Fisher's Catechism: The Westminster Assembly's Shorter Catechism Explained

Ebenezer Erskine and his son-in-law James Fisher were partners in producing what was at first spoken of as The Synods Catechism but came to be known better as Fishers for it was the younger man that finished it and perhaps had the main hand in most of it though the greater share of the earlier part has been attributed to Ebenezer Erskine. This exposition of the Shorter Catechism attained a greater vogue than any other in Scotland even than Willisons though his was very much in use. Fishers Catechism thus exercised more of a formative influence in moulding the thoughts of religious homes and in making so many of the people of Scotland skilled in theological matters than did any other single catechetical work expository of the Shorter Catechism. It continued to be issued down until the middle of the 19th century; and it found acceptance far beyond the ranks of the Secession. The Presbyterian Board at Philadelphia in its first forty years sold almost 20000 copies. (pg. 177). From Scottish Theology by John MacCleod -- originally published in 1943 reprinted Greenville SC: Reformed Academic Press 1995.This edition of Fishers Catechism began as the devotional exercises of one man who scanned proofread meditated on taught from and generally fell in love with this priceless tribute to the Lord Jesus Christ the Westminster Standards and Scottish Theology. It is presented now to the reader with prayers that the Holy Spirit will be pleased to use it to promote interest in sound theology and the things above. Col. 3:2