Rushden Research Group: Rev Harry Shaw 1917

The Rushden Echo Friday 17th August 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rev. Harry Shaw -1917

Wesleyan Ministry at Rushden
The Rev. Harry Shaw Appointed to the Park-Road Church

Rev Harry Shaw

The Rev. H. Shaw, of Thrapston, who has done excellent service in the Raunds Wesleyan Circuit, will remove to the Higham Ferrers Wesleyan Circuit at the end of August, having been appointed minister at the Park-road Wesleyan Church, Rushden. He will commence his ministry at Rushden on Sunday, September 2nd, and he comes with the highest credentials.

Born in Sheffield on July 26th 1882, Mr. Shaw was brought up in the Society of Friends, but at the age of 21 he became a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and was a candidate for the ministry in 1905. On being accepted, he was sent for one year to the Worksop Circuit, after which he entered upon a course of theological training at Headingley College, Leeds. After his three years’ course at Headingly College, Mr. Shaw volunteered for pioneer work in Southern Rhodesia, South Africa. He returned to English work after two years’ labour in Rhodesia, and he has since travelled in the Oundle, Alford (Lincolnshire) and Raunds Circuits. In 1912 he married a Sheffield lady, Miss A. E. Brammer, who was, for several years, in the Sheffield Great Central Mission. In coming to Rushden, Mr. and Mrs. Shaw will receive a cordial welcome, and will find a splendid sphere for usefulness.

Two letters written by Rev Shaw at Christmas 1917 and Christmas 1918, to the members of the church who were serving in the war, kindly copied and sent to us, by the current owner of the old manse. (2014)

5th December 1917

Dear Friend,
The Christmas season will soon be upon us, and it would have been a real pleasure to have grasped your hand, and wished you the old, old, wish. It is to my deep regret that personal acquaintance with so many of our men is so long delayed; but I can assure you that you are all held in living remembrance before God. Kindly accept the heartiest Christmas Greetings from myself and all the members of the Park Road Wesleyan Church. The enclosed P.O. is a little seasonable gift from your many friends and well wishers.

May God hasten the glad day when the shout of armies shall cease, and when you will be back amongst us to receive the warmest welcome that grateful hearts can give. Until that day dawn, may God’s protection be over you, and the Divine Love cheer and enhearten you in all perils and privation. “Thou shalt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee.”

Mrs. Shaw joins me in loving regard and sincerest wishes.

Affectionately yours
H Shaw

December 1918

Dear Friend,
I write this under much happier conditions than those of last Christmas. The war is at last over, and the dawn of peace breaks over a weary and suffering earth. It is a relief to us to know that you are no longer exposed to danger, although, unfortunately, you must for some little time experience the discomforts of army life. This however, we trust will not be for long, and we are eagerly anticipating the day when you will return to the more congenial duties of civilian life. Whenever that may be, we assure you of a warm welcome. In the meantime we shall continue to pray that God may have you in His keeping.

The members and friends at the Park Road Wesleyan Church send you the enclosed as a small token of their sincere regard.

Mrs. Shaw joins me in all good wishes,

Yours very sincerely
H. Shaw

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