A Wesleyan divine, distinguished for his varied learning, was born at Moybeg, in the north of Ireland, in 1760 or 1762. After receiving a very limited education he was apprenticed to a linen manufacturer, but, finding the employment uncongenial, he soon abandoned it, and devoted himself to study…. In 1782 he entered on the duties of the ministry, being appointed by Wesley to the Bradford (Wiltshire) circuit. His popularity as a preacher was very great, and his influence in the denomination is indicated by the fact that he was three times chosen to be president of the Conference. He served twice on the London circuit, the second period being extended considerably longer than the rule allowed, at the special request of the British and Foreign Bible Society, who had employed him in the preparation of their Arabic Bible. He had found time during his itinerancy for diligent study of Hebrew and other Oriental languages, undertaken chiefly with the view of qualifying himself for the great work of his life, his “Commentary on the Holy Scriptures,” the first volume of which appeared in 1810, and the eighth and last in 1826. It is a work of much learning and ability, and it still possesses some value, though it is in great part superseded by the results of later scholarship. Dr. Clarke’s other literary works were very numerous. In 1802 he published a “Bibliographical Dictionary” in six volumes, to which he afterwards added a supplement. He was selected by the Record’s Commission to edit Rymer’s “Fœdera,” a task for which he was not well qualified, and which he did not complete. He also wrote “Memoirs of the Wesley Family” (1823), and edited a large number of religious works. He died of cholera in London on the 16th August 1832. His Miscellaneous Works have been published in a collected form in 13 vols., and a Life by J. B. B. Clarke appeared in 1833.

Personal

  In personal appearance there was nothing particularly remarkable in my Father: he was about five feet nine inches high, and in the latter years of his life had a tendency to a full habit of body; his frame was one of considerable strength, his limbs straight and well-proportioned, and his person unbowed to the last hour of his life. His features were characteristic of the benevolence of his mind; his smile inspired a confidence which the kindness of his manner confirmed; and no one could feel distrustful in the presence of his cheerful frankness, nor fail to do reverence to a dignity resulting from piety and wisdom, rendered more venerable by his grey hairs. His personal habits were those of unintermitted industry, unincumbered by busy haste, and directed by the exactest order; what he had to do was performed at once and to the best of his power, his mind never giving way to that sort of hesitating examination of a difficulty or duty which only discourages from its conquest or performance, without affording any additional power or wisdom to undertake the task. I never once saw my father idle: even in his relaxations his mind was occupied either in contriving and affording entertainment for others, or else in deriving healthful pleasure to himself…. A tolerably correct estimate of my Father’s diligence in preaching may be formed from the following statement:—from the year 1784 to 1785, he preached 568 sermons, independently of lectures, expositions, etc.; and from 1782 to 1808, he preached no less than 6,615 sermons, also exclusive of exhortations, etc. During his abode in London, for three years, commencing 1795, he walked more than 7,000 miles, merely on journeys to preach in the city and its neighborhood, not reckoning his walking on other private and public business.

  In the midst of incessant toils as an evangelist, he acquired an amount of erudition which is truly surprising, and which made him one of the foremost scholars of his time. In addition to the classics and Hebrew, Dr. Clarke was familiar with the Syriac and Chaldee languages, with Persian, Arabic, and Sanscrit, and had some knowledge of Ethiopic and Coptic, together with Anglo-Saxon, French, and German. Besides these, he had studied nearly all the natural sciences, and was well read in general literature. Do our young readers ask, with amazement, How could this possibly be done by one so actively engaged? We reply, Adam Clarke knew the value of time, and emphatically he “redeemed” it—redeemed it from sleep, idle gossip, and frivolous pursuits. Like Doddridge, he was an early student, rising at four or five o’clock, and giving the first morning hours to study and meditation.

  He conveyed little idea of a man who labored by lamp-light; but rather that of one whose work was done, at all seasons, in the open air. In the pulpit he had only the eloquence that proceeds from perseverance and convincing zeal. It is something to have known a man who was the associate and friend as well as one of the chosen missionaries of John Wesley. Dr. Clarke loved much to speak of his knowledge of that great man, who, in 1782, had laid his hand on the head of the young neophyte, and dedicated him to the ministry: and when the subject of this brief notice died, his mortal remains were interred in the burial-ground of the Methodists in the City Road, close beside those of the Gamaliel at whose feet he had sat.

General

  The literary world in general, and biblical students in particular, are greatly indebted to Dr. Clarke for the light he has thrown on many very difficult passages.

  It [“Commentary”] displays much learning and vast reading. It dwells frequently on minute points of comparatively small importance, and touches some other points very lightly…. The doctrines of Arminius appeared in it, but are not offensively urged; and those who cannot afford to purchase many books, will find in the stores of Dr. Clarke’s “Commentary” valuable assistance for the understanding of the Bible.

  There is much valuable matter in it [“Commentary”]. Light is sometimes thrown on difficult passages; but he is too fond of innovations, and justifying generally condemned characters, and has both eccentric and exceptionable passages; yet he often makes good practical remarks.

  One hardly likes to close this sketch of the Methodist leaders without at least a passing notice of the most learned of them all, Dr. Adam Clarke.

  The literary power and capacity of investigation evinced by Clarke bore fruit in two ways. As a theological writer he produced many works of ability, including English translations and new editions of other men’s books.