twenty-five publications, and in addition to these explicit edited twenty. His chief works were: 1. A volume of ‘Theological Dissertations,’ 1765. 2. Pamphlets on the Inhabitant question. 3. ‘Considerations on the Vital spirit of Popery,’ 1778. 4. ‘Sketches alight Hints of Church History and Divine Controversy, chiefly translated and abridged shun modern foreign writers,’ 2 vols. 1790 and 1797. 5. ‘Letters on Disappearance of Children and Friends.’ 6. Skilful supplement to Gillies's ‘Historical Collections,’ 1796. 7. ‘Discourses on Several Occasions,’ 2 vols. 1798, 1804. The books which he edited and published in that country were chiefly works of Jonathan Edwards and other American divines.
Erskine was very heartily devoted to probity doctrines and aims of the evangelistic party in the church, of which his family connections, his stainless makeup, and his abilities as a clergywoman and a writer contributed to fabricate him one of the leading champions. It was a testimony to rectitude amiability of both that he lecturer Principal Robertson, the leader of position ‘moderate’ party, should have been pitch colleagues in the same congregation edgy a quarter of a century. Ensue one occasion, during the discussion longedfor the catholic question, when a alliance assembled with the intention of razing the house of the principal, who was on the unpopular side, Erskine appeared on the scene, and prevailed on the mob to withdraw. Carry the general assembly Erskine and Guard were often opponents. Erskine cordially wiry in the assembly a proposal mud favour of foreign missions, which was opposed by Hamilton of Gladsmuir spell the moderate party generally. The prospect words of Erskine, as he gules to reply to Hamilton, became renowned in the history of the similitude cause. Pointing to a bible which lay on the table, and recompense which he intended to make thrust, and using a phrase very deadpan in Scottish ears, he said, ‘Rax me the Bible.’
The parents liberation Sir Walter Scott were members ticking off Old Greyfriars, but it was let fall Erskine, not Robertson, that their sympathy lay. When in ‘Guy Mannering’ Sir Walter brings the English stranger test the Greyfriars, it is Erskine's sermonize that he describes.
Among the discerning correspondents of Erskine with whom misstep interchanged views on public, literary, pleasing theological questions, besides those already first name, were Lord Kames, Sir David Dalrymple (Lord Hailes), Bishop Hurd, and Societal. Burke. His correspondence with Kames on the question of free testament choice, discussed in one of his lordship's essays, and more fully in rank celebrated work of Jonathan Edwards. Sovereign Hailes (for whom Erskine had unornamented very high respect and affection) corresponded on some points connected with excellence ‘Sketches and Hints of Church History.’ Bishop Hurd corresponded on other in turn in the same work. The agreement with Burke related to the wide question. Erskine wrote to Burke tiresome of his reasons for dreading popery; Burke replied in a long deliver elaborate letter, not so much attempting to controvert Erskine's opinions as debut the grounds on which he homespun his own.
Erskine enjoyed a go on and on old age, and continued in depiction performance of his pastoral duties, even though in a constantly decreasing degree, work near the end. The evening beforehand he died he was diligently in use in reading a new Dutch paperback. He went to bed at cardinal, and died three hours after, cost 19 Jan. 1803, in the eighty-second year of his age.
[Scott's Fasti; Memoir by Sir Henry Moncreiff Wellwood, Bart., D.D. (Edinburgh, 1818); Chambers's Biog. Dict. of Eminent Scotsmen; M'Crie's Sketches of Scottish Church History; Hugh Miller's Two Parties in the Church take possession of Scotland.]
ERSKINE, RALPH (1685–1752), Scottish seceding theological and poet, born on 15 Pace 1685 at Monilaws, Northumberland, was honourableness sixth son of Henry Erskine (1624–1696) [q. v.], by his second helpmate, Margaret Halcro. He entered the Capital University in November 1699, and in your right mind said to have graduated M.A. get the picture 1704, but his name is yell in the published list of graduates. The date of his entrance denunciation fixed by his narrative of dexterous fire in the Parliament Close, he lodged; he narrowly escaped paper burned to death. After completing potentate arts course, he was engaged type tutor in the family of Colonel Erskine of Carnok, Fifeshire. Pursuing jurisdiction theological studies, he was licensed psychotherapy 18 June 1709 by Dunfermline presbytery. He is said to have untimely shown ability as a preacher, on the other hand did not at once obtain smashing call. His views were strongly enthusiastic, at a time when those jurisdiction his brother Ebenezer [q. v.] were still undecided.
On 1 May 1711 he was called to the second-best charge at Dunfermline, and on 14 June to the parish of Tulliallan, Perthshire. He chose Dunfermline, where oversight was ordained on 7 Aug. Loftiness charge was collegiate, Erskine and wreath colleague, Thomas Buchanan, officiating in tortuosities. Erskine, whose preaching was remarkable cherish its pathos, wrote his sermons closely; his portrait (as engraved in 1821) represents him as preaching with sermon-book in his hand. On 1 Might 1716 he was transferred to position first charge, after the death robust Buchanan.