writ. This performance has likewise been very acceptable, and undergone a variety of editions. By emitting the above poetical essays into the world, and some smaller performances, our author's abilities as a poet came to be known, and induced the reverend synod, of which he was a member, repeatedly to importune him to employ some of his vacant hours, in turning all the poetical passages of sacred writ into common metre, of the same kind with the Psalms of David. These recommendations he at last complied with; and his productions at last made their appearance, under the title of SCRIPTURE SONGS, selected from several passages in the Old and New Testament, which were well relished, and have now undergone several editions. Our author, besides his sermons and poems, published several tracts, on some points of controversy, in which he displayed his abilities as a writer: particularly an elaborate treatise, entitled, FAITH NO FANCY; or, a Treatise of Mental Images: a book singularly valuable for the clear and perspicuous manner in which he hath handled and established this important point; every way worthy of our author, and reflected the greatest honor upon him; in regard it hath given the greatest display of his abilities, both as a divine and philosopher, and how capable he was to exhaust any point, when he set himself to it, even in an abstract way of reasoning: a book that effectually silenced all his opponents, and stands to this day unanswered. This faithful and laborious servant of Jesus Christ labored successfully in the work of the ministry, and continued publicly useful in his Master's work, till within a few days of his departure; for he preached in his own pulpit on Sabbath the 29th of October, 1752, and he was thereafter seized, in the end of the same month, viz., October, 1752, with a nervous fever, (wherein, nevertheless, he enjoyed the exercise of his judgment and senses,) which lasted only for a few days, and at last was the happy messenger of freeing him from the incumbrances of an embodied state, and leading him to the world of spirits, and the regions of eternal bliss and felicity; for, on the eighth day of the fever, he fell asleep in the Lord, being Monday, Nov. 6th, 1752, in the 68th year of his age, after laboring unweariedly and successfully in the work of the ministry, among his flock in Dunfermline, for the space of forty-two years. Mr. Erskine, our worthy author, affords room for large commendations, were we disposed to give them; and his complete character is truly great, and his disposition exceedingly amiable. If he is considered as to his natural endowments, he possessed many fine qualities; he had a sweet temper, a clear head, a rich invention, a lively imagination, and a great memory. If he is viewed as to his acquired abilities, he was well acquainted with all the useful branches of literature, necessary to adorn the scholar and the minister. If he is considered as to his office, he was a great and judicious divine, a pious evangelical preacher, and an able casuist. In short, he was not only a learned man, and an able divine, but an affectionate familiar friend, a social companion, a devout Christian, and a "burning and shining light." The body By his death, the church of Christ lost a great light, a heroic champion for the truth, and a bold contender for the faith once delivered unto the saints. he was last connected with, have been deprived of an useful member, and a shining ornament to their cause. The congregation he labored among, lost an able, faithful minister, a laborious and successful wrestler, and a painful and diligent instructor. His family and relatives lost a true friend, an affectionate husband, a tenderhearted parent, and a striking pattern of virtue. His acquaintances and intimates, an endearing brother, a social companion, and an engaging friend. Mr. Erskine was twice married. His first marriage was with Margaret Dewar, a daughter of the laird of Lassodie; which commenced the 15th of July, 1741. She lived with him about sixteen years; during which time she bore ten children, five sons and five daughters: three of these sons were ministers in the Association, viz., the Rev. Messrs. Henry, John, and James; the first ordained minister at Falkirk, the second at Lesslie, and the third at Stirling. All of them died in the prime of life, when they had given the world just ground to conceive high expectations of their usefulness in the church. -His second marriage was with Margaret Simson, a daughter of Mr. Simson, writer to the signet at Edinburgh, which took place, February 24th, 1732. She bore him four sons, and survived himself some few years. One of the sons of this marriage is still in life, and resides at London. All his other children are now re moved by death. AUGUST, 1763. AN ACROSTIC. MUCH famed on earth, renowned for piety; Religiously thy life below was spent: Long Pointing out Christ, the Lamb, who saves from woe, Heaven's blessedness on sinners to bestow. ERSKINE the great! whose pen spread far abroad, No friend to vice, no cloak to the profane; * Alluding to his poetical pieces. |