Walker, Jeremiah

Walker, Jeremiah a Baptist minister, was born in Bute County, N.C., about the year 1747. He is said to have been a lad of remarkable precocity, and was distinguished for his love of books and his desire for mental improvement. When comparatively young, he became a hopeful Christian, and in due time began to preach. His associations with his brethren, who, however, were good men, and in many respects well fitted to the spheres in which they were called to labor, did not help him much in his mental development. But, as his biographer tells us, "the invincible energies of his genius towered above every obstruction." For some time he preached in the neighborhood of his native place and in Pittsylvania County, Va. In 1769 he became the pastor of a newly formed Church in Amelia County. Here he entered upon a career of great usefulness. In a few years, with the assistance which he had from others, especially a number of young preachers who had been trained by him, he established between thirty and forty churches south of James River. In these churches there were not a few persons of character and influence, who afterwards became distinguished as ministers of the Gospel. As a preacher, Mr. Walker was equaled by few of any denomination. He suffered persecution, as did so many of the Virginia Baptist ministers, and was thrown into prison. When released, he continued to preach with great success for some time. But he came under a cloud, overtaken by temptation; and although, after having passed through discipline, he was restored, he never resumed the place he once occupied among the ministers of his denomination. His last illness was attended with great physical suffering. He died, as was believed, a humble Christian, accepted by his Lord in spite of all his frailties. His death occurred Sept. 20, 1792. See Benedict, History of the Baptists, 2, 390. (J. C. S.)