THE MOTHER OF THE ERSKINES; Or, a Providential Deliverance from the Grave.

 THE MOTHER OF THE ERSKINES; Or, a Providential Deliverance from the Grave. A MOST remarkable deliverance from the grave was experienced by the mother of the celebrated Ralph and Ebenezer Erskine. Strange though it may appear, it could be said she died and was buried before her renowned sons were born. She wore on her finger at the time of her death a rich gold ring, which, from some domestic cause or other, was much valued by the family. After the body was laid in the coffin an attempt was made to remove the ring, but the hand and the finger were so much swollen, that it was found impossible. It was proposed to cut off the finger, but as the husband’s feelings revolted at the idea, she was buried with the ring on her finger. The sexton, who was aware of the fact, formed a resolution to possess himself of the ring, and therefore, on the night of her burial, he opened the grave and coffin. Having no scruples about cutting off the finger of a dead woman, he provided himself with a sharp knife for the purpose. He lifted the stiff arm, and made an incision by the joint of the finger; instantly the blood flowed, and the woman arose and sat up in her coffin! The grave-digger fled with affright, while the lady made her way from her narrow tenement, and walked back to the door of her dwelling, where she stood without and knocked for admittance. Her husband, who was a minister, sat conversing with a friend. When the knock was repeated, he observed, “Were it not that my wife is in her grave, I should say that was her knock.” He arose hastily and opened the door. There stood his dear companion, wrapped in her grave-clothes, and her uplifted finger drooping blood. “My Margaret!” he exclaimed. “The same,” said she; “your dear wife, in her own proper person; do not be alarmed.” The lady in question lived seven or eight years after this occurrence, and became the mother of several children, among whom was the persons to whom we have referred. Adamson "Religious Anecdotes of Scotland"

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