Library

OF THE

University of NortK Carolina

This book was presented by

i;^, S6M-^W

Sii

This book must not
be taken from the
Library building.

THIS TITLE HAi

BEEN MICROFILMED

Form No. 471

AUGUSTUS SHEPARD

Rev. J. A. WHITTED, D.D,
Author

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
OF THE LIFE AND WORK

OF THE LATE

REV. AUGUSTUS SHEPARD, D. D.

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

By J. A. WHITTED
BIRMINGHAM, ALA.

Raleigh

Edwards & Broughton Printing Company

1912

Content£(

Page.

Preface 7

Childhood and youth 9

Dr. Shepard's home life 14

Dr. James E. Shepard 20

Dr. Charles Haddon Shepard 22

Augustus Shepard, student 24

Sunday School missionary and colporteur 32

Founder of Colored Orphan Asylum 36

Dr. Shepard as pastor 44

The end 55

White Rock Baptist church 62

Appreciation by Dr. C. F. Meserve 65

Tribute from Rev. S. N. Vass 67

3Uus;tration£{

The author frontispiece

Rev. Augustus Shepard, D.D Facing page 7

Dr. James E. Shepard " " 18

National Religious Training School .... " " 20

Dr. Charles H. Shepard " " 22

Colored Orphan Asylum " " 36

White Rock Baptist Church " " 50

Rev. AUGUSTUS SHEPARD, D.D.

(Taken 3 or 4 months before his death)

preface

While the hope and destiny of every indi-
vidual is wholly dependent on the Divine
Providence, yet God often uses individuals to
shape the life and character of others in such
a way they become a blessing to the world about
them, and their end, everlasting life.

The Gentile Apostle was stricken down on
his way to Damascus by the direct power of the
Almighty, but Ananias was God's agent in
pointing out to him the path in which he should
walk, and which finally led to the greatest mis-
sionary service the world has ever known.

'No man in i^orth Carolina of the past gen-
eration has done more to shape the lives of
young men of the race than did this man of
God, the late Dr. A. Shepard. The writer of
this sketch is one of that number whose life,
in the important part of the formative period,
was very fortunately brought under his influ-
ence, and as a mere pittance in return of his
indebtedness, and profound gratitude, this brief
sketch is written and dedicated to his lifelong
and affectionate companion, Mrs. Hattie E.
Shepard.

There are many scriptural truths which we
may not here and now comprehend; the ful-
fillment of which we see daily before our eyes.
That the ^'Potter hath power over the clay, of
the same lump to make one vessel unto honor
and another unto dishonor/' is one of these
scriptures. On the one hand we see individuals
born with millions in money at their command ;
rocked in the cradle of ease and refinement;
brought up under the tutelage of masters of
art and intellect, a ^^by-word and a hissing" to
the world about them, and sometimes a dis-
grace and a failure ; again we see others of the
humblest birth, enshrouded in adversity and
discouragement, who begin early in life to
climb the ladder, round by round, and ascend
through adversity and opposition, step by step,
until they reach the illustrious heights; em-
blazon the pages of history with their name
and fame, and like the ''Gentile Apostle" ''look
back on a life well spent" ere they enter their
blest abode in heaven. Such is the life, labors,
and end of Augustus Shepard.

10 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Just seventeen years before the immortal
Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclama-
tion, in the city of Raleigh, ^orth Carolina,
of Richard and Flora Shepard, both slaves,
was born Augustus Shepard. A great man was
once asked the secret of his greatness, his im-
mediate and proverbial r.eply was, ^'I was born
right." By that he meant he was the son of
an honest parentage. Such might be truly
said of the illustrious character of the sketch-
Richard and Flora w^ore the manacles of slav-
ery, but never a more honest and upright pair
lived. Although deprived of the learning
which has its place in shaping the lives of chil-
dren in the home, yet they so fully possessed
a character without stain, and a confidence in
their Heavenly Father, they were enabled to
hand down to their posterity that which will
live when glittering gold becomes '^sordid dust."

Of this union there were seven children, but
like Joseph, in the family of Jacob, Augustus
outstripped them all in the race of life. It is but
just to say that all of them were honest and
upright, and bore marks of piety and religious
life. Robert, along the line of orphan work
especially, has distinguished himself; and Sal-

REV, AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 11

lie along the line of missionary work. Although
Augustus was third in point of years, he was
the first to make peace with God. At the age
of twenty, one Sunday afternoon in the year
1866, in the midst of the usual family devotion,
Augustus proclaimed faith in God. This con-
version was the beginning of the first great re-
vival in Raleigh after the close of the Civil War.
The whole city of Raleigh seemed to catch on
fire with the Holy Spirit, and great revivals
were held among the whites as well as the col-
ored people. It did not stop in Raleigh, but re-
vivals spread throughout the entire State.
Around this same family altar, one after an-
other of the children in rapid succession, until
they all professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Although themselves unlettered, these parents
of this humble home realized fully the worth of
the soul, and in the salvation of their house;
and God abundantly answered their prayers.

In April of the same year Augustus was bap-
tized by Rev. William Warrick, the first col-
ored Baptist preacher in Raleigh. His filial
obedience, his fraternal disposition, made him
the favorite, not only of his parents, but of the
entire household. In the smallest detail the

12 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

wishes of Augustus found a ready response ; not
only while the family remained around the
same hearthstone, but even after they had reach-
ed the years of maturity and had separated ; and
even until the death of this illustrious son and
brother. A splendid demonstration of this fav-
oritism was seen in the untold sacrifices that
each made for the advancement of ''Gus," as
they loved to call him. When he made known
his call to the Gospel ministry, Robert, his sec-
ond brother, remained at home with his father
and labored faithfully that he might keep his
brother in school and fit him for his exalted
calling.

He was not only held in high esteem by his
immediate family, but by all who knew him,
colored and white. It was his piety and manli-
ness and unusual goodness that won him the
place of esteem in which he was held in all the
years of his after life. His former master, Mr.
Manly, who was at one time Governor of l^orth
Carolina, had such implicit confidence in his
religious character and fidelity, when on his
death bed he sent for Augustus, his former
slave, to come and offer prayer in his behalf.
He went to this bedside with that earnest ex-

REV. AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 13

pression which was characteristic of him, and
offered a prayer fervent and effective; the most
profound impression was made on his former
master, and he left him bathed in tears.

^ While Augustus was pious and of a godly
life, his home life did much to shape him and
make him the man he was. He was never ad-
dicted to any vicious or filthy habit; and al-
though he had grace, he also had what we call
"grit,'' and whenever it became imperative, like
the Christ, the ^^lion" could be seen in him, as
well as the lamb. This was exhibited on one
occasion during the days of slavery, when he
was but eighteen years of age, when an inhu-
man overseer employed by Mr. Manly under-
took to brutally beat him into submission; with
all the force at his command, he resented it,
broke away from this cruel and inhuman over-
seer, and, like Paul ^^appealed to Caesar," he
appealed to his master; it was doubtless this
brave stand for justice and fair treatment that
gave him the exalted place he held in the es-
teem of Governor Manly.

We have mentioned the devotion in which
Augustus was held by his parents and others of
Uie family. It is just to say that this esteem

14 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

was mutual and fully reciprocated, and never
a more loving family than this existed. In
turn the parents were each laid away to rest;
the family group was broken up, and the Shep-
ard children separated to form families of their
own. But to the day of his death, whenever an
opportunity presented itself, manifestations of
affection and esteem were exhibited one toward
the other; and ere Augustus ''fell on sleep,"
each of the four remaining members of this
family were at his bedside, to wipe the sweat
drops from his fevered brow and whisper words
of prayer in behalf of his departing soul. Each
was there to witness the last sad but impressive
rites over his remains ; not to weep as those who
have no faith, but rather to rejoice for his mul-
tiplied achievements, for his splendid victory,
and for the blessed assurance that he had gone
to strengthen the family gTOup in Heaven.

ISr. ^f)eparb*£f J|ome Hiit

While serving as pastor of the Baptist church
at Hillsboro, [N'orth Carolina, Dr. Shepard met
Miss Hattie E. Whitted, a young woman of
sterling character and a devout Christian, whom

REV. AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 15

he courted and married in the year 1875, Kev.
Grooms of Greensboro, ^N". G., officiating.

This union bore every evidence of Divine
formation, and was abundantly blessed. Actu-
ated by mutual interest and love, it made its
impress upon humanity and became like all such
unions, a blessing to mankind and a glory to
our Heavenly Father. The quantity and qual-
ity of its offspring was an emphatic expression
of God's approval and blessing. They lived
happily together for thirty-six years and nine
months. These years were joyfully spent, and
hence were fleeting. Every one who came into
that home felt at once its benigTi influences;
aglow as it was with "sunshine and song," and
with mottoes here and there upon the walls
bearing scriptural texts, w^hich were unmistak-
able evidence that the Word of God had a con-
stant place in their lives and practices. Every
one who entered this home was deeply impressed
at the scriptural rule, and that was the rule and
guide of this home. 'No day had duties too
numerous, or tasks too arduous, for family de-
votion. Many have wondered why such un-
bounded success has come to the children of this
family; the answer lies in the consecrated life

16 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

of both father and mother and their devotion to
duty, which was the answer of a life of faithful
service and prayer.

There were twelve children born to bless this
home. Four of these passed into the blessed be-
yond in early childhood, many years ahead of
this kind and loving father. Eight still survive
him — three sons and five daughters. The best
proof of the sincerity of this home is seen in the
fact that each and all of these eight children
professed a hope in Christ, and were baptized of
their father, before they reached the age of
thirteen years. If any one of these children is
not thoroughly familiar w^ith the teachings of
the Bible, it is no fault of the father. As each
became capable of reading and understanding
the Scriptures, a splendid copy of the Bible was
presented to him, and the constant admonition,
and in some instances compulsion, to read so
much of the Scriptures each day. The exten-
sive teaching that children must of necessity sow
some ^^wild oats," was false in the opinion of
this father, and instead he let no opportunity
pass to place in their hands the "golden grain"
for early sowing that they might reap a golden
harvest in after years, and in eternity. How

BEV. AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 17

abundantly successful he was in this course,
which is not of everyday occurrence, is seen in
the phenomenal lives of his two elder sons and
other children of this Christian home.

No parent was ever fonder of his children,
and milder in his dealings with them, than was
Dr. Shepard: but he himself had been trained
in the old school, and when mild and gentle
persuasion failed to accomplish the desired end,
he turned with decision to the rod of correction,
and laid it on with such force and precision the
child soon realized the wisdom of falling in line.
This, too, accounts for his success with his
children.

'No husband or father ever did more for the
comfort and support, and even joy of his fam-
ily. ^Not once, but always and everywhere were
his offerings like the widow's mite, "all the liv-
ing'' that he had. What he did not give his
family, is what he did not have; what he did
not teach them, is what he did not know himself.
Such sowing must of necessity bring a golden
harvest to any home. As beneficent as he was
to his family, he was not less beneficent to the
world about him. Like Job, he could say, "If
I have seen any perish for want of clothing; or
2

18 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

any poor without covering ; if his loins have not
blessed me, and if he was not warmed with the
fleece of my sheep ; if I have lifted up my hand
against the fatherless, when I saw my help in
the gate ; then let mine arm fall from my shoul-
der blade and mine arm be broken from the
bone." He fully realized that "a prudent wife
is from the Lord/' and that "children are an
heritage from the Lord." Like unto few men,
he entered earnestly into the smallest details to
set them an example or to give them pleasure.
ISTo greater tribute was paid him than at the
obsequies held over his remains, by a distin-
guished churchman, fellow-citizen and neighbor,
who said, "He looked after the comfort of his
family, even to the detail of picking up chips
with which to kindle fires." And another said,
who was associated with him for forty years,
"The life of this man of God was so chaste, so
pious, so calm and considerate under the most
trying circumstances, that the very air through
which he passed seemed changed because of his
presence." Such a life not only contributed to
the benefits of his immediate family, but like
the gentle raindrops, or the glorious sunshine,
all about him realized the benign influence of

Rev. JAMES E. SHEPARD, D.D.

REV, AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 19

his genial life. The old and decrepit could al-
ways hear from his lips a word of cheer; the
wayward and wandering, a word of admonition
and warning; the outcast and dejected, a word
of hope and encouragement.

JSTot until the ''final consummation" shall bear
testimony, will it be known what this ''father
in Israel" was to humanity in general in its
uplift. Such men are not intended to carry
large bank accounts; such men make no great
material provision for his posterity, but his
greatness is demonstrated, his monument is
erected in the lives and characters of those who
are so fortunate to come in contact with him;
and his heritage consists of an untarnished
name, a life of noble sacrifices and deeds. He
did, however, leave his family a lovely home,
hallowed with his prayers and benedictions. He
saw his three oldest children comfortably situ-
ated in their own homes, and like Jacob of old,
one of the last pleasures of earth was to lay his
hand upon the heads of, not only his children
but his grandchildren, and pronounce the bene-
diction, ere he passed to join the ranks of those
who had gone before him.

That we may illustrate the fruitfulness of

20 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

his family life, we have attached a sketch of
the two eldest sons.

STames; €. ^fteparb, B. B,

James E. Shepard, the eldest son of the late
Rev. Augustus Shepard, D.D., was born in the
city of Raleigh, X. C, on the third day of ]^o-
vember, 1875. When eight years of age hq
entered the Model Department of Shaw Uni-
versity, where he remained for two years. Af-
terward, when his parents moved to Henderson,
he entered the Shiloh Institute, Warrenton,
^N". C, then under the principalship of his uncle.
Later he entered the Pharmaceutical Depart-
ment of Shaw University. He graduated from
this department in 1894. He was one of the
first colored druggists in the State of !N'orth
Carolina, and engaged in the drug business in
the cities of Charlotte and Durham, N. C, and
Danville, Ya. In 1897 he was appointed chief
clerk in the Recorder of Deeds office in Wash-
ington, D. C, and a year later Deputy Collector
of Internal Revenue at Raleigh, IST. C, which
position he held for several years. It was while
holding this position that the Executive Com-
mittee of the International Sunday School As-

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REV. AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 21

sociation selected him as Field Superintendent
of work among colored people, with the South-
ern States as his territory. His work was to
improve Sunday Schools in management, meth-
ods, and equipment ; and to endeavor to bring
the denominations into a closer understanding
for cooperation to uplift the race. His efforts
along these lines were very successful, as is at-
tested by the different denominational conven-
tions which meet annually in the several States.
He was also founder of the E'orth Carolina
Mutual Insurance Company.

Seeing that the need of the ^egro race was
for trained leaders, he conceived the idea of
establishing the ISTational Religious Training
School. On April 1, 1910, the first tree was
cut on the land donated by the white citizens of
Durham, 'N. C. April, 1912, there are ten
buildings, valued at $125,000, with students
from several States, Africa, and the West In-
dies. This school has been phenomenal in its
growth and development, and has the promise
of a splendid future. As a mark of the esteem
in which he is held, the following appeared in
the papers of June 26, 1912:

22 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

"Muskingum College, Ohio, has conferred the degree
of 'Doctor of Divinity' upon Dr. James E. Shepard, the
popular president of the National Religious Training
School, Durham, N. C.

"While Muskingum is one of the smaller colleges,
it is regarded as one of the truly great colleges of the
country. It has sent out a host of notable men, who
have made their impress upon the intellectual life of
the nation and whose constructive labors have done much
to advance the general good. Among the alumni of this
college may be mentioned the late President Harper, of
the Chicago University; Dr. Moorehead, dean of the
Xenia Theological Seminar}^; Dr. Lawrence, Mr. Bryan's
pastor; Dr. McClenahan, pastor of the wealthiest Pres-
byterian church in Pittsburgh; and a host of others. It
boasts of the fact that 55 per cent of the male gradu-
ates of this college are either in the ministry or the
missionary work of the world.

"Dr. Shepard is the only colored man to be honored
with a degree at the hands of Muskingum College, and
the vote in the faculty was unanimous."

Br. Cfjarlesf J^nbbon ^fjepatb

Dr. A. Shepard had. such a profound rever-
ence and esteem for an able ministry, he named
his second son Charles Haddon, for the great
London divine, Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He
was born in Kaleigh, N. C, November 21, 1876.
He attended the public schools of Ealeigh, the
Shiloh Institute of Warrenton, xsT. C, and Shaw
University, Raleigh, N. C. He graduated from

Dr. CHARLES H. SHEPARD

REV. AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 23

the Medical Department of Shaw University in
1901, passed the State Medical Board of North
Carolina in June of the same year. He located
in Durham, N. C, and at once took front rank
as physician and surgeon; he has the largest
practice of any colored physician in Durham.
He has contributed several scientific articles to
the medical journals of the country; one of
which, entitled ^The Effects of Ergoapiol in
Female Diseases/' was reproduced in one of the
medical journals of Great Britain. He was the
first colored physician in North Carolina to per-
form abdominal operations successfully. His
first operation of this kind was performed at
the age of twenty-two.

He is a member of the State and National
Medical Associations, and has been prominently-
mentioned as president of the National Medical
Association. He is president of the Bull City
Drug Company, vice-president of the Board of
Trustees of Lincoln Hospital, located at Dur-
ham, N. C. ; director of the Farmers and Me-
chanics Bank, member of Board of Trustees of
Naiional Religious Training School, practicing
physician, and instructor of physiology for this
in5titution, medical director of the American-

24 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Carolina Mutual Insurance Company, and a
prominent member of the White Rock Baptist
Church, of which his father was pastor until
his death.

These two sons, ranking high in the profes-
sional world, was the pride of their distinguished
father in his declining years. It was often said,
if Dr. Shepard had done no more than give these
two eminent sons to the world, it would be worth
his own existence.

^ugugtug ^Ibeparb, ^tubent

As nearly as we can ascertain, Augustus Shep-
ard entered the Baptist Institute (or Tupper's
School), now Shaw University, Raleigh, ^. C,
in 1869. The school then was in its infancy,
and was conducted in the upper story of the
Blount Street Baptist Church (or Tupper's
Church). This church was located at the corner
of Blount and Cabarrus streets, and is now
known as the "Tupper Memorial Church." At
this time the boarding students occupied rooms
in the same building, at the rear end of the
church. They boarded in a shed room on a lot
adjoining the home of President Tupper — at
that time outside the southern limits of the

BEV. AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 25

city, on the Smithfield road. President Tap-
per's house consisted of two rooms, with two
additional shed rooms attached, four rooms
in all.

In this early and crude condition of the
school, no pupil had a greater influence in the
school, nor with the president, than did Au-
gustus Shepard. An incident occurred in the
fall of 1870 that gave evidence of this fact.
President Tupper, burdened with poverty and
laboring under many disadvantages for proper
facilities for such a school as he hoped to estab-
lish, decided to write to a wealthy friend in the
l!^orth and ask for a donation of $10,000. As
was his custom ever afterward, when a special
effort was to be made to secure funds, he asked
the student body to unite with him in prayer
that God might touch the heart of his friend,
and that the money might be forthcoming. Au-
gustus Shepard was appointed by the student
body to conduct this special service of prayer
for this donation. Said one of the students who
was present in this meeting, "All present were
convinced that Augustus Shepard, then young
in years, was strong in faith and deeply spirit-
ual." This meeting had the desired effect.

26 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

"These effectual fervent prayers availed mucli,"
the donation was granted, and the foundation
for Shaw University was laid.

It is needless to say that of all such meetings,
while he was a student, he was called on to lead
them. Another student, who has since risen to
eminence in his Alma Mater, said of Mr. Shep-
ard: ''His talks in these prayer meetings made
a deep impression upon the student body; some
of the passages he used to quote are fresh in my
mind today. Brother Shepard was a quiet, dig-
nified young man ; and although he had the ap-
pearance of a big boy, any one could see upon
his countenance distinctive expressions of Chris-
tian piety. And notwithstanding he seemed
much reserved, he always took an active part in
religious meetings, and always impressed me as
a man born of the Spirit, filled with the Spirit,
and led by the Spirit." And still another said
of him : ''He impressed me as a young man of
unusual ability. A robust physique, strong,
heavy voice, but of a congenial disposition, and
deep Christian piety. As I became better ac-
quainted with him, I found that he not only
possessed those natural traits of character, but

REV. AUGUSTUS SHEPABD 27

was a man possessing unusual spirituality, in
consequence of his living near God."

As a natural sequence, life upon the student
body, when the time came for the season of re-
vival meetings in the institution, Augustus Shep-
ard was selected to conduct these meetings.
Great showers of blessings came as a result of
these meetings, and the foundation was laid not
merely for intellectual training, but for Chris-
tian education. Hundreds went out of the in-
stitution converted to God, with words of praise
for the direct or indirect influence of this young
man, clothed with unusual spiritual power, and
especially adapted to the work of soul saving.

As usual in such institutions, there are other
places of trust and confidence. Mr. Shepard
had that esteem of the president, he was the first
one called on to fill these places. The Bible
teaches that there will be an accurate account of
all things in ^'the judgment," whether they be
^'good or evil" ; not until the day of reckoning
will it ever be known the severe trials Rev. H.
M. Tupper, president of Shaw University, was
called upon to endure in this dark period. When
it became evident that this ITegro institution
was established to live, develop and grow, ene-

28 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

mies multiplied on every side; these were not
only among the whites, but Negroes were used
as tools; and every imaginable mischief was
devised to dethrone Mr. Tupper and ruin the
institution. A long and tedious lawsuit ensued ;
the day was dark, the clouds were so threatening,
despite the iron will and the great determina-
tion of the founder of Shaw University, it
looked as if the enemy would triumph. Even
some of the individuals who had received in-
struction at the hands of Mr. Tupper, turned
away and held with firm grip the strong arm
of the oppressor. At such a time a man of
small calibre would either be hushed into si-
lence, or run away and leave the guns to the
enemy ; but Augustus Shepard was not that man.
In the thickest of the fight he stood by his com-
mander. His gTatitude was too well founded
to yield. His sense of justice and right held
superior place in his manly heart ; his faith and
trust in God was well founded.

When he was accosted by the other side and
was told, ''If you turn Tupper loose, he will
either die or be forced to give up and go back
ISTorth, like Martin Luther before the Diet of
Worms." In reply he said, ''I had rather die

REV. AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 29

on the side of right than live on the side of
wrong; and I shall stand by Mr. Tupper and
the blessed cause of ]S[egro education, which he
has so nobly espoused." Doubtless the truth
was told even by these wicked men, for no single
individual at this time could contribute half so
much to the support and encouragement of the
founder of Shaw University as could Augustus
Shepard. The battle did not cease on Southern
soil, but finally was w^aged at headquarters —
'New York City. The attack was made person-
ally, and the destiny of Mr. Tupper was in an
even balance. Then Mr. Shepard came out
boldly in behalf of his teacher and friend, and
the balances were immediately changed in his
favor, and Mr. Tupper remained at the head of
Shaw. In all the after years that followed in
the lives of these two great men, they had the
highest confidence, respect, and love for each
other.

At that time visitors began to flock down to
Shaw University from the N'orth. Rev. Shep-
ard was always the first to be called upon for a
declamation, or an address, in the presence of
these visitors.

A more effective plan for reaching N^orthern

30 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

friends was decided upon by Rev. Tupper, and
a company of Shaw Jubilee Singers were pre-
pared and sent throughout the JN'orth each year to
raise funds for the Institution, and to give some
evidence of the character of the work being done
at the University. Rev. Augustus Shepard was
always appointed to introduce the Jubilee Sing-
ers, and on occasions he would deliver sermons
and addresses. He spoke in many of the prin-
cipal churches throughout the New England
States ; and while the plantation melodies and
other songs given were a rarity in the JSTew Eng-
land States, they were not more inspiring and
helpful than these sermons and addresses of
Rev. Shepard.

When the work of teaching and preaching be-
came too arduous for Rev. Tupper, it was neces-
sary that an associate pastor be called to Blount
Street Church. Rev. Shepard was recommended
and elected associate pastor to Rev. Tupper.
In 1880 he graduated from the Theological De-
partment of Shaw University, with degree of
B.S. He was the second man to receive the
honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from his
Alma Mater.

When the American Baptist Publication So-

REV, AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 31

cietj of Philadelphia, Pa., decided to appoint a
General Sunday School Missionary and Colpor-
teur for Xorth Carolina, they appealed to Rev.
Tupper to make a recommendation. In his esti-
mation, no man was found so thoroughly pre-
pared; and without hesitation he gave his un-
qualified endorsement of Rev. Shepard for the
position. His untiring service ; the influence he
exerted in ITorth Carolina in this capacity; the
many thousands who were brought to a saving
knowledge of Christ, through the Sunday
Schools and churches throughout the State,
which he established; the work in general with
its splendid results; proved the wisdom of this
selection. Amid the haloes of his companions,
strong, bold, defiant, he leaves the institution
and enters earnestly and anxiously the service.
An instance not so common in the lives of
men is, that twice he was called to the pastorate
of the same church. He was first called to
Blount Street Church as an associate of Rev.
Tupper, and several years later as pastor in
charge. While serving in this capacity, he was
appointed by Dr. C. F. Meserve, successor to
Dr. Tupper, assistant professor in the Theo-
logical Department of Shaw University.

32 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

^unbap Retool Mi^^vanwcv anb Colporteur

The fact has already been mentioned that in
1875 Dr. A. Shepard, at the suggestion and
recommendation of Dr. H. M. Tupper, was
appointed Sunday School Missionary and Col-
porteur for !N^orth Carolina, for the American
Baptist Publication Society. At the very be-
ginning of his career, the greatest opportunity
was afforded him to carry out the spirit of the
"great commission.'' Everything, so far as
church work among colored Baptists of E'orth
Carolina was concerned, was in a crude state.
There were a comparatively few men with any
degree of intellectual ability, and the field was
ripe for a great harvest. IxTo man in the State
was so fully capable of the work at this time as
was Eev. Shepard.

Fresh from college, accustomed to physical
toil, robust and strong, commanding in appear-
ance, genial in disposition, of a high moral
character, and full of the Holy Ghost and power,
he was the man for the place.

Located in the western section of the State
of l^orth Carolina was Rev. Edward Eagles ; in
the eastern section was Rev. Lemuel Boone;
Dr. Shepard towering in strength in the center

REV, AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 33

of the State, formed a splendid link for a begin-
ning, ere these two pioneers should be called to
their reward. It required but a short while of
such ser\dce as Dr. Shepard rendered to the
State to convince the multitudes to whom he
spoke that he was the man of the hour, sent from
God to broaden the foundation on which the
great Baptist hosts might build in after years.
His influence began to be felt in every section
of the State, and he was soon the acknowledged
leader of the colored Baptists of E"orth Caro-
lina; not only in Sunday School work, but
church work as well. Indeed, it may be said
the field was ripe for the harvest ; his plans and
suggestions were received almost everywhere;
organizations were formed, and the work was
begun in earnest. It was through Dr. Shepard
that the Baptist State Sunday School Conven-
tion of E'orth Carolina was organized. He laid
hold of the Convention, to propagate its work
and to make it the great organization it is to-
day. And, too, it was his work to form auxil-
iary conventions throughout the State, many of
which are still in existence, and have done and
are doing splendid service in themselves and
for the State Sunday School Convention.
3

34 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

As it was said of the Christ, to an extent it
might be said of Kev. Shepard, "The which, if
thej should be written every one/' to say the
least this book could not "contain" them. It
was while serving in this capacity he demon-
strated to the convention, other organizations,
and churches his great power as a Gospel preach-
er, as well as organizer. It was generally con-
ceded until the day of his death, that he was the
best preacher among Baptists of ^orth Caro-
lina. We do not make this statement as a fact,
but as a concession (while we state it in our
individual opinion as a fact). Ko man was
more extensively loved. His gentle spirit, his
unassuming carriage, his kindly demeanor, and
his universal interest, gave him that hold on
men that everywhere a very charitable feeling
was entertained for him. If this Sunday School
missionary had done no more than cement hearts
as he did, inspire lofty ideals, offer comfort,
cheer, and encouragement to the despairing, that
of itself would have given him a place in the
front ranks of Christ's soldiery. But hundreds,
yea, thousands, can recall some kind word or
deed of this man of God, which has been a step-
ping stone to their lives.

REV. AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 35

Some one has said in substance, ^'To be young
while one lives, is to live in the hearts and lives
of the young." If this is true, and we believe it,
Dr. Shepard was but a youth when called to
his reward. For peculiarly it may be said of
him, that his crowning years, as well as at the
beginning, and all through his life, much time
was spent with the youth. It is that debt of
gratitude which has led to the writing of his
biography. The good one does when he places
in the hands of another the Bible or other Gos-
pel literature, can never be estimated. Thou-
sands and hundreds of thousands of Bibles and
Gospel tracts were distributed by Dr. Shepard,
and through his direction throughout ^orth
Carolina. Hundreds of our ministers who had
scarcely no helps, were supplied with libraries,
which proved of inestimable value in preparing
them for their work. ^N'ot then as now, did they
have theological seminaries and access to libra-
ries; but many of them were wholly dependent
upon these helps afforded, through Dr. Shepard,
by the American Baptist Publication Society.

For eighteen years he served as the Society's
missionary. Everywhere throughout the State
protests were heard against his leaving the work.

36 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Accommodations during these years were very
meager. He had to endure much privation and
suffering to do this work. We have often heard,
him tell how on one occasion, like Jacob of old,
he had ^^nothing upon which to rest his weary
head" save a "cold stone/' and this he endured
for a whole night. Often for many miles and
hours, with the sweat pouring down his face,
bearing his budget of books, tramping his way
from place to place, that the destitute might be
supplied. With eighteen long years of such serv-
ice, he felt it incumbent, over" the protests on
every side, to retire from the field work to the
pastorate. In almost every organization through-
out the State, resolutions were passed commend-
ing his service and wishing for him many years
of usefulness in other fields to which he was
called. With deep gratitude to God Almighty,
hopeful, and even ambitious for greater service
along other lines, he bids a long farewell to the
field work and enters the pastorate.

Jf ounber of Coloreb (i^rpfjan ^gplum

It is sometimes difficult to tell where, when
and by whom great enterprises have their origin.
Several have laid claim to the honor of bringing

REV, AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 37

the Colored Orphan Asylum into existence; we
dare not dispute this claim. Like David in his
relation to the building of the Temple at Jeru-
salem, '^it was in his heart to build the Temple,"
but the actual building was left to the wise and
skillful Solomon. As the Sunday School mis-
sionary for N^orth Carolina, coming in contact
with all classes and conditions of people through-
out the State, no man was in a better position to
study and know the needs of the people of this
State; the neglected orphan boys and girls ap-
pealed to the sympathy of Dr. Shepard as no
other subject. His heart became so burdened
with the thought of some place for the care and
attention of the orphan, he would often spend
sleepless nights and anxious hours, trying to fix
upon some definite plan for an institution for the
maintenance and support. It was said by some
who were in position to know, that while pastor
at Henderson, K. C, Dr. Shepard had a regular
^^praying ground," where he would resort night
after night, and plead with God for the orphan
children. Such prayers never go unanswered.
There were not the organizations in the State
then as there are now, to which he might make
appeals, in the hope of an answer. But there

38 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

was a God on high, who numbers the very ^^hairs
of our heads and marks the sparrow's fall," and
who has explicitly said in His Word, ''Pure re-
ligion and undefiled before God and the Father,
is this, to visit the widows and orphans in their
afflictions, and to keep himself unspotted from
the world."

In August, 1883, he felt that the time had
fully come ; they who have the will and make it
known to God, God always makes the way. There
is no chance work in the Divine j)rovidence;
God has fixed everything to move in His own
time, and along right lines. The Wake Baptist
Association met with First Baptist Church of
Franklinton, ^N". C, of that same year, and the
Shiloh Baptist Convention met at the First Bap-
tist Church of Henderson, N. C, in close prox-
imity. This was God's time, and Dr. Shepard
was God's man to do the work. Through his
influence, committees were appointed by each of
these Associations, to take into consideration the
establishment of an orphan home. Drs. IST. F.
Roberts, Wm. A. Greene, Rev. C. M. Ransom,
Joshua Perry, and Prof. Jerry S. Lee composed
the committee from the Wake Association ; Rev.
Isaac Alston, M. F. Thornton, and Henry Hes-

REV, AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 39

ter from the Shiloh Association. The time was
ripe, and after some deliberation, an organiza-
tion was formed, under the name of the ^'Orphan
Asylum dissociation." An appeal was issued to
churches, associations, conventions, and secret
organizations throughout the State. With a
burning heart and prayerful desires, no man
was so well qualified to follow up these appeals
as was this man of God. From the mountains
to the seashore, from church to church, from
place to place, clothed in earnestness and elo-
quence, his voice resounded ^'in behalf of neg-
lected boys and girls." And yet wdth all this,
it was first a season of clouds and darkness, and
then a season of life and hope. Members of
this committee grew faint; but ''Brother Shep-
ard" would still say, "There is yet hope."

To better advance the work, and to make it
more effective, he organized county Sunday
School conventions throughout the State as aux-
iliaries to the State Convention, and in the con-
stitutions of each of these auxiliaries the main
object was the establishment and maintenance
of the Colored Orphan Asylum. Evidently thq
plan was of God and it had its desired effect.
The cause of the orphan was not only heralded

40 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

bj this great champion, but pious women began
to multiply through the auxiliary conventions.
Each of them had their monthly meetings, in-
stead of annual meetings as contemplated in the
State Convention; and as funds were sent up
from time to time the soul of the founder was
touched with gratitude and praises to God.

While other denominations have contributed
from time to time, it can be truthfully said that
the Baptists are the sole cause of the existence
of the asylum, and for several years it was called
the Baptist Asylum. That the appeal might be
more extensive and effective, the name was
changed to the Grant Asylum. It was then de-
cided to appeal to the State Legislature, and the
name was then changed to that of the Colored
Oi^han Asylum of Oxford. While its name has
been changed to meet the demand, the Baptists
have been by far the gi-eatest contributors among
the religious denominations.

Kev. W. A. Patillo was the first superintend-
ent, with Dr. Shepard president of the Board
of Trustees. It was the day of "small things"
while he remained at its head; many sacrifices
were imperatively necessary, but he proved equal
to the task; and while others have still built

REV. AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 41

splendidly, it was upon the foundation made by
Rev. Patillo, associated with Dr. Shepard.
When Rev. Patillo surrendered his post, every-
thing was still in a crude state, and even then
it looked as if the institution would be a thing
of the past; but the same unseen Hand was at
the helm, to guide this ship to a safe haven.

For a short while Miss Hawkins, a generous
hearted white missionary from the E^orth, had
temporary charge, and erected on an adjoining
lot, at her own expense, a building which has
since been used as a girls' dormitory. Never a
wiser choice was made than when Rev. Robert
Shepard, brother to Rev. Augustus Shepard, was
called to the superintendency of this institution.
At that time there was needed prayer, patience,
and perseverance, and it may be peculiarly said
of him, he possessed each of these in turn. A
more familiar face and form was never seen in
N^orth Carolina than that of '^Brother Shepard,''
standing in the midst of some audience singing
^^Saviour, more than life to me," and pleading
for the orphan with tears streaming down his
face ; these appeals never failed to get a hearty
response, and things began to take shape and
form at the Home. It was during his adminis-

42 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

tration that an appeal was made to the Legisla-
ture of JSTorth Carolina for an annual appropria-
tion to the asylum. A singular incident oc-
curred in answer to this appeal. They asked
for an appropriation of $5,000.00, or fifty hun-
dred dollars; the committee objected to that
amount, and directed the clerk to write forty
hundred instead; the clerk neglected to make
the change, and when the time came, the bill
read ^'fifty hundred dollars," and ^'Brother
Shepard" always felt that this was an answer
to his prayer.

The institution grew rapidly and very pros-
perous under his administration. He was suc-
ceeded by Hon. H. P. Cheatham, a former mem-
ber of the United States Congress; a man of
broad experience, of much common sense and
business ability ; a man whom everybody knows
is thoroughly equipped for the position. Dur-
ing all these years of change of administration.
Dr. Augustus Shepard held the place of presi-
dent of the Board of Trustees, and lived to see
many splendid improvements at the institution.
He held the place until the day of his death.
He never failed while he lived to lift his voice
in behalf of the orphan. After his demise, in

REV, AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 43

consideration of the exalted service he rendered
to the institution, which in after years became
an object of charity for the Masonic Fraternity
of IsTorth Carolina, although himself not a mem-
ber, in their annual convocation held at Green&-
boro, ^rth Carolina, in 1911, a resolution was
unanimously passed to erect some suitable monu-
ment on the campus of the Oxford Asyliun, or
elsewhere, as the committee may direct, in honor
of his memory. Hence his name will be doubly
writ : first, upon the hearts, lives, and characters
of those who shall go out of that institution to
bless the world ; and upon this stone, which is a
tribute of the generosity of the Masonic Fra-
ternity. A further tribute was paid to his mem-
ory by the board which he ser\^ed so faithfully
and long, to leave his chair vacant, with a tem-
porary presiding officer, for twelve months.

We give below a statement of the Oxford Or-
phan Asylum at the time of his death :

Number of orphan children 652

Value of plant:

295 acres of land $12,000.00

Brick dormitory 26,000.00

Six frame buildings, including shops,

sawmill and brick plant 15,000.00

Improved farm implements and live
^^°^^ 2,500.00

44 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

free from encumbrance, save balance due on
a small tract of land purchased near the insti-
tuition. The State appropriates annually six
thousand dollars for maintenance of the institu-
tion. Many men might consider themselves for-
tunate if they had done no more than to have
been an instrument in the hands of God in es-
tablishing such an institution.

2Sr. ^fjeparb ag ^asJtor

From what has already been written, it would
seem as if Dr. Shepard excelled along all lines.
His manly character, his splendid record, his
affable disposition, made this largely true; but
he was never so fully satisfied, and suited, as he
was in the pastorate. If there was ever a man
who loved home and home comfort, it was Dr.
Shepard. The pastorate afforded him the op-
portunity of this enjoyment. Much of his splen-
did powers as a speaker came by natural in-
stinct, and growing out of the earnest, consci-
entious Christian life that he led ; but much of
it came as a result of hard, faithful, unceasing
study and preparation ; his home life afforded
him this opportunity.

Uniquely, he was a Gospel preacher of the

REV. AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 45

rarest type. This was readily admitted by all
who heard him. The Bible was to him a text-
book, a guide book, and a daily companion ; and
his knowledge of the Bible was thorough and
complete. This most of all made him a Gospel
preacher. One could rarely mention any por-
tion of Scripture with which he was not
thoroughly familiar, and could quote that Scrip-
ture verbatim and could tell exactly where it
was found in the Bible. And, too, he had great
faith and a vital hope in every promise of God's
Word. 'Thus saith the Lord," quoting his
own language, was all that was necessary for a
foundation upon which to build our hope for
time and eternity. During his entire life, noth-
ing gave him greater joy than to spend hours
and hours alone with God and the Bible, in
constant devotion. It goes without saying, that
he never went to his pulpit after such devotion
that he was not able to send the truth home to
the hearts of his congregation.

It was said once of a great orator, had he done
nothing more than gesticulate, his gestures were
so perfect he could have been so fully under-
stood it would have been a greater speech, by
far, than any ordinary orator. So say we of

46 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Augustus Shepard. His life was so chaste and
pure, so imposing in his demeanor, his manly
face bearing such an expression of the Christ,
his very presence in the pulpit meant more to
the people who knew and loved him, than many
preachers laboring with their might.

We have already mentioned the fact that
while a student at the Baptist Institute, or Shaw
University, he was called to the Blount Street
Baptist Church to be associated with the pastor,
President H. M. Tupper. His services greatly
aided the overworked Kev. Dr. Tupper, and
through him the church was greatly strength-
ened, both in numbers and influence. He was
afterward called to Hillsboro, ISTorth Carolina.
The church at Hillsboro never enjoyed such
prosperity as it did under his pastorate ; having
the leadership all to himself, he demonstrated
his ability to lead, and gave promise of greater
results by far in greater fields of usefulness.
The membership was gi^eatly increased, and dig-
nity and spiritual force were in evidence. In
1875, over the strong protests of church and
community, he resigned.

The year following he was called to the First
Baptist Church of Oxford, :N'. C. The greatest

BEV, AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 47

revival known in the history of the church at
Oxford came during the pastorate of Dr. Shep-
ard. AYhile serving in this pastorate he was
called to Henderson, IST. C. In his first pastor-
ate in Henderson he served three years. And
in 1880 was succeeded by Rev. M. C. Ransom.
One of the unusual occurrences in life, he was
succeeded in three churches by Rev. Ransom:
at Hillsboro, Oxford, and Henderson. He was
twice called to the church at Henderson, and
served six years in the last call. It was during
this second pastorate here that he established a
secondary Baptist school, with Miss Cora B.
Persons, of Franklinton, ^. C, principal. She
was succeeded by Rev. Jas. Young, of Louis-
burg. The school flourished during his pastor-
ate, but was discontinued after he left Hender-
son.

Dr. Shepard believed in splendid church edi-
fices, and almost without exception, where the
edifice was inadequate, that was his first under-
taking. He began the erection of a lovely brick
structure at Henderson, but he did not remain
there to finish it. Dr. Walden, his successor,
thought it wise, and erected on the same spot a
beautiful frame structure. Dr. Shepard was

48 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

then called to the Roanoke-Salem Baptist
Church at Garysburg in 1885. In the language
of one who was then a member, but has since
been called to the same pastorate, ''Dr. Shepard
found us in a poor condition as to our house of
worship; it was almost completely demolished,
held together only by the ceiling ; and he left us
in a beautiful and commodious church structure.
He i3ut life into the Sunday School. While he
was a great builder, his wide knowledge and
experience taught him that the prayer meeting
and Sunday School lay at the very foundation
of a progTessive, prosperous, and successful
church." He found the people at Roanoke-
Salem Church ready to work; and they found
in him a leader untiring in his efforts to build
up, to develop, and to go forward. About three
hundred persons were added to the church by
baptism during the six years of his pastorate.
ISTot as in other churches, this church had preach-
ing but once a month. In 1891 he left this
strong, loving country church to take up work
in another section of the State; but like the
Apostle to the Gentiles, he never let an oppor-
tunity pass to revisit this church, to give and to
get inspiration; for this particular church was
always an inspiration to him.

REV. AUGUSTUS SEEPARD 49

His next pastorate was the First Baptist
Churcli at Charlotte. Dr. Shepard was a great
believer in the education of the youth, and one
of the first things he did after settling down in
Charlotte, was the erection of the Wharton JSTor-
mal and Industrial School; which work was
carried on by his successor, Dr. C. C. Somer-
ville, for some time, and afterward it passed
under the auspices of the Eowan Baptist Asso-
ciation, and was transferred to Salisbury, 'E. C,
under the name of Piedmont Institute. He
erected a parsonage, and then he laid the founda-
tion for the brick structure which was continued
under his successor. Dr. Somerville; but was
completed under its present pastor. Dr. P. S.
Lewis. This is regarded as the best church
structure in :N'orth Carolina. As characterized
his pastorate everywhere, great spiritual awak-
enings followed in this church. And it may be
said of this membership that nowhere in North
Carolina, or out of it, can there be found a
more loyal, hustling crowd. Dr. Shepard be-
lieved in long pastorates only in exceptional
cases, and whenever it occurred to him that
some one else might do better, or that he might
do better elsewhere, over the protests and admo-
4

50 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

nitions of those who had learned to love him
and appreciate his real worth, he would go else-
where.

He was now called to the pastorate of the
Blount Street Church, where he had served
years before as associate pastor. While there
he gave a part of his time to the Eoseville Bap-
tist Church. From Raleigh he went to War-
renton, to pastor the First Baptist Church,
where he served about two years and during
which time he was elected principal of the Shi-
loh Institute, of Warrenton. Teaching, how-
ever, was not his calling, but he felt it incum-
bent to relieve the situation until another could
take charge. So often in the providence of Him
^'who marks the sparrow's fall," grants the
earthly reward to enable us to perform the most
ennobling service just before entering the eternal
reward. Like the fruitages and flowers greatest
and sweetest and best in ripening season, so was
he called to White Rock Church, Durham,
[N'orth Carolina, a hero of many battles, to fight
his last battle and to come to the end of his
service. The last, the best, and yet the most
trying of Dr. Shepard's life was left to this last
pastorate. Just before he was called to this

WHITE ROCK BAPTIST CHURCH, Durham, N. C.

REV. AUGUSTUS SHEFARD 51

church, it was torn asunder, and in the midst of
a great lawsuit. A part of the church had gone
out, and were worshiping elsewhere. As a pro-
viso in the settlement of this suit, a decision of
the courts, unheard of before in the annals of
court decisions, was that the names of three
ministers prominently mentioned before by
either faction of the church, should be excluded
from the list of those who would be considered
as pastor, for three years. Among those men-
tioned was the name of Dr. Shepard. At the
expiration of three years, his eldest son. Dr.
J. E. Shepard, with explicit confidence in the
ability of his father to bring shape and form
out of chaos, peace out of confusion, made the
motion that his father be elected pastor of White
Kock Church. This motion prevailed.

With an indomitable will, with that faith that
characterized him in all these years, he assumed
the pastorate in 1901. In the language of one
of the members of White Rock Church, ''His
unfailing sweetness of temper, his custom to
think no evil, even of his enemies, his unswerv-
ing employment of means of prayer, soon
brought a decided increase in the membership
and congregation. An unusual occurrence,

52 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

some of the most prominent members of the
Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Methodist, and
Congregational churches flocked under the shel-
ter of White Rock Church, and those who at
first thought to ^'laugh him to scorn,'' were soon
made to feel that he was not a mere ^'idle curi-
osity" on their hands.

From an enrollment in the Sunday School of
150, and an average attendance of 70 or 80, at
the time of his death the enrollment was 520,
with an average attendance of 480. In praise
of Dr. Shepard's great service, we do not lose
sight of the hearty cooperation of the constitu-
ency of the church ; and yet he was the great in-
strument in the hands of God to unravel the
tangle and furnish the inspiration for the mar-
velous changes which ensued.

Dr. Shepard, with long years of service and
ripe experience in pastoral work, held extensive
Bible readings, and sought to lay in the member-
ship a foundation, firm and strong, by acquaint-
ing the people with a knowledge of the Bible,
and emphasizing the fact that the Bible was not
a toy to decorate the center tables of parlors;
but to be read in daily family devotion and ap-
plied to their lives. The wisdom of this course

REV, AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 53
is seen even now in the fact that, though his
body lies cold in the grave, the membership still
holds together in a glorious union.

With the increase of the Sunday School, as a
natural sequence the facilities of the Sunday
School must be extended. It v^as evident that
more room would have to be made, to accommo-
date them, and the Sunday School annex was
the first improvement. Afterward, it w^as seen
that the main auditorium was inadequate, and
hence followed the beautiful structure which is
the pride of the church people of l^orth Caro-
lina. 'No church, white or colored, in Durham,
has the same conveniences and modern appli-
ances ; besides the main auditorium, there is a
Sunday School department, a distinct adjunct,
with its own apartments and divisions for the
accommodation of its classes ; the pastor's study ;
the reading and lecture room ; the ladies' parlor,
kitchen, dining room, and even bath rooms. The
privations of pastor and membership during the
time of the erection of this new structure were
great. As a temporary place of worship they
used a tent, which during the season of summer
was excessively hot ; and yet pastor and people
and congregation held on even under these try-

ing circumstances.

54 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

The test of the physical, as well as the ora-
torical and spiritual, strength of the pastor was
tried. The congregations and collections did
not fall a whit behind ; but for one, at his time
of life, who had known nothing but hardships
and toil, the strain was too much; and it was
thought by many these trying circumstances
hastened his death, which so soon followed. With
great ceremony and Christian pride, in 1911,
the new edifice was thrown open to the public.
As in so many other instances, '^In the midst of
life we are in death.'' Just as White Eock
Church felt that they were prepared to enter
upon their greatest work, in less than twelve
months this ^Svatchman" was called from the
walls. True to his trust in the closing hours of
an eventful life, as he had been in all preceding
years, he gave them timely warning, as God had
given warning to him, the fulfillment of which
they were in no sense prepared to accept, when
it came. Said he to his church, '^I will soon
have to leave you, but while I am here, I will
tell you the truth, as it is revealed to me."
Less than one year from that day, just long
enough to enjoy some fruitage of such earnest
and anxious sowing of tears, sacrifices and pray-

REV. AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 55

ers, God required him to answer to a summons
from on high.

He was invited to preach the dedicatorial
sermon in the beautiful and imposing First
Baptist Church of Charlotte, N. C, of which
mention has been made among his pastorates;
but the invitation came just too late for compli-
ance. His summons had come from his Fa-
ther's throne on high, and it was mandatory.
Even his family was unmindful of the real situ-
ation; his wife had gone to Charlotte ahead of
him, and anxiously awaited his coming. For
the first time a message over the wires told of the
real situation, and his wife hastened to his bed-
side, where she remained to the end.

The news of the extreme illness of the dis-
tinguished pastor of White Rock Baptist
Church was flashed over the wires from his
home in Durham to the remotest parts of the
State of North Carolina and elsewhere. The
newspapers told the sad story of his illness with
as much reservation as possible, and yet one
could easily ''read between the lines" and was
made to feel that the ''prince" of preachers

56 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

among the ITegro Baptists of E'orth Carolina
was fast approaching the end.

A specialist in the medical field was hurried
to the scene, while two other physicians were at
his bedside, twice each day, and sometimes far
up into the night; every care and attention
which human hands could devise, was employed ;
prayers in the State meetings, in the churches,
and in the closets went uj) daily and hourly in
his behalf; for seven weeks he lingered, but
these petitions were unceasing. !N'ot once during
all these weeks and days of suffering was he
heard to utter a word of complaint. Although
under a strain, as was evident sometimes, each
visitor was met in his approach with a genial
smile and a kindly gTeeting. His usual reply to
the many inquiries, ''I am making out,'' or ^'I
am just waiting."

Never before have we seen such deep anxiety
exhibited, and for such a long time. The scene
was often pathetic, to find members and friends
waiting in adjoining homes, with tearful eyes,
asking for one word of cheer from the sick room.
Augustus Shepard shared, as no other we have
ever known, the deepest sympathy and good
wishes of the world about him. The State Con-

REV, AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 57

vention, in its annual session at Fayetteville,
IT. C, which provided for him in its pro-
gram to preach one of the annual sermons,
on learning of the condition of the sufferer, was
touched into tenderness as we have never seen
them before ; resolutions were passed, to be sent
over the wires to his bedside; several fervent
prayers were offered in his behalf; and more
than an hour was spent by different members,
who had been associated with him for so many
years, in giving expression to his many virtues
and achievements.

From time to time during these seven weeks
of illness, the home was crowded with people
from all ranks of life. All this could not stay
death from his claim. The appointed time had
come, and the debt must be paid. The hero of
so many battles must face the battle of battles,
the battle of the death struggle ; but with that
fortitude which never failed him in the fiercest
contests of the life he had lived so nobly, his
every word, and even his very countenance, gave
evidence; although upon the verge of the dark
"valley of the shadow of death/' he "feared no
evil," for God was with him.

One of the last things he did was to give the

58 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

last counsel to his family, as he had constantly
done in life. With his hand clasped in that of
his daughter, ''faith caught the sound/' love
heard the rustling of wings, angels coming from
above to bear his spirit to that blest spirit land.
The Heavenly Father, as if to give emphasis to
this beautiful life, called him just at sunset, on
the beautiful day of ITovember 19th. Silence
reigned everywhere, broken only by an occasion-
al sob ; his end was not the agony and groans of
the lost, or the radiance of the departing clothed
in poetry and song, but as the sun in his glory
at eventide of this day died in silence sublime,
so passed this ''father in Israel," not to return as
the king of day on the following morning, to
light up and beautify the earth ; but to reflect a
brightness with that of others in realms immor-
tal fair ; in realms where "the Lord giveth them
light: and where they shall reign forever and
ever."

His spacious residence on Cozart Avenue was
not sufficient to meet the demands of the vast
crowds that gathered around, and his remains
were borne by gentle hands to the church edifice
in which he had served so faithfully up to the
closing days of his earthly career. The thou-

REV. AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 59

sands of both races, of all classes and conditions,
throughout the day, with bared heads and rever-
ential expressions, passed the coffin to take the
last look at the face so familiar to all Durham,
and to all North Carolina. It never was ours
before to realize such an imposing funeral occa-
sion ; members and organizations of White Rock
Church; friends, white and colored, seemed to
vie with each other in the floral offerings of the
most lovely and costly designs. There was hard-
ly room on the spacious rostrum to contain them.
These expressions came not only from persons
with whom he had been associated, but we are
told from persons who had only heard of his
noble life and character. Hours before the
time for the funeral services, the street for about
two hundred yards was crowded to its utmost
capacity ; the train bearing friends from Ra-
leigh stopped just in front of the home to ac-
commodate the vast numbers. It was impossible
to have all the disting-uished men speak, who
had gathered to do honor to the occasion. The
sermon was preached by Rev. N". F. Roberts,
D.D., a schoolmate and lifelong friend of the
deceased; others who spoke were Dr. A. W.
Pegues, Col. Jas. H. Young, Dr. C. F. Meserve,

60 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

of Kaleigh, ^. C. ; Dr. J. Elmer Dellinger, of
Greensboro, 1^. C. ; Dr. P. S. Lewis, of Char-
lotte, I^. C. ; Dr. A. M. Moore, Dr. J. E. Jack-
son, Prof. W. G. Pearson, and Mr. John Mer-
rick, of Durham. An original poem was read
by G. W. McCorkle, and among the songs, one
that he loved so well, a solo, 'Tlee as a bird to
your mountain,^' by Miss Maggie Poole. We
shall never forget the scene as the remains were
borne from the church, eighty young men rep-
resenting the Baraca Class, of which he was
teacher, with bared heads, each bearing in his
hand one of the many floral designs. Ere the
grave was reached the shades of night, as if to
give their share of gloom, had settled down on
all. AYith torches in hand, the vast throng gath-
ered around the last resting place of the dead ;
and after a fervent prayer was offered and the
burial service was read by Rev. Dr. Jackson, of
the St. Joseph A. M. E. Church, all that was
mortal of Augustus Shepard, the distinguished
pastor of the White Rock Baptist Church, by
gentle hands was laid to rest to await the resur-
rection morn. Every heart was touched to
tenderness as they heard so distinctly the clods
of cold clay as they fell upon the metal coffin;

REV, AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 61

all ejes were bathed in tears as the coffin was
lost from view, by the mound of fresh clay.
But the situation was changed, as if by imagi-
nation, instead of the clay, it was a bank of
flowers, a reminder that what might seem lost
in the grave's confines would one day be revived
and clothed in a blessed immortality; would
pass into those blest realms where the flowers
are always in bloom.

The mourners filed away in turn as they came,
with a blessed hope that they should meet this
loved one "In the sweet by and bye/' There
was just one profound thought which filled our
inmost soul through all these scenes, which we
have but half painted, and that thought was,
after all it pays to live right.

62 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

OTlfjite a^ocfe iSaptigt Cljurcf)

The Baraca Class of the White Eock Baptist
Church is the live wire of the church. The late
pastor, Rev. Augustus Shepard, D.D., always
believed in young men, and he conceived the
idea at the very outset of his pastorate in Dur-
ham, to enlist the young men in the work of the
church. He started the work with a class of six,
and from six the class grew to one hundred
and five, with an average attendance of sixty-
four. It is a remarkable sight to see such a
large body of young men anxiously and eagerly
engaged in church work, seeking to do some-
thing. The motto of the class is, "Young Men
Helping Young Men, All Standing by the Bi-
ble." The class has a regular business organi-
zation which meets weekly. They contribute
each week to any sick member of the class ; they
seek out the stranger, they help in the general
work of the church. From this class ushers
are appointed, and they have charge of the
penny collection or offering for the sick. The
organization of this class has added hundreds
of dollars to the church's finances; besides, it
has exerted a saving influence upon a large num-

REV. AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 63

ber of joimg men. 'No story, however graphi-
cally told, could do justice to the good done by
this class and the influence it has had in help-
ing the church.

White Eock Baptist Church was remodeled
in 1911 at a cost of $26,000.00. It is modern
in its equipment, having a large general Sun-
day School room and ten separate class rooms.
It has a parlor, library, reading room, kitchen,
dining room, pastor's study, and general as-
sembly room.

The library of this church is open to the peo-
ple of Durham, and it is made a reading room
at night so that the young men can gather and-
have a place for meeting.

Baths have been arranged in the church, so
that young men may have a place, by paying a
nominal fee, to take any kind of bath desired.

Night classes are conducted each evening,
where bookkeeping, stenography, and literary
branches are taught.

In every way possible, this church has tried to
carry out the spirit of the pastor, to help young
men, because it realizes that the young men
must be the future hope of the nation.

64 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

We give just a few letters to show the esteem
in which the character of our sketch was held.
And what say these few, so say they all.

EEV. AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 65

^ppxtmtion hv Br. Cfjarlesf Jf . iWegerbe

I first became acquainted witli Dr. Shepard
soon after my arrival at Shaw University, Kal-
eigh, IT. C, in March, 1894. I saw at once
that he was an unusual man, both by birth and
training. I came to know him very closely
through the years, and to esteem him as one of
the best, most upright and conscientious minis-
ters of the State. On several occasions he con-
ducted special revival services in our chapel,
and always successfully and with the best of
judgment. He was a finished speaker, a careful
thinker, and in all of his associations with the
leading people of both races displayed rare good
sense; and always showed himself a perfect
Christian gentleman. He was born in slavery,
and at the close of the Civil War began to take
advantage of the meagre educational advan-
tages then offered, and pursued his studies later
under more favorable conditions, and was grad-
uated from Shaw University with the degree of
B.S. in 1880. The institution honored herself
as well as our dear departed brother in confer-
ring upon him later the honorary degree of Doc-
tor of Divinity.
5

66 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

I have had a wide acquaintance during a long
life with a large number of prominent ministers
of both races, and have rarely found any one
more courteous, conscientious, gentle, and spirit-
ually minded than was the late Dr. Shepard.
The world is poorer and heaven is richer because
he has lived, rendered a splendid service, and
gone to his reward.

Charles Fran^cis Meserve,
President of Shaw University^,

Raleigh, N. C.
March 5, 1912.

REV, AUGUSTUS SHEPARD 67

tribute bp 3^eb. ^. iS. l^agsf, B. 5©.

If there is any one minister that stands at
the head of the colored preachers of North
Carolina, I suppose the honor belongs to Dr. A.
Shepard, both because of his work, his talent as
orator and preacher, and most of all, his stal-
wart Christian character. He has accomplished
a great work for local churches, and also for the
denomination at large, and he is ending up his
days at the White Rock Baptist Church, Dur-
ham, 'N. C, where he is giving us all some ob-
ject lessons in pastoring a people. This church
ought to do its utmost to retain him as pastor
the rest of his life, for he is by no means an
old man yet, and is inclined to go where the
people love him enough to try to live up to a
right standard.

Dr. Shepard was one of the pioneers in our
denominational work in this State. What we
are today is due very largely to him. He has
traveled the State from one end to the other, in
the country and in towns and cities, and where-
ever he went he organized Sunday Schools and
churches, and placed good books in the hands
of old and young. He was the second Sunday

68 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

School missionary sent out by the great Ameri-
can Baptist Publication Society to work in
North Carolina, and he did the work of dozens
organizing our State Sunday School Conven-
tion. I have found it true that an organized
body retains and represents the spirit of the
man that founded it. This is especially true of
our Convention. Dr. Shepard has never known
any other spirit in his work than that of the
lowly I^azarene, and I know of few State Sun-
day School Conventions where there is such lit-
tle bombast and so much of the genuine spirit
of our Lord and Master as in the case of our
Convention, and I thank God it was started by
such a man. One reason why some conventions
and churches always are in trouble and do such
little is because they represent the spirit of their
founders.

Dr. Shepard also organized the Oxford Or-
phan Asylum, which has so commended itself
generally that the State of Xorth Carolina is
now helping it with a handsome appropriation
yearly, and a second one of the kind has been
started at Winston-Salem as an outgrowth of
this effort.

Dr. A. Shepard is no time server, nor does he

REV. AUGU8TU8 SHEPARD 69

flatter men and study to please them. He aims
rather to show himself approved unto God as a
worker that needeth not to be ashamed, and is
an example to us all. May God bless him and
spare him to us for many long years to come.

S. 'N. Vass.

[Tribute offered in the form of a resolution and ad-
dress by Dr. S. N. Vass at the Baptist State Sunday
School Convention, Goldsboro, N. C]