HE names of Alexander Campbell and Walter Scott will ever be linked together, as workers, true and earnest, in the same noble cause; and one will as readily suggest the other, as the name of Luther calls up that of Melancthon, or Wesley's that of Whitefield. In no sense were they rivals, any more than Moses and Aaron, or Paul and Silas; but like them, with different gifts, devoting their lives to the accomplishment of the same glorious end. Campbell was always great and self-possessed; Scott subject to great depression, and, consequently, unequal in his public efforts; but at times he knew a rapture, which seemed almost inspiration, to which the former was a stranger. Campbell never fell below the expectation of his hearers, Scott frequently did; but there were times when he rose to a height of eloquence which the former never equaled. If Campbell at times reminded his hearers of Paul on Mars Hill, commanding the attention of the assembled wisdom of Athens; Scott, in his happiest moments, seemed more like Peter on the memorable Pentecost, with the cloven tongue of flame on his head, and the inspiration of the Spirit of Truth in his heart, while from heart-pierced sinners on every side rose the agonizing cry, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

      Few men have convinced more skeptics of the folly of unbelief, than Alexander Campbell. Multitudes of men, confused by the discords and distractions of religious parties, have learned from his teaching that there is a more excellent way than that taught by the mere sect or party, and, being satisfied that [162] he taught the way of God in truth, have walked in it; and yet, though he thus won many to Christ, some of whom have, in turn, been the happy instruments of bringing hundreds and thousands to the Savior, he never moved the hearts of the masses in his public addresses, as did Walter Scott. I have heard them both, frequently, before ordinary congregations, and assemblies of from three to ten thousand. I never listened to any man who could hold the attention of an audience longer and better than Alexander Campbell, and send away his hearers so delighted and instructed. Walter Scott, on ordinary, and even on great occasions, would often fail to fix the attention of his hearers; of this he was painfully conscious, and would express it by saying the smile of the Lord was not on him; but when he enjoyed that smile he seemed almost inspired, and his audience wholly entranced. Oh! how lovely he could make Christ appear; how dark and cruel man's ingratitude! Oh! how he could paint the vileness of sin, and the infinite compassion of him who died for our sins! How he could portray the woe of the lost, and the bliss of the saved; of heaven the glory and of hell the gloom; and with what earnest and affectionate tenderness he would entreat and beseech lost sinners to be reconciled to God.

      Campbell addressed himself mainly to the understanding of his hearers, and was, confessedly, one of the ablest controversialists of his day; Scott did not forget that the mind must be enlightened, and the judgment convinced, and few men were clearer or more convincing in their exhibitions of truth; but when that was accomplished he drove right at the heart. [163]

      Scott was about middle height, quite erect, well formed, easy and graceful in all his movements; his hair black and glossy, even to advanced age; he had piercing black eyes, which seemed at one time to burn, at another, to melt; his face was a remarkable one, the saddest, or gladdest, as melancholy or joy prevailed; his voice was one of the richest I ever heard, suited to the expression of every emotion of the soul--and when his subject took full possession of him, he was an orator. I have heard Bascom, and Stockton, and many other gifted ministers, but none to compare with him; he stands alone.

      Scott's power, however, was over the hearts of men, and of the masses; his dark eyes seemed to penetrate the secrets of the soul, and his voice was soothing or terrible as he gave utterance to the promises or threatenings of the Word of God. Multitudes were awakened under his preaching to the peril of their souls, and pointed successfully to the Lamb of God, and, on some occasions, bitter enemies, and violent persecutors were changed, almost as suddenly as Saul of Tarsus, and became not only faithful Christians, but firm and life-long friends of the preacher whom they once had threatened and reviled.

      Campbell's greatness and strength may, in a great measure, be realized by a careful study of his writings; but the noblest efforts of his worthy fellow-laborer, as far as the expression is concerned, perished, almost at their birth, they could not be reproduced by either speaker or hearer; the impression made on the minds and hearts of those who heard him, will never fade until all things else shall fade. But the tablets on which those memories dear and sweet are written, are perishable, and when the [164] present generation passes, or, rather, when the remnant of those who heard him in his prime which yet lingers shall have passed away, the world will not know any thing, save by dim and imperfect tradition, of the wonderful eloquence of this gifted, this princely man. [165]

[LWSA 162-165]