Ralph Erskine
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [1]
brother of Ebenezer, was born at Monilaws, Northumberland. March 18, 1685, and was educated at the University of Edinburgh. In 1711 he became minister at Dunfermline. In 1734 he joined his brother and others in their secession from the Church. (See Seceders). He died November 6, 1752. He was a preacher of great popular abilities, devotional and zealous. His writings are collected under the title Sermons And Other Practical Works, consisting of above 150 sermons, besides his poetical pieces, to which is prefixed an account of the author's life and writings (Falkirk, 10 volumes, 8vo, 1794-96). — Darling, Cyclop. Bibliographica, 1:1063.
The Nuttall Encyclopedia [2]
A Scotch divine, brother of Ebenezer ( q. v .), with whom he co-operated in founding the Secession Church; his sermons and religious poems, called "Gospel Sonnets," were widely read; one of the first of the Scotch seceders, strange to contemplate, "a long, soft, poke-shaped face, with busy anxious black eyes, looking as if he could not help it; and then such a character and form of human existence, conscience living to the finger ends of him, in a strange, venerable, though highly questionable manner ... his formulas casing him all round like the shell of a beetle"; his fame rests chiefly on his "Gospel Sonnets," much appreciated at one time (1685-1752).
