| 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 Childhood | 25 |
| 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 Period | 29 |
| 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 Pastorates | 35 |
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 Augusta | 39 |
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 Augusta | 47 |
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 Georgia | 55 |
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 Land | 59 |
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 Abroad | 69 |
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 Figure | 77 |
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 Evangelist | 88 |
Sphere Limited—Powers as an Evangelist—The New York Campaign—At Atlanta—In Kansas City. | |
| CHAPTER XIII. | |
| Leaves Augusta—Goes to New York | 98 |
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 Again | 115 |
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 Sermons | 125 |
What Hath God Wrought—Go Forward—Infallible Proofs of the Resurrection. | |
| CHAPTER XVII. | |
| Extracts from Orations and Addresses | 138 |
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 Newspapers | 155 |
The Examiner—Sun—World—Journal—Tribune—Times—Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle—Fall River (Mass.) Evening News—Georgia Baptist—Augusta Chronicle—Georgia Baptist. | |
| CHAPTER XIX. | |
| Anecdotes | 171 |
“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, Habits | 178 |
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 Characteristics | 184 |
Patience—Motto of Dr. Walker’s Life—The Faithful Minister and His Trials—Humility—Gratitude—Other Characteristics—Not a Perfect Man. | |
| CHAPTER XXII. | |
| Conclusion | 191 |
God’s Best Gift to Man—The Magnetism of Goodness—Scope of Influence—Goodness is Communicable—The Real Forces of Life. |