Ralph Erskine Biography
Ralph Erskine (18 March 1685 – 6 November 1752) was a Scottish churchman.
Ralph Erskine was the brother of another prominent churchman, Ebenezer Erskine. After studying at the University of Edinburgh, Ralph was ordained assistant minister at Dunfermline in 1711. He ratified the protests which his brother laid on the table of the assembly after being rebuked for his synod sermon, but he did not formally withdraw from the establishment till 1737.
He was also present at, though not a member of, the first meeting of the "associate presbytery". When the severance took place over the oath administered to burgesses, he adhered, along with his brother, to the burgher section.
His works consist of sermons, poetical paraphrases and gospel sonnets. The Gospel Sonnets have frequently appeared separately. His Life and Diary, edited by the Rev. D Fraser, was published in 1842.
There is a life size bronze statue of Ralph Erskine on a pedestal, not far from the High Street in the centre of Dunfermline.
Reader, the following enigmatic song
Does not to wisest nat'ralists belong:
Their wisdom is but folly on this head;
...
When Abram's body, Sarah's womb,
Were ripe for nothing but the tomb,
Exceeding old, and wholly dead,
Unlike to bear the promis'd seed:
...
Preface.
Hark, dying mortal, if the Sonnet prove
A song of living and immortal love,
'Tis then thy grand concern the theme to know,
...
Reader, into thine hands these lines are giv'n,
But not without the providence of Heav'n;
Or to advance thy bliss, if thou art wise,
...
In heav'nly choirs a question rose,
That stirr'd up strife will never close,
What rank of all the ransom'd race
...
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