REV. H. R. L SHEPPARD

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 133, 2 December 1926, Page 14

REV. H. R. L SHEPPARD

UNABLE TO CARRY ON

RESIGNATION ANNOUNCED

BELOVED OF ST. MARTIN'S.

(From Our Own"Correspondent.) LONDON, Gth October. For a considerable time the Eev. H. B. L. Sheppard, Vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, has been in very indifferent health, and long periods of travel and rest, unfortunately, have not had the desired recuperative results. Last •year he went to Australia for a change, but his health was not much benefited. Last winter was spent abroad. Asthma is the, chief trouble. At length his resignation has been accepted, and it will take effect after Christmas. On several occasions Mr. Sheppard suggested that he should give up the living, but his faithful flock did not desire this.

During lengthy absences the duties of the. busy parish have been carried on mainly by the Eev. C. H. '- Kitchie (formerly" of Dunedin), the Eov. Harold Auson (who was for some time in New Zealand), and another curate. Mr. Ritchie has recently resumed duty after a period of rest which was necessitated by overwork and strain. As Senior Curate, Mr. Ritchie, on Sunday morning, made the announcement on a "domestic Matter," his; words having a peculiar impressiveuess, although the news was already known: All thoughts were with the "beloved pastor", in the country-nursing home where his heavy labours have sent him. Mr. Bitchie conveyed the news briefly, alluding to the vicar's long struggle; with undermined health, his unremitting sympathy and the qualities of simplicity and reality in his nature whi^h had attracted overflowing crowds to St. Martin's. Men and women flocked; round to the vestry after the service to hear further news and to welcome the warm assurance: "He will recover." EVER OPEN BOOR. Mr. Sheppard, who is forty-six years of age, went to St. Martin's immediately before,the outbreak of the war. At once this' vicar, whoj' now himself wears a row of war decorations on his surplice, made it a soldiers' church. It was open day and night during the war. To-day it is open every night for giving shelter to the hoiheless. "Diclc" Sheppard is a son of the late Canon. Sheppard, vflio was subdean of the Chapel Royal. He is an honorary chaplain to King George. He was head of Oxford House, the University settlement ■in Bpthnal Green, where tho present Bishop of London proved.himself. Bishop .Wakefield, until recently Bisliop of Birmingham, said on one occasion that what the Church of England required to maintain or to regain its position was>"a thousand Dick Sheppards.". To.;' hundreds of thousands of people whjb have never been in his church Mr. Snoppard is well known, through his wireless addresses. The broadcasting of the evening service every second Sunday in the month has made Mr. Sheppard's addresses familiar to people all over the country. Free Churchmen were welcomed at Trafalgar square, and the pulpit became » forum for . the exposition of many lhades of thought, the addresses being reprinted in tho " t St. Martin's Beview," a church periodical that Mr. Shoppard made well known. St. Martin-in-the-Fields is identified' with him in.a peculiar way, because his personality has made the church which stands at tho heart of London a force of a unique kind, and its influence extended far beyond the limits of the metropolis, and indeed of England itself. All over, tho British Empire, says "The Times," there are men and women who had found in St. Martin's,the reality, directness, and simplicity in religion that they desired, and they will feel • a sense of personal loss in learning that Mr. Sheppard has been compelled to lay down his charge. The character of the work has told on his health for some' time. The church was the centre, but the largest part was done elsewhere. Probably few people interviewed so many people of so many different kinds in the course of the day, or got into such quick and close contact with those who went to sco him. The nervous energy involved in work the spring of which was sympathy has told heavily, and all those who have benefited will realise their debt.