The Life and Diary of the Reverend Ebenezer Erskine, A.M.

The prefixed Memoir of the Rev. HENRY ERSKINE, of Chirnside, relates to a minister, whose life and character are intrinsically highly worthy' of attention; while it forms an appropriate introduction to the Life and Diary of his son Ebenezer —and, also, to an account of his son Ralph, which, with the permission of providence, the author intends hereafter to publish. This memoir of HENRY will be found to comprehend all the particulars formerly recorded by Wodrow, Calamy, Palmer, and others, with some additional circumstances drawn from various authentic sources.

It is incumbent on me now to express my sincere gratitude to all those who have favoured me with valuable communications. I have been particularly indebted to my venerable and worthy friend, the Rev. JOHN BROWN, of Whitburn, who not only requested me to make free use of his own memoirs of Messrs. Ebenezer and Ralph Erskine contained in his publication, entitled GOSPEL TRUTH; but communicated, at different times, many particulars not included in those accounts. I am under great obligations, also, to Mr. JOHN BIRRELL, Kinnesswood, for the use of his excellent Manuscript, relating mostly to Mr. Erskine's ministry in the parish of Portmoak; the materials of which are very fully brought forward, chiefly in the 4th chapter of this work. TO WILLIAM C. BALDERSTON, Esq. W. S. I have been indebted for the loan of a Diary written by

Mrs. Balderston, the eldest daughter of Mr. Erskine, of Chirnside; which has supplied some interesting notices regarding her Father and Brothers. To the obliging attention of HUMPHREY EWING MACLAE, Esq. of Cathkin, and Mr. WALTER WARDLAW, Glasgow, I owe the perusal of a large Note-book, containing the Diary written by Ebenezer Erskine himself, Mr. Wardlaw has also indulged me with a sight of various other authentic documents, illustrative of the character and history of the Erskines.

By the kindness of my learned and respectable neighbour, the late Rev. WILLIAM CRAIK, Kennoway, Clerk to the Presbytery of Kirkaldy, I had full access to the Records of that Presbytery, from which much new information has been received, respecting Mr. Erskine's circumstances and conduct during the twentyeight years of his ministry at Portmoak. The Rev. ROBERT SWAN, of St. Monance, Clerk to the Synod of Fife, has also very kindly furnished some extracts respecting him, from the Records of that Synod. My best thanks are due, likewise, to the Rev. JOHN SMART, of Stirling, for allowing me to examine the numerous collection he possesses of the short-hand Note-books of Mr. Ebenezer Erskine; from which, as well as from similar books written chiefly by Mr. Ralph Erskine, that belong to my brother, the Rev. WILLIAM FRASER, of Alloa, and myself, I have learned some interesting facts, and obtained some curious papers. Το every individual not named, who has

afforded the writer any assistance in collecting materials for this publication, he begs to return his cordial acknowledgments.

In conclusion, he desires, above all, humbly to remember his dependence on the Father of lights, without whose benign influence, no production can prove either creditable to the writer, or useful 5 or to the reader. That God, by his blessing, may render this little work, whatever be its defects, conducive, in some degree, to his own glory, and to the advancement of pure and undefiled religion, is the prayer of

Books