Adam Clarke was born in the early 1760's (because he was from a poor family we don't really know the year he was born) in Moybeg, Ireland. From a young age, his mother taught him and his six siblings to love and fear God. When he was around 10, he and his older brother, Tracy, offered to work in the fields to help their father. This was an important time in Adam's life, because he learned to be diligent and hard-working.
Though Adam was often working and was from a poor family, he did get a little education. He had trouble learning, though, and did not excel in his studies. As he grew older, he began attending a church singing school. He soon began to take a class in dancing. From that point on for two years, dancing took over his entire being. Instead of work and study, he would dance or go to dancing parties. It led him into many sins until he realized how it was harming him. He then repented and turned from it.
Two times during Adam's early adulthood he suffered serious injuries but was spared by God. When he was 17, he began working for his salvation, but soon learned that that was not the way. At last, after hearing a Methodist circuit rider, he totally surrendered to God. From then on he spoke to others about God and brought several to the Lord. For many years he went through some struggles, learning to be humble and take scoffing, as God prepared him for a special calling.
Several years later, he traveled to England and studied to be a Methodist circuit rider under John Wesley. He took up his new task with zeal and was admitted to full time ministry after only 10 months instead of the usual 4 years!
After a number of years he married a young lady by the name of Mary Cooke. Together they had 12 children, 6 boys and 6 girls, and 3 of each lived to adulthood. He served as a circuit rider for over 50 years, bringing many to the Lord and proclaiming the Kingdom of God. On Sunday, August 26, 1832, God took His faithful servant, Adam Clarke, home forever.
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