Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

eneficial effect upon his constitution. In the summer of 1816, he made
a tour through part of Scotland and Ireland, and visited what he calls, in
a letter now before me, "the place that had every thing to recommend it
to my attention and heart. The place is that in which I spent my boyish
days; where I received the rudiments of the little education I have; where
I first felt conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment; where I first
saw or heard a Methodist; where I first tasted the pardoning love of God,
after having passed through a great fight of affliction; where I joined the
Methodist society; where I first led a class; where I first began to preach
redemption in Christ Jesus, and from which I was called to become an
itinerant preacher. And these things took place in the parish, and in the
compass of about three fields' breadth in that parish, which is on the edge
of the sea, where there is the most beautiful shore in the world, extending
above twenty miles, of as perfectly level hard sand as can be
conceived;—the very place where I was once drowned, and perhaps
miraculously restored to life; where I was accustomed to bathe, and from
the rocks of which I used to catch many fish, and among the rocks of
which I spent many an hour in catching crabs, &c. Such a place, thus
circumstanced, must afford a multitude of the most impressive
reminiscences. No place on the face of the earth can have so many
attractions for me."
Dr. Clarke came to town in May, 1818, to attend the anniversary
meetings of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society; and, while on
the platform, he received a note from Sir Alexander Johnston, who was
then within sight of land, on his return from Ceylon, and who had brought
with him, at their own most earnest entreaties, two high priests of
Budhoo, who wished to be instructed in the principles of Christianity. Sir
Alexander and the missionary committee prevailed on Dr. Clarke to take
charge of them, and afford them all the instructions he could in the
knowledge of divine things. Two days after their arrival in London, I had
the pleasure of accompanying the doctor and these two interesting
strangers, one of whom was then forty-five years of age, and the other
twenty-seven, to Bristol. They travelled without hat or cap, with a
splendid yellow garment thrown loosely over the left shoulder, and with