Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Rev. Joseph Clark

Rev. Joseph Clark, late of Nottingham, but now Pastor of Auckland Tabernacle, was born in London, on 5th May, 1853. While yet a lad, his father removed from London to a farm in Essex, so that he had an early experience of both town and country life, which no doubt helped to qualify him for his future career. Pastor Clark was brought up in the tenets of the Church of England and sang in a Church choir. He also devoted a great deal of his leisure time to athletics and gained several prizes in his youth. Pastor Clark's conversion which resulted in his entering the Baptist Church was caused by several memorable experiences. Two narrow escapes from drowning, the request of his dying mother and, finally, the preaching of Dr. Hugh Allen, decided him to devote his life to Christ. Owing to his connection with the Established Church, Mr. Clark was slow to renounce the teaching of his youth, but being driven out by Ritualism, he left the Church and attended the evening classes at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, under the tuition of Professor Fergusson and Mr. Johnson. Upon his marriage and removal to Clapham, he became associated with
Rev. J. Clark.

Rev. J. Clark.

Pastor E. Henderson, of Victoria Chapel, Wandsworth, who baptised him and received him into fellowship. In the meantime he continued his connection with mercantile page 236 pursuits at Clapham, and in the City, at the same time pursuing his studies at the City of London College. When he joined the Metropolitan Tabernacle he became a member of the country mission and was one of the first preachers sent by that organization to Thornton Heath. At the request of the late Rev. Charles Spurgeon, he went to Teddington and laboured there with great success. His next step was to take charge of the new church at Norbiton, which proved too small for the increasing congregations, so that the Public Hall had to be engaged. He then entered the Pastor's College and worked hard as student and pastor for three years. On entering the College he had a most liberal offer made to him by a mercantile firm in the City, but after earnest and careful consideration he decided to throw in his lot with the Baptist ministry. On the recommendation of the late Rev. Chas. Spurgeon, he was appointed to the Nottingham Tabernacle, where he laboured with the greatest success, until his acceptance of the pastorate of the Auckland Tabernacle.