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 



