SECTION XVI. Sketch of the life and character of the late Rev. Dr. Clarke. 1798. JOHN CLARKE, D. D. pastor of the First Church in Boston, was born at Portsmouth, in SEC. XVI. Newhampshire, April 13, 1755; graduated at Harvard college, in 1774; and ordained, July 8, 1778, as colleague with the late Dr. Chauncy, with whom he lived, in the most intimate and respectful friendship, about nine years; and afterwards continued assiduously and faithfully labouring in the service of the church, until the Lord's-day, April 1, 1798; when, in the midst of his afternoon sermon, he was suddenly seized with an apoplexy, fell down in the pulpit, and expired in less than twelve hours; having almost completed the forty-third year of his age, and the twentieth year of his ministry. Descended from respectable parents, who live to lament an only son, he discovered in early life the signs of genius and industry. At the university, he was distinguished by a close attention to classick and philosophick studies, by a strict obedience to the laws, and by irreproachable morals. In the office of preceptor, he was gentle and persuasive, beloved by his pupils, and esteemed by their friends. As a publick preacher, 1 SEC. XVI. his compositions bore the marks of penetration, judgment, perspicuity, and elegance. Faithful to the interest of religion, he deeply examined its foundation and evidence; and, persuaded of the truth and importance of the christian system, he recommended, by his publick discourses and private conversation, its sublime doctrines, its wise institutions, and its salutary precepts. Though fond of polite literature and philosophick researches, yet he considered theology, as the proper science of a gospel minister. To this object he principally devoted his time and studies, and was earnestly desirous of investigating every branch of it, not merely to gratify his own sacred curiosity, but that he might impart to his hearers the whole counsel of God. He was habitually a close student; and it is not improbable, that the intenseness of his mental application proved too severe for the delicate fabrick of his nerves. His devotional addresses were copious and fervent; and his intercessions strong and affectionate; discovering at once the ardour of his piety, and the warmth of his benevolence. In the private offices of pastoral friendship, he was truly exemplary and engaging. His temper was mild and cheerful; his manners easy and polite; and the social virtues of an honest heart gave a glow to his language, and enlivened every circle, in which he was conversant. In the relations of a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a guardian, a correspondent, a master, a friend, and a member of several literary and char 1798. itable societies,* his deportment was marked sec. XVI. with affection, fidelity, and carefulness. He was concerned for the interest, reputation, and happiness of all his connexions; and zealously devoted to the cause of science and humanity. Being successour to ten eminent luminaries of the church of God, he was studious to emulate them in piety, learning, and usefulness. Like three of them, he was suddenly called off from his ministerial labours, and, having happily escaped the painful agonies of a lingering death, is gone to receive the reward of a faithful servant, and enter into the joy of his Lord. Dr. Clarke's printed works are four sermons, one on the death of Dr. Cooper, one on the death of Dr. Chauncy, one on the death of Dr. N. W. Appleton, and one before the Humane Society; An answer to the question, Why are you a Christian? which has had three editions in Boston, and three in England; and Letters to a student at the university of Cambridge." A volume of Dr. Clarke's sermons has been published, since his decease. It is a selection, that does honour to his memory; and will be cherished by the christian and the scholar, as exhibiting, in elegant and very impressive language, the pure and pious sentiments of one of the best of men.† * Dr. Clarke was a counsellor of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, corresponding secretary of the Humane Society of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, and one of the members of the Massachusetts Historical Society. [To this has since been added a volume, containing seventeen sermons to the young.] DD SEC. XVI. 1798. 5 April. 8 April. His remains were entombed, the friday after his decease, with every mark of esteem and affection. A sermon was preached at his interment by Rev. Peter Thacher, D.D. from 2 Sam. i. 26. On the Lord's-day after the decease of Dr. Clarke, a discourse was delivered to his bereaved flock, by Rev. Dr. Willard, president of the university in Cambridge, from which the following character of the deceased is selected. Being a tutor at the university, when he became a member, and the class, to which he belonged, being committed to my particular care, I had an early opportunity of knowing his character, and I was soon led to distinguish in him that genius and application to study, together with that amiable disposition and excellent spirit, which have ever since conspicuously shone in him. For two years and a quarter, I continued with the class, and, during that time, his improvements in literature and science were very observable; and his conduct was so uniformly good, in every respect, that he never merited or received a censure, or a frown from any one, who had the care and instruction of the youth; and I found by information, after my leaving the class and the university, that he maintained the same character, through the whole of his collegiate course. And perhaps there never was a student, who passed through the university and went into the world with a fairer reputation, and few with more solid and useful acquirements. For some time after Mr. Clarke left the university, he was engaged in the instruction of youth, in which employment he was highly SEC. XVÍ. esteemed and beloved. But, whatever his pur- 1798. suits were, he did not suffer his mind to be di verted from the great object, he had in view, which was to fit for the sacred desk. While he was faithful in performing the business he undertook, he devoted his leisure hours to accomplish himself for that profession, which lay nearest his heart; and he pursued his theological studies with great assiduity, so that, when he first entered the desk, it was not with a superficial knowledge. His natural abilities and literary acquirements were such, as enabled him to search the sacred oracles with accuracy, especially the original of the new testament, and to attend to every sub. ject in divinity with judgment. And such was the candour and fairness of his mind, that few men, perhaps, have been more free from prejudices in their researches. He therefore became a scribe well instructed in the gospel system. His discourses early discovered an elegant taste in composition, a correctness, propriety, and pertinence in thought, and that strain of seriousness and piety, which could not but be attractive. You, my brethren, soon heard of his worth; and, when you employed him, as a candidate for the ministry among you, your expectations from him were not disappointed; nay, it will not be beyond the truth to say, that they were more than answered. After preaching with you a competent time, he was ordained over you, as a colleague pastor with the venerable, learned, and valuable doctor Chauncy, with whom he |