He at once proved himself a valuable addition to this struggling congregation. Although he did not immediately take a public part in the services, his genial presence, zealous devotion, and Christian culture were an inspiration to the whole congregation. He humbly accepted the position of learner, continued his diligent search of the Scriptures and rejoiced in his new-found faith. In the meantime Mr. Forrester, desiring to devote himself exclusively to religious work, turned over the management of the school to his talented assistant. Mr. Scott’s original methods of instruction, his pleasing manner and faultless character won for his school a wide reputation and patronage. Had success in this line been the goal of his ambition, his situation would have proved eminently satisfactory; but this was not his ambition. The more he studied the Bible the more he felt drawn toward the ministry of the Word. A new world of religious truth was gradually unfolding before him. He soon found that even his teachers in this new religious school but partially apprehended the divine purpose and method in the world’s salvation. From his study of the Bible, especially Acts of Apostles, which now enlisted his attention, the plan of redemption began to take form in his mind. Conversion had always been a perplexing subject to him, but in the light of this book all mystery fled. He now found that all who heard, believed and obeyed the glad message of salvation were filled with peace and joy in believing. While pursuing this line of investigation a small tract, sent out by an obscure congregation in New York, fell into his hands. The views expressed in it so perfectly coincided with those he now held that he determined to get acquainted with its authors, feeling that such an association would add greatly to his Christian knowledge. He, therefore, at once severed his connection with the school and set out in search for more light upon the great religious problems that now consumed his thought. The visit proved a keen disappointment. He found the practice of the church much different from what he had been led to expect from their publication. So after a short sojourn in the city, with a heavy heart he continued his journey, visiting Baltimore and Washington, in each of which he had learned of small congregations of independent believers; but these visits only added to his disappointment. These early attempts at religious reformation were not always successful and frequently resulted in a caricature of the thing attempted. In describing his fruitless journey he said: I went thither, and having searched them up I discovered them to be so sunken in the mire of Calvinism that they refused to reform; and so finding no pleasure in them I left them. I then went to the Capitol, and, climbing up to its lofty dome, I sat myself down, filled with sorrow at the miserable desolation of the Church of God.