and Rabbi Stephen S. Wise[1] of Portland, noted leaders of Jewish thought, found much satisfaction in his writings. Rev. Roland D. Grant,[2] of the Baptists, opened his pulpit to Mr. Scott on Thanksgiving Day, 1895, for the best utterance Mr. Scott ever made on the subject of religion. In Congregational circles Mr. Scott found congenial association and with that church maintained a nominal affiliation. His friendly relations with Rev. T. L. Eliot,[3] Unitarian, began with the arrival of the latter in Portland in 1867 and lasted until Mr. Scott's death. The Christian Science following liked the tolerant spirit of Mr. Scott, and extended to him the privilege of their platform for an address,[4] on November 15, 1903. Although these several sects represented diverging doctrines and his historical and rational studies startled the theologians of each in turn, yet most of them perceived him an exponent of modern scholarship in its inevitable trend toward a truer and fuller expression of religious faith. Ever present in his thought was the motto, "The form of religion passes; the substance is eternal." Men's battles of opinion were over the forms. "The religious nature of man continually struggles for expression," he said in his Thanksgiving day address in 1895, "and its manner of expression changes from age to age. Yet we call each formulated, transitory expression a creed, as if it were to be permanent, and often contend for that creed as if it were the absolute truth; but it passes into something else in the next ages. Yet the religious feeling is the permanent force in the nature of man."
Occasionally there was protest from a clergyman who feared the Editor's inquiries were sapping the strength of belief in particular sects. In 1909 the head of one of the largest church denominations wrote Mr. Scott a letter saying that his articles were "cutting the ground from under the feet" of his church.
- ↑ Rabbi S. S. Wise, head of same congregation, 1901-6; now officiates at Free Synagogue, New York City.
- ↑ Rev. R. D. Grant, pastor First Baptist church, Portland.
- ↑ Dr. Thomas Lamb Eliot (1841 ) was pastor First Unitarian church in Portland until 1891 and has since been pastor emeritus. He has been active in public benevolent enterprises.
- ↑ In this address Mr. Scott introduced Septimus J. Hanna, of Chicago.
