Although Dr Doddridge's congregation ‘highly respected Mr Clark, and thought themselves greatly obliged to him for his services during their pastor’s absence, he was not sufficiently popular and Calvinistical fully to satisfy the generality of them, so as to be chosen assistant to the Doctor’s successor in the ministerial part of his office.’[1] As a consequence, Clark moved to Daventry and continued as assistant tutor at the new academy, where he preached once a month.
[3] The academy had a good library, and a varied stock of scientific equipment, which included an air pump for producing a vacuum.
Contentious theology was not neglected, and Clark attended the students’ debating society, where topics included the issues of original sin, predestination, the sleep of the soul and liberty versus necessity.
[4] Both tutors were young and ready to indulge their students in the greatest freedom of thought, 'so that our lectures had often the air of friendly conversations on the subject to which they related,' Clark's views being somewhat less orthodox.
On 3 December 1769, whilst setting out for Oldbury, Clark was thrown from his horse in New Street, Birmingham; he died three days later.