CONTENTS

CHAPTER I.
Parentage and Birth 19
Ancestry—Character of Dr. Walker’s Father—Dr. Walker’s Uncles—Dr. Walker’s Birth—Character of Dr. Walker’s Mother—W. A. Clark’s Tribute—A Generation of Preachers—Dr. Walker the Greatest of Them All.
CHAPTER II.
Early Childhood25
Richmond County During the Slave Period—The Hardships of Slavery—The Evils of Slavery—Dr. Walker Becomes an Orphan—His Strange Conversion—Joins Franklin Covenant Baptist Church.
CHAPTER III.
The Student Period29
First Taught by His Mother—Yankee Teachers—Enters the Augusta Institute—Dr. Joseph T. Robert—Dr. Walker’s Struggles—Ready to Leave School—Students Come to Rescue—Others Interested—Mr. Bierce’s Narrative—Dr. Walker’s Failure to Graduate—His Ordination.
CHAPTER IV.
Early Pastorates35

The Call to Franklin Covenant Baptist Church—Other Calls—Strange Custom of Negro Preachers—Dr. Walker Teaches School—Some of His Early Pupils—His Marriage—The Work at LaGrange.

CHAPTER V.
The Work at Augusta39

The Call to Central Baptist Church—The Unholy Wrangle Prior to His Call—His First Sermon—New Life for a Time—The Troubles Renewed—Central Baptist Church Sold—Tabernacle Baptist Church Organized—New Church Dedicated—Wonderful Record—The Pastor Goes North—Justin Dewey Fulton’s Commendation—Dr. Walker’s Report on His Return.

CHAPTER VI.
Other Work at Augusta47

Business Manager of the Augusta Sentinel—Founder of the Walker Baptist Institute—A Dream for the Future—Director-General of the Negro Exposition—The Exposition—Lends a Helping Hand to Many.

CHAPTER VII.
Influence in Georgia55

Offices Held—Public Addresses—Interest in Public Affairs—As an Evangelist—Securing Competent Leaders for Churches and Schools—Dr. Walker’s Unselfishness.

CHAPTER VIII.
The Visit to the Holy Land59

Provision for the Trip—Traveling Companions—Itinerary—Preaches at Mount Olivet Baptist Church on His Way—His Return—His Account of the Journey—On the Lecture Platform.

CHAPTER IX.
A Colored Man Abroad69

Extracts From Dr. Walker’s Writings—Tribute to the Sea—First Sabbath at Sea—Spurgeon’s Tabernacle—A Storm on the Mediterranean—Manners and Customs of the East—The Testimony of the Mountain—Drifting on Life’s Ocean—Anarchy—Warning.

CHAPTER X.
As a National Figure77

First National Baptist Convention—Dr. Walker one of the Founders—His Reply to Rev. H. C. Bailey—Resolutions Adopted—A National Leader—At Indianapolis—“A Strong Man in a Crisis”—Receives His Degree—Offices Held in National Baptist Convention—Chaplain U. S. V.—Vice President International Sunday School Convention—Calls to Other Churches.

CHAPTER XI.
Chaplain U. S. V.83

At San Luis, Cuba—Great Crowds Hear Account of Experiences—Resolutions Passed.

CHAPTER XII.
As an Evangelist88

Sphere Limited—Powers as an Evangelist—The New York Campaign—At Atlanta—In Kansas City.

CHAPTER XIII.
Leaves Augusta—Goes to New York98

Resignation of Augusta Church—Efforts to Retain Him—Last Sunday Night in Augusta—Mt. Olivet Church—His Success—Officers of Mt. Olivet Church.

CHAPTER XIV.
Colored Men’s Branch Y. M. C. A.108

Movement Started—Adopted by City Association—Secretary Coles—Obituary—Board of Management—Mr. Dugas—Miss Connelly—A Perpetual Monument to the Founder.

CHAPTER XV.
Called to Augusta Again115

The Recall—Mass Meeting in New York—Letter of Dr. Bitting—Speech of Col. Powell—Mass Meeting at Augusta—Dr. Walker’s Decision.

CHAPTER XVI.
Extracts from Sermons125

What Hath God Wrought—Go Forward—Infallible Proofs of the Resurrection.

CHAPTER XVII.
Extracts from Orations and Addresses138

Eulogy on President McKinley—Reply to Hannibal Thomas—The Golden Rule as an Individual Motto—An Appeal to Cæsar—Colored Men for the Twentieth Century.

CHAPTER XVIII.
Extracts from Newspapers155

The Examiner—Sun—World—Journal—Tribune—Times—Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle—Fall River (Mass.) Evening News—Georgia Baptist—Augusta Chronicle—Georgia Baptist.

CHAPTER XIX.
Anecdotes171

“The Black Sturgeon”—Reading and Counting for Negroes—Praying for Money—Praying for Converts—About Jay Birds—Early Religious Impressions—Electing a Church Treasurer—Dr. Walker’s Complexion—The Negro a Novelty.

CHAPTER XX.
Appearance, Manners, Habits178

Description—Still a Rustic—Democratic—Remarkable Memory—Shy—His Sermons—The Bible and the Newspaper—Hunting and Fishing—Love for Little Children.

CHAPTER XXI.
Traits and Characteristics184

Patience—Motto of Dr. Walker’s Life—The Faithful Minister and His Trials—Humility—Gratitude—Other Characteristics—Not a Perfect Man.

CHAPTER XXII.
Conclusion191

God’s Best Gift to Man—The Magnetism of Goodness—Scope of Influence—Goodness is Communicable—The Real Forces of Life.