Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 3.djvu/239

Rh lure, the most conspicuous were Sir John Pringle, and Mr Stevenson, professors of moral philosophy and of logic, in the university of Edinburgh. One mode which these eminent men adopted in order to stimulate the exertions of their students, was to prescribe topics connected with the subject of their respective prelections, on which their pupils were required to write short dissertations; when these exercises were to be read, numbers attended from the different classes, and we are informed by Dr Erskine, that Dr William Wishart, principal of the college, "that great encourager of the study of the classics, and of moral and political sciences, would often honour those discourses with his presence, listen to them with attention, criticise them with candour; and when he observed indications of good dispositions, and discerned the blossoms of genius, on these occasions, and afterwards, as he had opportunity, testified his esteem and regard." Professor Stevenson selected a number of the best of the essays which were read in his class, and bound them up in a volume, which is now preserved in the college library. They are in the hand-writing of their authors; and in this curious repository are to be found the productions of Erskine and Robertson, together with those of many young men who afterwards rose to eminence in their several paths of life. We have Dr Erskine's authority for saying, that during the time he was at the university, "Edinburgh college then abounded with young men of conspicuous talents, and indefatigable application to study; many of whom afterwards rose to high eminence in the state, in the army, and in the learned professions, especially in the law department." Amongst these we may name as his intimate friends, Sir Thomas Miller of Glenlee, afterwards lord president of the court of session, and those distinguished lawyers who were promoted to the bench under the titles of lords Elliock, Alva, Kennet, Gardenston, and Braxfield.

In May, 1744, Dr Erskine was ordained minister of Kirkintilloch, in the presbytery of Glasgow, where he remained until the year 1753, when he was presented to the parish of Culross, in the presbytery of Dunfermline. In June. 1758, he was translated to the new Grey Friars, one of the churches of Edinburgh. In November, 1766, the university of Glasgow conferred on him the honorary degree of doctor of divinity, and in July, 1767, he was promoted to the collegiate charge of old Grey Friars, where he had for his colleague Dr Robertson.

In the different parishes in which Dr Erskine had ministered, he had enjoyed the esteem and affection of his parishioners. They were proud of him for his piety, learning, and rank; they were delighted and improved by his public and private instructions, and they deeply lamented his removal when called from them to undertake the more important charges to which his merit successively promoted him. His attention to the duties of the pastoral office was most exemplary, and his benevolent consolation and advice, which were at the service of all who required them, secured him the respect and affection of his flock, who long remembered him with feelings of the warmest gratitude. No man ever had a keener relish for the pleasures of conversation; but in these he considered, that he ought not to indulge, conceiving his time and talents to be entirely the the property of his parishioners. At college, he had made great attainments in classical learning, and through life, he retained a fondness for the cultivation of literature and philosophy, in which his great talents fitted him to excel; he refrained, however, from their pursuit, restricting himself in a great measure, to the discharge of his important religious duties. But although literature was not allowed to engross a large share of his attention, nor to interfere with his more sacred avocations, still, by much exertion, and by economizing his time, he was enabled to maintain a perfect acquaintance with the progress of the arts and sciences.