175 OBITUARY NOTICES.
" It was in these pages I first made the acquaintance of my dear friend
Henry Walker, now nearly a quarter of a century ago. He had visited Praed
Street Chapel and given a sketch of the sermon he heard. When Westboume
Park Chapel was opened I came into closer acquaintance with him, and soon
learned to appreciate very highly the fine qualities of his strong, balanced and
noble character.
" First of all, I was attracted by his wide and accurate knowledge. He
had an open mind, and was an eager and strenuous student. To the study of
Nature he was devoted with the ardour and insight of a lover. If geology
stood first amongst the sciences in his esteem, his lectures on that subject
showed that it was first because of its manifold relations to other branches of
inquiry. His library forms, to some extent, a history of his mind. It is
distinctively choice. Its range is wide; but its treasures are the best on its
specially selected themes. Still, his keenest interest was in questions of
Biblical criticism and interpretation. I have known few men who were more
'up to date' in the knowledge of all matters pertaining to the history of the
growth of the Bible, and the scientific exposition of its contents. He was
fully conversant with the best work in this department, and had no misgivings
as to the results of that work in the end of the day. Most likely he had
known and felt the severity of the conflict between the older and the newer
forms of faith; but it was manifest that he had reached the perfect calm of an
unhesitating reliance on the infinite love.
" All his studies were dominated by a keen sympathy with human pro-
gress. His book on the condition of the people in the East End of London,
and his papers on Liverpool, show the absorbing interest he had in everything
human. For his was an intrinsically religious spirit : and his motives sprang
from divine ideals for himself, for the individual man, for the city and for the
race.
" The readers of the Bayswater Chronicle need not be told that what he
knew and felt he could express with lucidity and strength. He was a master
of style. His tastes were literary; and his speeches at the Westbourne Park
Institute, and in connection with our Rambling Club will be remembered not
only for their fulness of information and rich allusiveness, but also for purity
and grace of expression. Nor shall we ever forget his unfailing courtesy and
gracious consideration for others. He made me think of Emerson's saying,
'Good manners are made up of petty sacrifices. Temperance, courage, love,
are made up of the same jewels.' Such jewels he wore with a naturalness
that added to their charm and an unconstraint that became their commenda-
tion.
" In the removal of Henry Walker, Bayswater has lost one of its best
citizens, a man of blameless character, serene spirit, solid work, and high
ideals."
We are indebted to Mrs. Walker for the loan of the excellent photograph
from which the plate was taken.