Pull Adam Pull

The Rev. Dr Adam Clarke (c1762-1832), Irish Methodist Minister, Theologian and Biblical scholar.

“PULL, ADAM, PULL!” – There was a lad in Ireland, who was put to work at a linen-draper’s; and while he was at work there a piece of cloth was to be sent out which was short of the quantity it ought to be; but the master thought that it might be made the length by a little stretching. He thereupon unrolled the cloth, taking hold of one end of it himself, and the boy at the other. He then said, “Pull, Adam, pull!” The master pulled with all his might, but the boy stood still. The master again said, “Pull, Adam, pull!”

The boy said, “I can’t.”
“Why not?” said the master.

“Because it is wrong,” said Adam, and he refused to pull. Upon this the master said he would not do for a linen draper: But that boy became the Rev. Dr Adam Clarke, and the strict principles of honesty of his youthful age laid the foundation of his future greatness.