Clarke, Matthew

Clarke, Matthew, an English nonconformist minister; (son of Rev. Matthew Clarke, who was ejected from the living of Harborough, Leicestershire, and who contrived: amid all his sufferings for conscience sake to give his son an excellent ministerial education), was born Feb. 2, 1663. He began his ministry at Little Bowden, near Market Harborough, in 1684; in 168.7 accepted a call to Sandwich Kent; two years later returned to his flock in Leicestershire, and shortly afterwards went to Miles's Lane, 'London, as assistant. In 1694 he became sole pastor, and soon changed a declining Church to the most prosperous in London. About that time he was chosen one of the lecturers at Pinner's Hall. He continued his pastorate with unsparing labor of body and mind till his death, March 27, 1726. Mr. Clarke had a commanding person and: a melodious voice; was eminently amiable and accomplished, and highly successful in the pulpit, notwithstanding a certain degree of timidity. See Bogue and Bennett, History of Dissenters, 2d ed. ii, 351; Wilson, Dissenting Churches, i, 474,491.