The life of the Rev. Rowland Hill, A.M.

Front matter

PRINCETON • NEW JERSEY

Gift of Mrs. Alexander Proudfit 1890

Life of the Rev. Rowland HilL A.M. /

Preface

The last evening I ever spent with Mrs. Rowland Hill, she expressed a wish, that if I survived her venerable and beloved husband, I should write an authentic narrative of his remarkable life, and I promised her that I would, if possible, fulfil her desire. Mr. Rowland Hill, acquiescing in this request, bequeathed me all his papers, " to be used at my discretion!'' I have now performed my promise, but with more haste, on account of the anxiety of his friends, than was convenient or advantageous : with what discretion I must leave others to determine. My readers, however, will doubtless consider the unique character I have had to portray, and will recollect that Mr. Hill's truly solid excellences were mingled, even in public, with a vivacity and humour peculiar to himself. Had I mentioned only serious facts, it might have been justly remarked, that, excellent as the individual appeared, it was not Ron-land Hill. Still, I trust, it will be seen in these pages, that his true piety, christian benevolence, and deep spirituality, more than atoned for any trifling singularities of his nature, or sallies of wit, which were mostly accompanied with so much kindness, that, like a medicine given in sweetmeats, the bitter was seldom tasted.

I have made such selections from the papers of my

PREFACE.

affectionate guardian as I thought most useful and interesting ; and if I have erred. I can only plead my inexperience as an author ; but most truly can I add, that it has been my aim not to give the slightest pain to the feelings of any human being. Mine has been a task of no ordinary delicacy and responsibility; and while I have not concealed my own opinions, I hope they have been expressed in a spirit of christian charity towards such as may differ from my views.

Amongst the papers left for my use, I found letters and manuscripts of the late Sir Richard Hill, together with an interesting account of his conversion and early experience. I intended, at first, to have extracted largely from these documents in the course of this volume ; but it was suggested to me, that by so doing, I should too much interrupt the thread of my narrative, and that they were much more proper for a Life of Sir Richard Hill. Many years ago a manuscript, containing five sermons on " Charity, or Brotherly Love," by Walker, of Truro, was given to Mr. Rowland Hill, which he intended to have printed with a memoir of the author, and to have dedicated the volume to his Surry chapel congregation. In the notice of Mr. Walker's Life, Mr. Rowland Hill observes of the sermons — "these have been in my possession for a considerable time, yet on a re-perusal of them with a judicious friend, it struck me forcibly, whether in my fast declining days I could leave behind me a more profitable testimony

PREFACE.

of my high respect and real regard to the congregation I have so long served, than to print these sermons for their serious perusal and prayerful consideration.*' I may possibly be induced to form a small volume from these interesting portions of the papers of my departed relative.

To those who have kindly assisted me with materials for the work, I beg to offer my sincere thanks, particularly to the Rev. George Clayton, the Rev. George Collison, the Rev. John Griffin, Mr. Jones, of the Religious Tract Society, and the members of Surry chapel who have sent me letters of Mr. Rowland Hill. I am likewise much indebted to the kindness of O. P. Wathen, Esq., John Broadley Wilson, Esq., Samuel Long, Esq., (the executor both of Mr. Rowland Hill and his assistant, Mr. Theophilus Jones,) as well as to Mrs. James, (late Mrs. B. Neale,) Miss Sheppard, and to others whose names appear in the course of the volume. Though differing from some of these friends in minor views, I trust we are all united in the common ties of christian love and o-oodwill, looking for salvation to one common Saviour, and believing in the essential operations of the Holy Spirit on the heart, none of which is more prominent than that of charity, the very bond of perfectness.

Though sincerely respecting the conscientious scruples of others, I cannot help venturing to express my devoted attachment to our established church, and my conviction that its connexion with tbe state

PREFACE.

has been, and I hope will long continue to be, a blessing to our land. If we look at the present aspect of religion amongst us, I am firmly convinced that our establishment need not shrink from comparison, both as respects its own internal brightness and the distant reflection of its light, with any other Christian community on earth. The ministers of religion should be suited to every grade of society : from their ranks the gentleman should be able lo select a profitable companion, the inquirer a judicious guide, and the poor man a kind and compassionate friend ; and, happily, men endued with such requisites for their sacred office can be at this moment abundantly supplied, from the ranks of our parochial clergy. Increasing holiness to purify is the surest forerunner of power afforded from on high to protect our church, and the zeal, diligence, and piety of her ministers, will prove a more certain defence, than all the splendours of worldly grandeur, the policy of worldly wisdom, or the support of worldly strength.

I have now only to request that the friends of Mr. Rowland Hill will confide to me such letters or other materials as they may think useful for any future edition of his life, and to add, that I shall be truly obliged, if I have fallen into any accidental error, relating either to persons or things mentioned in these pages, to be informed of my mistake, that I may correct it.

Acle, near Norwich, March 22nd, 1834.

Chapter I

page

Antiquity of the Hill family 17

The Great Hill 18

The Hawkstone family, and birth of Mr. Rowland Hill . 21

Rowland Hill in childhood 23

His conversion when a boy 24

Letter of Mr. Richard Hill addressed to his brothers at Eton 24

Mr. Richard Hill's early sense of religion 26

Mr. Richard Hill's distress of mind 26-27

Kindness of Mr. Fletcher I 28

Relief of Mr. Richard Hill's mind 28

His anxiety for his brother Rowland 29

Rowland's progress in religion 30

Is made useful at Eton 31

A religious society formed by the young converts. Candour

of Mr. Richard Hill 32

Advice of Miss Hill to her brother Rowland before his going

to Cambridge 33

Mr. Rowland Hill at Cambridge 34

His acquaintance sought by Mr. Berridge 34

His frequent visits to Everton 35

Begins preaching while an undergraduate at Cambridge,

1766 . 36

Meets with great opposition. Consults Mr. Whitefield.

Mr. Whitefield's first letter 37

Extracts from Mr. Rowland Hill's diary, 1767 .... 38

His perseverance in preaching . 40

Second letter of Mr. Whitefield, who encourages him to

proceed 40

Mr. Rowland Hill continues to labour 42

Is visited in college by two pious Danes. An extract from

their diary 43

Long vacation of 1767. Third letter of Mr. Whitefield 44—15

Mr. Rowland Hill preaches while at home 45

Fourth letter of Mr. Whitefield 46

Mr. Rowland Hill's depression. Extracts from his diary . 47

He visits Lady Huntingdon " 48

Returns to Cambridge 48

Corresponds with zealous young men at Oxford .... 49 Expulsion of six students from St. Edmund's Hall, Oxford,

1768 50

Their cause espoused by Mr. Richard Hill 52

Mr. Rowland Hill continues his exertions 53

LO

CONTENTS.

His skill in athletic exercises 54

Takes his degree. 1769 55

The different views of his college friends. Influence of Mr.

Berridge 56

Account of Mr. Berridge and his coadjutors 56

John Stittle 57

Chapter II

Mr. Rowland Hill refused orders by six bishops .... 59

Condolence of his friends 60

Advice of Mr. Berridge 61

Mr. Richard Hill declines preaching 62

Scruples of some of Mr. Rowland Hill's friends about subscription 63

Mr. Berridge and his followers. His advice to Mr. Rowland Hill 63

Mr. Rowland Hill is commended by Mr. "Wesley. 1770 . 64

His first visits to Bristol, and distress. 1771 65

Extracts from his diary. First sermon at Devizes ... 66

Letter of Mr. Berridge 67

Mr. Rowland Hill's journal 68-6S

Field preaching 71

Early five o'clock preaching 73

June 16, 1771. Comes for the first time to Wotton-under-

edge. Anecdote 72-73

Letter from Shipman, one of the expelled from Oxford . 74 Letter of Mr. Hunt, of Bristol, 1772 ....... 74-75

Letter of Mr. Berridge 76

Mr. Rowland Hill revives Mr. Whitefield's cause in London, 1772. His wonderful success 77

Captain Joss. Butcher Hogg 78-79

An address of Mr. Rowland Hill in 1772 80

His views of the divine decrees 81

His defence of his doctrines against Mr. Wesley .... 82

Chapter III

Mr. Rowland Hill prepares for marriage and orders . . 83

His first letter to Miss Tudway 84

Mr. Tudway's interest in his ordination 86

Letters to Miss Tudway 86

Mr. Rowland Hill's journal, 1773 90-91

Mr. Rowland Hill in prospect of orders 92

His marriage and ordination 93

Preaches his first sermon after ordination in St. Werburghs,

Bristol. Account of Mr. Rouquet 94

Mr. Rowland Hill at his curacy 96

Letter from Mr. Berridge 96

Berridge and Fletcher. Ryland. Hervey. Newton . . 97

Mr. Rowland Hill refused priest's orders. His own remark 98

CONTENTS.

Is pleased when invited to preach in a church ; but wants a

little more liberty than the church allows 99

His unequalled strength and spirits # . . . 99

Sheridan. Ambrose Serle. Dean Milner .... 100-101

Chapter IV

Mr. Hill's first sermon in 1774, at Tottenham Court chapel.

His journal 102

Richmond ; awful event 103

Gloucester, Wiltshire, Wales 104

Field campaigns. Anecdote of Howel Harris 105

Popularity of Mr. Rowland Hill in Wales. Jumpers 105-106

Trevecca. Weslevan controversy 107-111

Wotton 112

Increasing congregations in every place visited by Mr. Rowland Hill. Varied scenes of labour 113

Death of Mr. Powys, 1774. Sir Charles Middleton, afterwards Lord Barham 114

Love-feasts. Sailors 115

Mr. Rowland Hill stopped by highwaymen ; he frightens

them away 116

His mode of giving notice of his preaching 117

Anecdote of a gardener employed by Mr. Rowland Hill . 118

Mr. Rowland Hill's unwearied diligence 119

Chapter V

Societas Evangelica. Penitents 121

Notices given to Mr. Rowland Hill in the pulpit .... 122

Characteristic anecdote 122 ^

Sir Harry Trelawny 123-124

Mistakes of Mr. Rowland Hill 125

Mr. Richard Hill. Mr. Hallward 126

Hon. and Rev. W. B. Cadogan. Death of Rouquet . . . 127

Funeral sermon 128

Sunday addresses to children 129

Prison scenes — deep feeling of Mr. Rowland Hill . . . 129 Continuance of the Wesleyan controversy, 1777 .... 131 Death and funeral of Toplady, 1778. Mr. Rowland Hill's

powerful address at the interment 132

Letter of Mr. Matthews, giving an account of the last moments of Toplady 133-134

Wesley and Mr. Richard Hill 135

Newton. Romaine. Cowper the poet 136

Design of the erection of Surry chapel 137

CHAPTER VI. Sermon at laying the foundation-stone

139 140

CONTENTS.

Sermon at the opening. June 8, 1783. Alarming occurrence 141

Original trustees of Surry chapel. Mr. Rowland Hill

Death of Sir Rowland Hill. Supplies at Surry chapel . . 143

Benevolent Society. 1781 144

Alms houses. Dorcas Society, &c 145

Prayer meetings .• 146

Situation of Surry chapel 147

Sir Richard Hill 148

Spread of infidelity 149

Welsh sermons in Surry chapel 150

Letter of Peter Brown, a Moravian missionary in Antigua 151

Missions 155

Mr. Venn, of Yelling. His letter to Mr. Rowland Hill . 156 Testimony of Mr. Venn to the high and useful character of

Mr. Simeon, of Cambridge 158

CHAPTER VII. Sunday schools, 1786 160

Mr. Rowland HilTs Hymns for children corrected and improved by the poet Cowper. His letter on the subject . 161

Remarks on an expression in Cowper's letter 162

A happy death. Illness of Mr. Venn. His patience and

resignation expressed in a letter. 1791 163

Extraordinary conversions 164

Anecdote of Mr. Rowland Hill 165

Modes of preaching described. Droll sayings . . . 166-167 Wise course pursued by Mr. Rowland Hill during the

French revolution 167-168

Death of Mr. Berridge 169

Ireland. Strolling players. Expostulatory address . 169-170 Formation of the London Missionary Society, 1795 . 171-172 Missionary day at Surry chapel, instance of generosity.

Conversation in the evening 173-175

Missionary communion 176

Dr. Steinkopff. Ireland 176-177

First visit of Mr. Rowland Hill to Scotland, 1798 . 177-183

Return to Wotton 183

Admonition of the General Assembly. Establishments 184-185 Effects of controversv during Mr. Rowland Hill's second visit to Scotland, 1799 186-187

Chapter VIII

Mr. Rowland Hill's mode of preaching 189 to 201

Chapter IX

Religious Tract Society. Moving speeches 202

Characteristic letter of Mr. Rowland Hill when asked to take the chair at a meeting 203

CONTENTS.

Long speeches and flourishes in the pulpit. Interesting notice handed to Mr. Rowland Hill in the pulpit . . 204-205

Visits to the sick. Hymn 206

Letters of Mr. Ambrose Serle 208-211

Sale of curates 212

Warning to professors. Opinion of Mr. Ambrose Serle . 213

Surrv chapel communicants 214

Vaccination. Dr. Jenner . . . 216

Converted farmers 216-217

Death of Sir Richard Hill, 1808 218

Cheltenham. A chapel erected there through Mr. Rowland

Hill's influence 218

Mr. Rowland Hill's amusements 219-220

Chapter X

My own recollections of Mr. Rowland Hill 221

Anecdotes 222-223

An election anecdote 224

Cheltenham. Accident to Mr. Rowland Hill . . . 225-226

Visit to Cheltenham, 1812 227

Services of Sir Rowland Hill. His kindness. Called " the

soldier's friend." Elected member for Shrewsbury 228-229 Illuminations. Transparency at Surry chapel .... 230 Lord Hill. Interesting breakfast. Receives his sword from

the city of London 231

Illness of Mr. Rowland Hill. His letters to Mr. Wathen

when recovering 232-236

His first walk after he recovered. An aid-de-camp of the

Emperor Alexander 236-237

Chapter XI

Mr. Rowland Hill's opinion of the festivities at the conclusion of the war 239

Singular fatigues of Mr. Rowland Hill. Qualifications of

preachers 240-241

The Neale family 241

Letters from Mr. Rowland Hill to Mrs. B. Neale. Attempt

to assess Surry chapel to the rates 242-245

Churchmen and dissenters 246

Interesting anecdote 247

Oratorios at Surry chapel 248

Theophilus Jones. Advice given him by Mr. Rowland

Village preaching 252

Qualifications for the ministerial work. Good temper. Dry sermons, &c 253-254

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XII. Village itinerancy • 255-256

Letter of Mr. Rowland Hill to a Sunday school teacher 257-258

Necessity of exertions at home 259

Seamen. Waterloo bridge 200

Missionary museum. Matthew Wilks 261

Fruits of missionary zeal 202

Inconsistencies of professors of religion 203

South seas 204

Letter of Mr. Rowland Hill to Mrs. B. Neale . '. '. '. . 205

Accident to Mr. Rowland Hill 206

Letter to Mr. Jones. Sanctified affliction. Holy patience.

Rebukes 267-2G8

Mr. Hill on a missionary tour. Letters to Mr. Jones, to J. Broadley Wilson, Esq., and to a young minister in sickness 269-274

CHAPTER XIII. The society at Surry chapel 275

Letter to the author on his ordination, 1821, from Mr. Rowland Hill 276-278

Missionary journey 279

Act of liberality 280

Eastern missionary tour. Accident to Mr. Rowland Hill.

Letter to Mr. Jones. Recovery 280-284

Mr. Rowland Hill's mode of travelling, and high spirits . 284 Arduous journev. Mr. Rowland Hill's last journey to Scotland, 1824 285-290

Chapter XIV

Pastoral character, ministerial advice, and charities of Mr. Rowland Hill 291-301

Chapter XV

Mr. Rowland Hill's presents for children. Sends some to Mrs. Hannah More, with an imitation of Sternhold and Hopkins. Her remarks 302

Mrs. Rowland Hill submits to a severe operation. Her ^danger and recovery. Socinians 303-305

Mr. Rowland Hill at eighty-two. Spirituality of his sermons 305-306

His likeness taken by Miss Sheppard for a benevolent purpose. His letters on the subject 307

Journey into Wales, 1827 312

Affection of Mr. Rowland Hill's hearers. Lord Hill. Mr. J. Broadley Wilson 313-314

Cheltenham. Mr. Close 315

Fidelity of Mr. Rowland Hill's servants 316

CONTENTS.

Chapter XVI

Prophecy. Letter on thfe subject from Mr. Rowland Hill 317

Cheltenham. P's and Q.'s 321

Religion a reality 321

A visit in 1829 to Mr. Rowland Hill at Wotton .... 322

Mr. Rowland Hill on his eighty-fifth birth day .... 323

A church missionary meeting 325

Mr. Wilberforce. Lord Teignmouth 329

Chapter XVII

An account of the last illness and death of Mrs. Rowland

Hill 331

Mr. Rowland Hill's state of mind under his bereavement

evinced by his letters 333-335

Character of Mrs. Rowland Hill 336

Letter to Mr. Jones on attending the Monday evening meetings at Surry chapel 337

Leamington. Difficulties about using the liturgy in Mr. Hill's chapel. What sort of an evil is a sectarian spirit ? 338

Forms of prayer 339

Letters of Mr. Rowland Hill 339-342

Mr. Rowland Hill's views as to his successor 343

Chapter XVIII

Mr. Rowland Hill's last missionary day at Surry chapel . 346

Gift of tongues 347-350

Accident to Mr. Rowland Hill 350

Valley of humiliation 351

Mr. Rowland Hill recovers after great suffering. Letters

of Mr. Rowland Hill 352-355

Mr. Rowland Hill's increasing debility. His faith . . . 355 Wishes to attend the Bible Society in 1832. The author's

last visit to Mr. Rowland Hill at Wotton .... 356-358

Letter to Rev. J. Langley 359

Old Bigotry 361

Party spirit 362

Solemn deportment of Mr. Rowland Hill 363

Chapter XIX

The Christian sabbath. Mr. Rowland Hill's enjoyment of it 365 Some of the ladies of Mr. Rowland Hill's congregation present him with an easy chair for the pulpit. His letter of

thanks 367

He desires to be succeeded by a clergyman 368

CONTENTS.

Is of opinion that the clergy should have power to admit

certain visiters to their pulpits 368

Proposal for a droll advertisement 369

Mr. Rowland Hill's last letter to the author 370

His last sermon, March 31, 1833 371

Address to Sunday school teachers. Last illness . . 372-376 Death, April 11, 1833. A beautiful cast taken of him by

Deville. The funeral 376-378

Mr. Rowland Hill's spotless character. Anecdotes . 379-380 Mr. Rowland Hill's appearance. Danger of imitating his

extraordinary course 381-383

Beautiful saying of Mr. Rowland Hill. His writings . . 383

Juvenile works 384

Responsibility of ministers. Tablet and bust to the memory

of Mr. Rowland Hill, designed for Surry chapel . 385-387

CHAPTER XX. Retrospective view of religion during the last century . . 388

Defective theology 388

Lukewarmness and error in some, exceptions in others.

Opposition 389-390

Whitefield and Wesley. Difference of their dispositions.

Conversion 390-391

Enthusiasm of Wesley. Wesley's sermon on predestination 392-393

Romaine. Sir Harry Trelawny. Anecdote . . . 393-394

Edward Spencer 394

Berridge 395

Whitefield's want of system 396

Wesley's watch nights. Love-feasts. Classes. Bands.

Whitefield's evident sincerity 397

Controversy. Berridge's advice to Mr. Rowland Hill . . 398 Mr. Rowland Hill's resemblance to Whitefield, whose cause

he revives 399

Mr. Rowland Hill's first sermon at his curacy, called The Gospel Message, quoted in proof of his doctrines. Original sin 399^100

Invitations to sinners. Extract from Mr. Rowland Hill's

sermon on the death of Rouquet 401

Plato's view of human nature. Union of good men . . . 402 Admirable resolution of John Wesley forgotten in controversy. Perfection 403-405

Mr. Fletcher 405

Sunday schools. Education 406

Mr. Rowland Hill's regard for the church 407

Preparation for the ministry 408

Value of Academical studies -. 409

Excellencies of Mr. Rowland Hill's character . . . 410-411 Conclusion 412

THE LIFE

OF THE

REV. ROWLAND HILL.