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 



