56

treat it." The people were astonished, but the appointed hour found a crowded house, and proved the beginning of a successful revival meeting." Scott's ability as speaker may be illustrated by the following incident. In 1830, while preaching on his favorite theme of the Messiahship before a large crowd in a grove near Wheeling, Virginia, he had as one of his audience a noted auditor, usually very calm and self composed-Alexander Campbell. Since Scott was at his best, Campbell became enthused: his eyes flashed, his face glowed, and at last he shouted, "Glory to God in the highest."'"

958

In spite of his oratorical and evangelistic gifts, however, Scott was often deficient in tact and guilty of repartee not conducive to harmony. Thus, at Salem, after he had baptized forty people in ten days as converts to Christ, without reference to creed, he raised opposition by asking, "Who will now say there is a Baptist church in Salem?" On another occasion, a man who was unfriendly to Scott's preaching and on notoriously bad terms with all his neighbors declared to the evangelist, "I want to see more heart religion in it;" the reply was, "Aye, and I want to see a man not keep all his religion in his heart, but let some of it come out so his neighbors can see it."" Again, to a Method

55 Davis, M. M. Century, 164, 165. 56 Ibid., 165. Davis, M. M.

58 Hayden, A. S. 59 Ibid., 833.

The Restoration Movement of the Nineteenth

How the Disciples Began and Grew, 207.

Disciples in Western Reserve, 117.

ist lady who had said, "You have to sing our songs," Scott replied, "We ought to; we get your converts."" The evangelist's talents, nevertheless, multiplied as they were by efficient helpers, brought marked success. Thus, he reported in 1829:

"The Gospel, since last year, has been preached with great success in Palmyra, Deerfield, Randolph, Shalersville, Nelson, Hiram, etc., etc., by Bros. Finch, Hubbard, Ferguson, Bosworth, Hayden, and others. Several new churches have been formed; and so far as I am enabled to judge, the congregations are in a very flourishing condition.

99 61

Scott combined other labors with his preaching. In the autumn of 1836, Bacon College was founded at Georgetown, and Scott served as president for a while." In 1844, he was located at Pittsburg again, where he preached for the church, and for the one at Allegheny City. Moreover, he edited the Protestant Unionist, which did good service to Protestantism as a whole and to the Disciples of Christ in particular." In addition, Scott helped further the growth of the organization idea which became prominent in the forties. In Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, Indiana, and Iowa, as well as in Virginia and a few other states, the feeling developed that in order to do the work well, a definite and earnest co-operation was necessary.

64

00 Hayden, A. 8. Disciples in Western Reserve, 173.

Ibid., 178.

Moore, W. T. A Comprehensive History of the Disciples of Christ, 358.

6 Davis, M. M. The Restoration Movement of the Nineteenth Öentury, 165.

64 Moore, W. T. A Comprehensive History, 412.

The closing years of Scott's life were spent at Mayslick, Kentucky, from which place he made frequent evangelistic trips, and occasional visits to Alexander Campbell at Bethany." In August, 1851, he delivered three eloquent sermons at New Lisbon, the place where he had first preached the Gospel steps a quarter of a century before. Much time during these last years was devoted to his principal work, The Messiahship, which was published in 1859. It was highly commended by Campbell as a “very readable, interesting, edifying, cheering, and fascinating volume from his most estimable, companionable and amiable fellow-laborer in the great cause of Reformation." "6 Richardson, probably a better judge than his father-in-law, said: "This work contained many fine thoughts and interesting analyses of the great themes of redemption, and constituted an earnest plea for the union of Christians in the simple primitive faith."" Scott finished his work here at Mayslick, about two years later, April 23, 1861."

It is hard to overemphasize his importance to the Disciples of Christ. Alexander Campbell ranked him next to his father." W. T. Moore, one of the leading historians of the movement, summed up Scott's contributions to the Disciples as follows:

65 Richardson, R. Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, II., 587.

* Ibid., II., 641.

67 Ibid., II., 641.

68 Millennial Harbinger, II., 415.

Davis, M. M.

Century, 166.

The Restoration Movement of the Nineteenth

1. Insistence on the personal element and the preaching of Christ.

2. Insistence that baptism is the consummating act of the sinner's return to God.

3. Emphasis on the promises to baptized believers: remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of eternal life."

In the words of another historian:

"The big four of the current Reformation are Thomas Campbell, Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone, and Walter Scott. The last named is fourth in enumeration, but by no means fourth in distinctive importance. In originality of conception, vigor of presentation, enthusiasm, courage, boldness and eloquence he comes near heading the list. He was not the initiator or representative of any organized movement within the church like his three illustrious comrades, but so far as the distinctiveness of his contributions to the new movement was concerned, he stands first in historical and theological importance.'' "

70 A Comprehensive History, 186-189.

71 Haley, J. J. Makers and Molders of the Reformation Movement, 59.

IV

RELATIONS TO OTHER RELIGIOUS BODIES -THE PRESBYTERIANS

Ꮤ

HEN Thomas Campbell landed at Philadelphia in May, 1807, he found the Seceder Synod in session there, and upon presenting his credentials, he was cordially received and immediately assigned to the Presbytery of Chartiers in western Pennsylvania. In this charge in Washington County, he found old friends and acquaintances, and soon became popular with his neighbors. The Seceder congregations were pleased with his earnestness, piety, and ability. Some of his fellow ministers, notwithstanding, soon began to think that he was too liberal in his views. On one occasion, when he was deputed to visit a few scattered members who lived some distance up the Allegheny above Pittsburg, and, aided by a Mr. Wilson, help celebrate communion, he was so touched by the destitute condition of members of other branches of the Presbyterian family, members who had not partaken of the Lord's Supper for years, that he lamented existing party divisions, and suggested that all pious persons who felt willing and prepared enjoy with them the benefits of com