BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 171
No. LXXIII.
THE REV. DR. JOHN ERSKINE,
LATE OF THE OLD GREYFRLARS’ CHURCH, EDINBURGH.
THISis a very faithful representation of the above worthy man and no less excellent
divine. The attitude in which he is delineated is that which he invariably
assumed on entering upon his discourse, and is remarkably in unison with the
description of the “ colleague of Dr. Robertson,” furnished by the graphic pen
of Sir Walter Scott, in the novel of Guy 8fannering.l
DK ERSKINEb,o rn on the 2d of June 1721, was the eldest son of John
Erskine, Esq. of Carnock, Professor of Scots Law in the University of Edinburgh,
and well known as the author of the Institutes of the Law of Scotland.
The early education of young Erskine was conducted with a view to the legal
profession, of which his father was so much’an ornament; and although he
had almost from infancy discovered a more than common seriousness of temper,
and, as he advanced in years, manifested a strong predilection in fayour of the
pulpit, he repressed his aspirations so far as to submit to the usual course of
, discipline formerly prescribed in Scotland for those who intended to become
advocates.
He entered the University of Edinburgh towards the end of the year 1734,
where he acquired a thorough classical knowledge, and became acquainted with
the principles of philosophy and law. Among other youths of great promise at
that time at the college, was the late Principal Robertson, with whom young
Erskine formed an intimate friendship, which, notwithstanding the shades of
opinion in matters of church polity, and even in some doctrinal points mutually
entertained by them in after life, continued to be cherished, amid their public
contests, with unabated sincerity. While in the ardent pursuit of his classical
acquirements, however, Dr. Erskine by no means neglected the study of theology ;
on t’he contrary, his predilections in favour of the pulpit had increased, and so
strong was his conviction of the duty of devoting his talents to the service of
religion, that he resolved to acquaint his parents with his determination, and
to endure their utmost opposition. The comparativelypow Presbyterian Church
of Scotland had never been an object of aristocratical ambition ; besides this
pecuniary objection, the friends of young Erskine conceived that the profession
of the law, while it presented awider field, was more adapted for the display of
A remarkably fair complexion, strangely
contrasted with a black wig, without a grain of powder ; a narrow cheat and a stooping posture ;
hands which, placed like props on either side of the pulpit, seemed neceasary rather to support the
person than to assist the gesticulation of the preacher ; a gown (not even that of Geneva), a tumbled
band, and a gesture, which seemed scarcely voluntary, were the fist circumstances which strnck a
stranger.”
1 “ His external appearance was not prepossessing.
172 BIOGRAPHICAL SRETC HES.
his talents, and were therefore entirely hostile to his views. Their opposition,
however, could not shake his resolution-he persevered in his theological studies,
and was, in 1742, licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Dunblane.
The future progress of the young divine, till his settlement in the metropolis,
is easily told :-“ In May 1744 he was ordained minister of Kirkintilloch, in
the Presbytery of Glasgow, where he remained till 1754, when he was presented
to the parish of Culross, in the Presbytery of Dunfermline. In June 1758 he
was translated to the New Greyfriars, one of the churches of Edinburgh, In
November 1766, the University of Glasgow conferred on him the honorary
degree of doctor of divinity; and, in July 1767, he was promoted to the collegiate
charge of the Old Greyfriars, where he had for his colleague his early
friend Dr. Robertson.”
In these various movements towards that field of honour and usefulness in
which his talents ultimately placed him, Dr. Erskine carried along with him
the universal respect of his parishioners. They had been delighted and improved
by his public instructions-and were proud of having had a clergyman
amongst.them, at once combining the rare qualifications of rank, piety, and
learning. He was most exemplary in his official character ; ever ready to assist
and counsel his parishioners, he “grudged no time, and declined no labour, spent
in their service.“
Dr. Erskine was not only zealous for the interests of religion at home, but
equally so for its diffusion abroad ; and in order to obtain the earliest and most
authentic intelligence of the state of the Gospel in the colonies of North America,
where a remarkable concern for religion had manifested itself about the time he
obtained his license, he commenced a correspondence with those chiefly interested
in bringing about that interesting event. He also, some time after, opened
a communication with many distinguished divines on the Continent of Europe
-a correspondence which he unweariedly cultivated during the remainder of
his life. This practice added much to his labour, not only by an increased and
voluminous epistolary intercourse, but in “ being called upon by the friends of
deceased divines to correct and superintend the publication of posthumous
wor ks.”l
In his Continental correspondence, the Doctor had seriously felt the want of
a knowledge of the Dutch and German languages ; and, at an adv‘mced period
of life, actually set about overcoming this difficulty, which he successfully accomplished
in a remarkably short space of time. A rich field, in the literature
of Germany, being thus thrown open to him, the result of his industry was
soon manifested by the publication of “Sketches and Hints of Church History
and Theological Controversy, chiefly translated and abridged from modern
foreign writers,’’ the first volume of which appeared in 1790, and the second
.in 1798.’
t1 The greater part of the works of President Edwards, of Dickenson, of Stoddart, and Fraaer of
9 On the appearance of this volume, Dr. Erskine waa violently assailed by an anonymous writer
Allness, were brought out in this way.
