During the summer of 1891, Dr. Walker in company with the Rev. E. R. Carter of Atlanta, Ga. took an extensive trip through Europe and the Holy land and besides staying for awhile in England and on the Continent and in Asia, he took a peep over in to Africa. On his return he lectured throughout the South and in Boston and New York and every where with profit and success. Many of the leading newspapers throughout country spoke in terms of praise and admiration of the wonderful preacher and lecturer.
The Rev Dr. Walker is only 34 years old—quite young indeed to have accomplished so much for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom.
When Rev. Mr. Walker was leaving Hephzibah, in 1880, for LaGrange, one of his white friends, Col. A. C. Walker, gave him a letter of recommendation which speaks for itself. Here is what the letter said:
“The bearer, Rev. C. T. Walker, is the fourth in descent from a family of Negroes brought from Virginia to Burke county by my grand father in 1773. As slaves they were noted for their admirable qualities and as freemen have sustained their reputation.
Charles, by his energy, has obtained an excellent education and for two years has been licensed teacher of one our public schools. His character is irreproachable in all respects and by none is he esteemed more than by the more intelligent white citizens among whom he lives. It gives me great pleasure to testify to his worth and I most respectfully ask for him the generous consideration of the new people, with whom he is about to cast his lot. We sincerely regret his departure from among us, as he was exercising a most happy influence with his own race here.”
Rev. Walker came to Augusta in 1883. In 1885, upon the completion of Tabernacle church, and on the day of its dedication all the papers of Augusta spoke in highest praise of the work accomplished and invariably referred to the edifice as an everlasting monument to the perseverance and energy of the pastor, Rev. C. T. Walker.
Rev. Walker spent the fall of 1886 in the North, soliciting funds to complete the payment of his church property. His church had by their own efforts paid $10,000 of the $12,000, which the lot and edifice cost. He carried many letters of recommendation from leading men of the South.
Dr. Love, of Savannah, pastor of the largest Baptist church in the world, wrote: “Rev. Charles T. Walker is one of the leading men of Georgia and is alright.”
Prof Wm. E. Holmes of the Atlanta Baptist Seminary, wrote: “I cheerfully recommend Rev. Mr. Walker and his cause to the public and bespeak for him the success which he richly deserves.”
Hon. Patrick Walsh, editor of the Augusta Chronicle wrote: “Rev. Walker is doing a great good among his people. His church is a great credit and both he and his people are worthy of substantial aid.”