe it is human to be like that. They cannot conceive of the idea of a person having enough power of self resistance to overcome evil even when it presents itself. So they live from the old excuse, "they have sense enough to keep from getting caught." If he could reason at all, however, and really believe that, it seems to me that they are rather foolish not to prepare themselves so that they would not "get caught." That is what some try but they are always comprehended—always if they do not soon stop or die. It is just as true now as it was when Moses was trying to lead the Children of Israel into the promised land that "your sins will find you out." You may be sure of that. And be you aristrocrat or street cleaner, it holds. No sir, the reason you do not hear so much on the more substantial classes is because they are not guilty of as much. We stop clutching at that straw as we are destroyed because of our sins and lack of knowledge. Some point with glee at the front page articles where some prominent figures have acted dishonestly, or even, disgracefully. And they remind you of years back when Rev. Jones' son or daughter deviated from the paths of rectitude. But do you know why pearls and diamonds are so costly? They are so rare. Do you know why papers double their sales when scandal concerning some highly respected family is on the front page, or why bad rumors concerning some reliable family in a neighborhood are such good for topical digestion? They are so rare. Yes, we must have some better excuse for your misdeeds. My people are being destroyed for the lack of knowledge. They are starving, they are dying from diseases, they are dying in influence, being shoved in the background from the sheer lack of knowledge. "Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom, and in all they getting, get understanding. SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION NOW IN SESSION Messers D. H. Hair, Thigpen and Polk left Thursday to attend the Sunday School convention at Shubuta, Miss. CARD OF THANKS Mr. Gus Hardin wishes to thank friends, through the Voice people, for their kindness during his illness. Page Three ```markdown ``` FINE BROS. WE WANT YOU TO MAKE OUR STORE YOUR STORE THE HOME OF MODERATE PRICES FINE BROS. YOUR CREDIT IS GOOD WITH MARCUS FURNITURE COMPANY SEE US BEFORE YOU BUY 424 Front Street. Telephone 1064 THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK Capital and Surplus $350,000 Resources over $4,000,000 4 per cent paid on Saving Accounts Better start a savings account while you are earning. Save for a "Rainy Day." LAUREL, MISSISSIPPI "DRESSMAKING" Fashionable work, a specialty. Reasonable prices. See — Mrs. Laura Dantzler 1042-No. 4th. Ave. Laural Miss. WHAT DOES IT MEAN: It typifies the idea behind the GENERAL STORE. It means making one store do the work of four; one dollar do the work of three; one man do the work of two—and a consequent reduction in costs and enlargement of service and accomodation to the patrons of the general store. It means consolidation. It is a terse symbol and expression of the thought and trade genius of J. RUSH PAYNE General Merchandise Ablest and most powerful of all Laurel General Merchants. The merchant who serves more people, sells more goods than any other retailer in Laurel. We will soon have another large General Store on South Fourth avenue where we intend to serve the people of South Laurel the same as now serve the people of North Laurel from this store. TRADE AT: PAYNE'S GENERAL STORES It will mean reduced expenses to you. The reason: PAGE FOUR EARNEST BLAKLEY FINE TAILORING Cleaning, Pressing and Altering of All Kinds Neat Workmanship. Reasonable Prices. Goods called for and delivered promptly. 140 Elm Street Laurel, Miss. If it is help or work that you want, why worry yourself when the Chapman Employment Bureau is at your service? First class help and jobs furnished. Call on us. Chapman Employment Bureau 426 Front Street (upstairs Phone 523-W Laurel, Miss. J.C.Penney Co. DEPARTMENT STORES YOU KNOW WHERE VALUES ARE Every person who is acquanited with our Values knows how worthwhile they are. Folks who buy here regularly know and other folks know from their friends. You can't keep Good news back. --- N. C. Mutual Life Ins. Co. The largest Negro Life Ins. Co. in the world. Has the growth of the oak; the solidity of granite." VIGOR MASON, Agent LAUREL, MISS. FOR— Furniture—Victrolas AND— Musical Instruments SEE Laurel Furniture Company A. D. Peden, Manager Phone 297 408, Central Ave. Your Credit is Good U. S. McINNIS UNDERTAKER (Colored) (Colored) Licensed Embalmer Courtesy and Efficiency Guaranteed. Day and Night Service Phone 960-W 915 Meridian Ave. --- THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE Rev. S. J. Laws, one of Laurel's best talented ministers, pastor of Friendship Baptist church and Spring Hill Baptist church, Ellisville, has resigned the two, to accept the pastorate of Union Baptist, N. Warren St., Mobile, Ala. We hate to lose Dr. Laws, our loss is Mobile's gain. Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Christian and son, Mrs. Franklin and children motored to Jackson last Sunday. Uncle Bim cannot see the ball head rambler these days. He said he was going to stay in to keep them wondering about him. He is a cunning fellow. The average rambler cannot keep step with him. We are glad to know that Miss Drucile Reid, who has been ill after an operation for appendicitis, is recuperating. Mrs. Mary J. King is visiting her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. L. J. King on So. 4th Avenue. A large crowd was merrily entertained at the home of Mrs. Jennie Moore on So. 6th Avenue. ```markdown ``` A large crowd is leaving here Thursday Eve for Meridian, July 27, to hear E. Nelson Black Four. It typifies the idea behind the one store do the work of four; one does the work of two—and a consequent service and accomodation to the patr consolidation. It is a terse symbol and expressi LOCALS NOTICE A DOUBLE VOLUME? A powerful sermon was preached at Smith Chapel Sunday by Rev. J. M. Barnett and also a great H. B. A. turn out which was led by Prof. H. J. Green. Rev. and Mrs. Johnson of the city were present. Mrs. Amer Fergerson has been ill. Gladly let me read this in The Voice of The People. COME TO ALMON WATT'S 222 So. Pine Street The home of good Barbering Satisfaction Guaranteed Hand or Electric Service Ladies' Bobbing a Specialty Hair Cut 35c Shampoo 35c Shave 15c Massage 35c First Class Shoe Shine 10c Removal Notice After twelve year's service in my old location, I have moved my BARBER SHOP to a new location at E. Ninth street and Joe Wheeler avenue, near John Smith's brick Store. Your past patronage has been appreciated and I earnestly solicit a continuance of same. Alexander Williams GENERAL STORE. It means making dollar do the work of three; one man do reduction in costs and enlargement ofrons of the general store. It means on of the thought and trade genius of Laurel, Miss., R. F. D. 4. A SINGLE EXPENSE?