“The object of this meeting is to give expression to our feelings regarding the return of Dr. C. T. Walker to the pastorate in this city, and to demonstrate the regard in which we hold him and the real need we feel for his presence.
“We desire to show the country the supreme regard in which we hold this man whose labors for the betterment of no race or clan, but of all humanity have made him a worthy servant of his Master and an able leader of the people.
“We want our brethren in New York City to feel that we desire not to take from them that which is theirs, but merely to claim our own. Under sufferance we have remained silent until this time, when we are forced by absolute necessity to call upon our metropolitan friends to return our Joseph to his brethren and our Moses to his people.
“Bishop R. S. Williams, of the C. M. E. Church, will preside.
“Addresses will be made by Rev. W. J. White, D. D., pastor Harmony Baptist Church; Rev. H. Seb. Doyle, M. A., pastor of Trinity C. M. E. Church; Rev. C. S. Wilkins, D. D., pastor Thankful Baptist Church; Rev. W. C. Gaines, pastor Bethel A. M. E. Church; Rev. D. S. Klugh, pastor Union Baptist Church; Rev. F. M. Hyder, pastor Christ Presbyterian Church; Rev. D. J. Flynn, pastor Congregational Church; Rev. S. X. Floyd, A. M., District Missionary American Baptist Publication Society; Rev. J. W. Whitehead, pastor of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church; Rev G. W. Harrison, pastor Macedonia Baptist Church; Rev. R. J. Johnson; Rev. A. W. Wilson, pastor Hosanna Baptist Church; Rev. F. M. Hauser, pastor Woodlawn Baptist Church: Rev. Thomas Walker, Dr. George N. Stoney, Dr. W. T. Prichett, Dr. G. S. Burruss, Dr. N. A. Mixson, Dr. A. N. Gordon, Dr. R. C. Williams, P. H. Craig, Esq., Principal Nellieville School; A. W. Wimberly, Esq., Collector Internal Revenue; G. J. Scott, Esq., President Union Relief Association; Prof. N. W. Curtright, Principal Walker Baptist Institute; Rev. G. H. Dwelle, pastor Springfield Baptist Church; Prof. A. R. Johnson, Principal Mauge Street School; Prof. I. Blocker, Principal Second Ward School; Dr. Geo. W. Walker, President Paine College; W. J. White, Jr., Associate Editor Georgia Baptist; L. E. Moseley, President Morning Stars of Benevolence; H. B. Sweet, President Brothers and Sisters of Love; John G. Williams, merchant; H. C. Young, merchant; F. M. Dugas, undertaker; A. J. Winter, President Painters’ Union; R. R. Battey, wheelwright; H. D. Paschal, shoemaker; T. B. Newsome, tailor, and other citizens, white and colored. Music under the direction of Wesley Warren, Choirmaster, and Prof. W. H. E. Carter, Organist.
Thus, two churches, separated by more than 800 miles, were claiming and clamoring for the same man to serve them as pastor. The battle waged for many weeks, or until Dec. 1, 1901, when Dr. Walker decided to continue the pastorate of Mt. Olivet Church with an assistant pastor, keeping his headquarters in New York City, but, in obedience to the wishes of the Augusta church, he agreed to become the nominal pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church. Under this arrangement, he is to visit the Southern church two or three times a year, and, in his absence, he is to supply the pulpit. This arrangement pleased all concerned, and, for the present, seems to be working well.
CHAPTER XVI.
EXTRACTS FROM SERMONS.
Wednesday, June 6, 1888, by appointment of the Missionary Baptist State Convention of Georgia, the Rev. Mr. Walker preached the opening sermon in honor of the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Negro Baptist Church in Georgia. The centennial exercises were conducted on a grand scale, running through ten days, and the fact that he was selected to preach the opening sermon shows the esteem in which he was held by his brethren. Following are some extracts from the sermon preached by the great leader and preacher at that time:
WHAT HATH GOD WROUGHT.
“‘According to this time it shall be said, What hath God wrought.’—Numbers 23:23.