The Denver star., 1916-05-20
THRIFTY BUSINESS MAN
AND RELIGIOUS LEADER
Rise of Rev. Dr.. Thomas X. 3. Walker
of Palatka, Fla.

falatka, Fla.-Palatka Justly claims
one OF the most energetic and useful
men of the race in the person of the
Rev. DIR. Thomas H b. Walker, pastor
Of the Methodist Episcopal church and
a general all round Christian worker
He Is yet very young in age, but the
amount OF work he has done puts him
in the class of a veteran. AS minis
ter Of the gospel he has served the
largest charges in the state, rendering
good and efficient service. AS preach
er he stands second to none in the
state. His work has largely been in
the Florida and South Florida confer
ences of the Methodist Episcopal
church. Because of his work and
worth to the church and state his con-
ference selected him as the head of
the delegations to the general confer
ence of the Methodist Episcopal church
in Saratoga, n. Y.
As writer and author he takes his
place among the best He has turned
out several books. The Unknown
Man." Revelation and Epic" The
President of Liberia Bobby, the Vic
torio1s Preacher" and several others
have taken their place as literary
standards. While others are writing
photo plays and putting them on can
vas DR.. Walker is as busy writing
about the Negro and throwing his
progress on canvas. He Is showing to
the world the real progress made by
the Negro race from slavery to the
present time. and in this he is render
ing a great service to the race and
helping to make sentiment for 1t.
Down In Dixie is the subject Of Il
play which is now being thrown on
canvas and shows the wonderful or
gAnic forces at work in the southland
for racial development. This has been
witnessed by thousands of people. 1t
deals with real life among our people
in business. in school, in church and in
societies, pleading at the bar, preach
ing from the sacred rostrum and strug-
Cling to get foothold on the earth.
Dr.xNalker is mindful OF the fact
that zRvery once existed in this coun-
try and that the race has only been
free about fifty years; hence he brings
before the people the great emancipa-
tor. Abraham Lincoln. Then he shows
some OF the men who have made good
in life. some ex-slaves and sons and
daughters of slaves.
His name is perhaps known better
TO the public as the founder Of the st.
Joseph Aid society. an organization
that is but eighteen years old. yet has
a membership of 65.oOo. 1t pays out
annually about $4,000 to its members
who become sick and to the widows
and orphans of deceased members.
Through his preaching many have
been brought into the church. Then
through his doctrine of self help, In
dustry, honesty and reliability many
young people have been led into the
buying Of homes aud beautifying them.
He is actually a product of the doc
trine he breaches. In Jacksonville,
where lives his family, he owns some
good real estate and his home Is one OF
the prettiest and finest owned by any
member Of the race.
With a desire TO reach the unreached
and to help his race to higher things.
Dr. Walker is forging to the front and
is daily on the firing line OF racial eff
fort. While in Saratoga DIR. Walker
exhibited many pictures showing our
"rogress along various lines of activity.