ERSKINE

erskine, ralph (1685-1752), scottish divine, brother of ebenezer erskine (q.v.), was born on the 18th of march 1685. after studying at the university of edinburgh, he was in 1711 ordained assistant minister at dunfermline. he homologated 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, though not as a member, at the first meeting of the associate presbytery. when the severance took place on account of the oath administered to burgesses, he adhered, along with his brother, to the burgher section. he died after a short illness on the 6th of november 1752. 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.