Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

The year 1791 is remarkable in the history of Methodism for the death
of Mr. Wesley. When Mr. Clarke first heard of this solemn event, he says
that he "was overwhelmed with grief; and that such were his feelings, all
he could do was to read the little printed account of his last moments."
His admiration of Mr Wesley was such as I have not perceived in any
other of the followers of that extraordinary individual. I have more than
once heard him say, that, taking him altogether, as a man, a Christian, a
divine, a philanthropist, a favoured instrument in the hands of God in
winning souls, he had not been surpassed, if equalled, since the days of
the apostles. It is deeply to be regretted that peculiar circumstances should
have prevented the doctor from writing the Life of the Founder of
Methodism,—an Apelles that could have painted an Alexander. Mr.
Wesley's opinion of Mr. Clarke we have in a letter of his to Mr. King. So
early as the year 1787, that correct judge of character hesitated not to
affirm, " Adam Clarke is doubtless an extraordinary young man, and
capable of doing much good." In his will, Mr. Wesley appointed him one
of the seven trustees of all his literary property.
The first conference after the death of Mr. Wesley, as Mr. Clarke's
health was in a very declining state, he was appointed to the Manchester
circuit, principally with a view to his using the Buxton waters, as the
likeliest means of his recovery. The remedy was tried, and his health
completely restored. About this time the French revolution was the
universal topic; and various political questions were agitated with
considerable excitement. These were sometimes introduced into the
pulpit, but never by Mr. Clarke: he informed me that, during this painful
period, in almost every sermon he urged his hearers to seek entire
sanctification. Of his colleagues, Messrs. Samuel Bradburn and Joseph
Benson, I have heard him speak in the highest terms. He thought them the
two greatest preachers of the day. It is somewhat remarkable that it fell
to his lot to perform the last office of friendship to the mortal remains of
both these eminent men, by delivering an address at their graves. The
former died in 1810, the latter in 1821.