Book excerpt: Robert Hawker was considered as the "Star of the West", due to his superlative preaching that drew thousands to Charles to hear him speak for over an hour at a time. He was a bold Evangelical, caring father, active in education and compassionate for the poor and needy of the parish, a scholar and author of many books and deeply beloved of his parishioners. Described as "one of Almighties almoners/Entrusted with supernatural wealth" .