WILLISON, JOHN, an eminent divine and religious writer, was born in 1680, and from an early age was intended by his parents for the church. After completing his regular course of academical education, he entered on the study of divinity, and having been duly licensed, he became, in 1703, minister of Brechin, in consequence of a unanimous call which he received from that town. Shortly after, the popularity he had acquired by his abilities as a preacher, with the simplicity and purity of his manners, and the gentleness and benevolence of his disposition, caused him to be invited to supply a vacancy at Dundee, where he spent the remainder of his life. He now took a prominent part in all public discussions regarding ecclesiastical affairs, and showed himself, in particular, opposed to the exercise of patronage in the church. Distinguished above many of his contemporaries by his superior attainments, activity, and zeal, he was considered in his day the leader of the popular or Evangelical party; and, in 1735, when the General Assembly resolved to apply to Parliament for the repeal of the oppressive act of 1712, he and Messrs. Gordon and Mackintosh were sent to London to attend to this important matter. All their efforts, however, to procure a repeal of the act proved fruitless, as have those of many other good men since their time.

Mr. Willison was the author of several works of a religious nature, which have been long held in high estimation, a list of which is subjoined. He died at Dundee, in the bosom of his family, May 3, 1750, in the seventieth year of his age, and forty-seventh of his ministry. His works are:

Example of Plain Catechising upon the Assembly’s Shorter Catechism. Edin. 1737, 8vo.
Afflicted Man’s Companion; or a Directory for Families and Persons afflicted with Sickness or any other Distress. Edin. 1755, 8vo.
Sacramental Meditations and Advices, grounded upon Scripture-texts, proper for Communicants to prepare their hearts, excite their affections, quicken their graces, and enliven their devotion on sacramental occasions; together with a short Christian Directory, consisting of forth Scripture directions proper for all Christians intending Heaven, and a variety of Scripture Songs for Zion’s travellers on their way thither; to which are added, by way of appendix, Three Sermons. Edin. 1769, 12mo.
The Balm of Gilead.
In 1793 two Sermons, preached by Mr. Willison some time before his death, ‘On the Increase of Christ’s Kingdom,’ containing an allusion to the demoralized state of France, were published at London, under the title of ‘A Prophecy of the French Revolution and the Downfall of Antichrist.’