Ebenezer Erskine, a Scottish theologian, founder of the Secession church of Scotland, born June 22, 1680, died in Stirling, June 22, 1754. The son of a Presbyterian clergyman, he was educated at the university of Edinburgh, licensed to preach in 1702, became pastor the next year in Portmoak, and held that post 28 years. Here and at Stirling, where he lived from 1731 until his death, he was a great favorite with his parishioners, as well as with the church throughout Scotland. The dissensions in the church of Scotland began in 1720, when the book entitled "The Marrow of Modern Divinity " was thought to reveal latitudina-rian tendencies dangerous to the prevalent doctrines. Refusing to take the abjuration oath, and opposing the reimposition of lay patronage, as contrary to the act of union and to the liberties of the Scottish church, and at the same time being one of the most influential defenders of what were termed the " Marrow " doctrines, Mr. Erskine was proclaimed in many polemical pamphlets an innovator in religion and a troubler in Israel, was censured by the synod, and on Nov. 16, 1733, was solemnly rebuked and admonished at the bar of the general assembly.

Against this decision he with three other clergymen entered a protest; and as they continued the conduct for which they had been censured, they were suspended from their functions. This sentence was removed July 2, 1734; but the deposed brethren had meantime formed themselves into a separate consistory and received numerous accessions. In 1740 Erskine and his brethren were again deposed and ejected from their pulpits; but he assembled his people on Sundays in the fields, till a new meeting house was provided, in which he continued to preach to large congregations till his death. There have been many editions of his "Select Works" (3 vols., 8vo) and of selections from them; also of his "Life and Diary," by D. Fraser.