The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1913-08-01
front RANK FOR
/. men OF Merit
People Show Preference For
Well Trained Leaders.
GAIN IN RELIGIOUS CULTURE

High Standard Of Efficiency Among
Ministers 10 Dsmandsd-What tho
Rev. Dr.. p. W. Walls Has Accom-.
pIishsd as Pastor Of St. Johns A. M.
e. Church In Birmingham.
Birmingham, Ala.-The various re-
igious denominations Of the race are
placing in their churches trained min
listers as leaders of the people. These
prepared men are doing much for the
moral, religious and spiritual uplift
of the young people in particular and
OF the masses generally regardless OF
age.
Standing in the front rank Of pulpit
orators and efficient trained pastors
Il the Rev. P. w. Walls, Phi. D., D. D..
pastor of st. Johns A. M. q. church.
this city. 1t was during the civil war
aud perhaps right in the thickest Of
the battle that this master Of the ros
trum was born in Memphis, Tenn.
When the smoke Of battle had fully
blown away and the school was
thrown open to the freedmen he had
reached the school age and was among
the early pupils in the Memphis public
school system. 1t was in this city that
he received his elementary training.
Being bright in his studies, he won
many friends among the teachers and
was a favorite. He took hold Of the
good advice which was given to him
from time to time. and it is not sur
prising to note that he was found In
Berea college, Kentucky. where he
took on his real literary work. Fin
ishing from the college course, he
wended his way to Cannon Theology
cal seminary, there to become trained
for his life's work and the highest
calling-the ministry.
Like most of the young men Of the
race. he had to work his way through
school. He taught for awhile In Ken,
lucky and Tennessee and for a short
time was principal Of the public school
In Paris. Tenn, and in Columbus, Ky
As q teacher he stood in the front rank
of the profession. He was among the
few who made first grade rank in the
state teachers examination. Between
preaching and teaching he was kept
busy. He was one Of the professors
Of Shorter college, North Little Rock,
and was afterward elected president Of
the institution.
DR.. Walls subsequently decided to
devote his whole time to the ministry.
He served acceptably as presiding eld'
er under Bishop Evans Tyree in the
Arkansas district. His flrst large con-
gregation was in Arkansas, at Carriers g
chapter, In Helena. He also pastored
Visitors chapel in Hot Springs and the
st. Johns A. M. e. church at Pine Bluff
II was during his ministry in the above
places that his superior gifts as pas
tor and leader manifested themselves.
During the fall conferences Of 1907
Bishop B. F. Lee appointed DR.. Walls
presiding elder, and he served in that
capacity until 1910, when Bishop Parks
invited DR.. Walls to come to Alabama
and take charge Of St Johns A. NJ. q.
church, which he Is now serving.
Rev. Mr.. Walls Is an aggressive pas
tor, and during the three years he has
been in Birmingham over 300 have
been added to the church. A strong
effort is now being put forth to pur'
chase land on which to erect q new
modern church in a more desirable Sec
don Of the city.
The educational institutions have rec
ognized his worth as minister and
scholar. Cannon Theological semi
nary gave him the dgree Of bachelor OF
divinity; Campbell college. Jackson
Miss, conferred on him the degree OF
doctor of divinity, and Paul Quinn col
lege, Waco. Tex, seeing his worth te
the race, conferred upon him the de-
gree Of doctor Of philosophy.
Ability and worth count for some
thing; hence d. Walls Is much sought
he is invited to various parts Of the
country to deliver special sermons and
addresses. At the last commencement
of Tuskegee institute he delivered an
address to the graduating class from
Phelps Bible school which not only
elected concentrations from the facul
ty and visitors. but brought DR.. Wash
lngton to his feet with glowing words
Of praise and compliments.