“I state my conviction to you and to my comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic, who are members of this church, by saying that Dr. Walker owes a duty to the members of this church which has so wonderfully prospered under him, that should be as sacred as the one he seeks to discharge in that far distant city of Augusta, Georgia. He has instilled into the hearts of all who have been so fortunate as to hear him preach, a clearer understanding of Christ crucified and the forgiveness of those who trespass against us; the work he bravely and uncomplainingly has done in the building up of the Young Men’s Christian Association, together with his undying loyalty to us as a race, has not only touched the hearts of those who know him best, but has been felt far and wide. I know, too, something of the injustice he has suffered while doing the bidding of our Heavenly Father, but with a Christian spirit he has forgiven those who would spitefully use him, and prayed for those who wronged him.

“The gathering memories of olden days always gather about me as I cross the threshold of this church, and to-night more so than ever. The traveler standing in the beautiful Valley of Chamonix, at the base of Mont Blanc, fails to realize the stupendous height of that snow-capped peak, but when miles distant he turns back and beholds it towering far above its compeers, he recognizes its claim to be called the Monarch of Mountains.

“It is so with Dr. Walker. Now that his resignation has been placed in your hands, your judgments have matured and you realize the difficulties he has overcome, the Christian works he has accomplished, and the blessings he has brought to the people, his retention becomes precious and priceless to you.

“He is the beau ideal of a minister. His Christianity is the natural growth of his life. His fame as a preacher has come to him unsought, his administration of the finances of your church has been successful because it has been based on honesty. His achievements since he has been a resident of this imperial city compel admiration; they touch the finer chords of our nature. They inspire feelings akin to those we experience in listening to the grand strains of an oratorio. His success is not the success that makes fools admired and villains honest. It is not the success of accident, which bursts forth like a meteor and as suddenly disappears; it is not that acquired by selfishness, that is tinctured with envy, jealousy, hypocrisy, or refuses to lend a helping hand, but it has been a success that was established upon morals, worth, courage, justice and honor.

“Rev. Dr. Walker, I give you my hand, and I want you to understand, Sir, that when I give you my hand as Assistant Inspector of the Department of New York, Grand Army of the Republic, 78,599 of the boys who wore the blue in that memorable crisis are taking you by the hand and urging you to remain among us.

“The G. A. R. bids you remain. We wish that your life may be spared many years; that abundance, prosperity, and happiness may attend you and this church. This, I am sure, is not only the hearty wish of every one present, but also that of every colored man, woman and child from the Battery to the Spuyten Duyvil.”

It is not to be doubted that the great interest shown by all classes in having Dr. Walker remain in New York had much to do with his subsequent decision.

Meanwhile the people of Augusta were not sleeping; they had a mass meeting, also, as the following circular will show:

“A mass meeting of the officers, members, friends and well-wishers of Tabernacle Baptist Church will be held in the church on Monday evening, November 18, 1901, at 8 o’clock. Ministers of all the denominations (white and colored), professional and business men, the presidents and prominent men of the fraternal and benevolent organizations, together with the political and prominent educational leaders of the city of Augusta, will be present to join in the urgent request to Dr. Charles Thomas Walker not to alter his determination to resume his pastorate at Augusta, Ga.

“All citizens of Augusta and vicinity are invited to attend a mass meeting to be held at Tabernacle Baptist Church on Monday night, November 18, 1901.