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.
