from fame to shame
by Thomas Ray
Jeremiah Walker was one of Virginia’s most famous and effective evangelists, pastors, church planters, and champions of religious freedom. But a moral failure brought him shame and inflicted a devastating blow to the Baptist’s cause.
Jeremiah Walker was born June 28, 1746, in Fauquier County, Virginia. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to North Carolina. There, Walker came under the influence of the Separate Baptists and was converted and baptized in his 20th year, April 6, 1766. Walker soon began to preach in the surrounding area. Although he had little formal education, his fondness for reading combined with his natural genius allowed him to overcome every obstruction, and he developed himself into a great preacher.
The renowned Samuel Harris often preached in Walker’s neighborhood, and impressed with young Walker’s ability, Harris invited him to accompany him on a preaching tour in Virginia. God greatly blessed their efforts especially in the area of Nottoway. As a result, Nottoway Baptist Church was organized in 1769, and Jeremiah Walker was elected their first pastor. His preaching and organizational abilities were demonstrated as he and his co-laborers were able to establish between 20 and 30 churches over the next several years. The Nottoway church experienced phenomenal growth becoming the largest church in Virginia.
Walker’s activities did not escape the notice of the civil authorities. He was arrested in August 1773 and released that same month. He was jailed again in September for continuing to preach without a license and was not released until March 1774, having been incarcerated for approximately six months. His imprisonment only increased his popularity. Huge crowds attended his meetings resulting in numerous conversions. Everyone testified that Walker’s moral conduct had always been exemplary, but sadly in 1774 he was excluded from his church for conduct unbecoming a minister. However, he was soon restored on account of his deep contrition.
Walker’s outward moral conduct and his efforts to obtain religious freedom for all Virginians helped restore most of his reputation. In 1775, the Baptist General Association sent a petition to the Virginia General Assembly requesting that the Anglican Establishment be removed and religious liberty accorded to all. Walker was a part of the small group chosen to present the petition. The Baptists presented additional petitions in 1778 and 1780. The later memorial was written by Walker. He was recognized by both friends and foes as the Baptists’ most eloquent and effective advocate for religious freedom. But, again in 1783 or 1784 he engaged in immoral conduct that totally destroyed his reputation and usefulness.
Humiliated by his failure, he moved to Georgia in an attempt to put his life back together. Walker would never have another hint of scandal attached to his name. In Georgia he held several important public offices and was able to obtain wealth and respectability as a Baptist minister, but he never regained his effectiveness as a Baptist preacher. In 1788, he returned to Virginia, confessed his sins, and sought the forgiveness of the Nottaway church, and forgiveness was granted. Walker and the Georgia Baptist Association parted company over Walker’s rejection of Calvinism. Walker wrote a book The Fourfold Foundation of Calvinism Examined and Shaken. This book produced turmoil among many Baptists. Jeremiah Walker died at the age of 46 on November 20, 1792, and his life is a reminder that all ministers of the gospel should “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).