The Press., 1902-12-11

S@ REV. GEORGE W. SHEPARD 'r
 Rev. George w. Shephard. the new pastor of the B aptist church, comes to his work here under the most favorable auspices, and with the strongest recom- mendations from parishes over which he has had charge. Mr. Shephard was born in Shropshire, England,' in ths' parish of Wellington, near Shrewsbury, where Dar- win first saw the light, forty-three years ago. He was educated for the Baptist ministry in that country and came direct ly from the seminary to America twenty years ago. For a time after his arrival he supplied the "Ward One Mission" in Springfield, Mass, as a licentiate, at the time when Rev: l.. L. F otter was pastor of the First Baptist churohgin that city. Failing health forced him to a country pastorate, and he was ordained as pastor of the Baptist church in Ashfield,s Mass. After 8 pastorate here of three years he received and accepted call to the North church at Bennington, Vt. E. MT. Shephard has since then held pastorates at East Marion, Long Island, Worcester, N. Y., and North Hebron, N. Y. Of his work in former parishes such papers as the Brooklyn Times and the New York Ex. aminer speak in the highest terms, while the following, from the Granville (N. -Y.) Sentinel of November 18th, more imme- dlately concerns his last parish work.
 Rev. George W. Shephard of the North Hebron Baptist society, who recently rendered his resignation to accept a call to the Baptist church at Stafford, Conn {, will deliver his farewell sermon at North Hebron Sunday morning. The reverend gentleman has had charge of, 4thes North Hebron church six years, and his ,labors have certainly been blessed. When he assumed the pastorate the church was so run down and divided that those who knew 1t best said that 1t would take many long years of ceaseless work to restore it to healthful spiritual and financial con
 dition. The doors had been closed for
 months, and the membership was only ninety-f1ve. By the dint of hard work In his sermons ard parish, a large cOngrega- tion was gradually gathered and has been held to the last. One hundred and eleven members have been added, ninety -eight of whom MT. Shephard has baptized. The church is now financially strong and thoroughly united. The sheds and the edifice have been slated, the auditorium I has recently been frescoed and one of Frink's great church lights put in. A l new carpet has been ordered, and all bills for Improvements paid, with considerable money left over. The unusual honor of unanimously electing MT. Shephard to the moderatorship of the Washington Union Baptist association came when he had been in the association less than three years, and he has served for nearly six years on the missionary committee of the association, having been twice re- elected for terms of three years. His res ignation came like ''bolt from the blue'' to his people and friends. In view of MT. Shephard's success and popularity, the community considered him perma. nently located and deeply regret his de- parture. He will assume hisnew charge, where he enjoys an extended acquaint- ance, December T. l At a n1meetingsof Stafford gfange, No. 65, held. Tuesday evening, Dec. 2d,. the following officers were elected: Master
 U. M. Larned; overseef, Luther Craw. ford lecturer, Miss May Colburn; stew ard, Frank A. Lasbury; assistant stew.