BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 337
a powerful organ, and one of the very best performers, the music was long
famed for its excellence ; and it was universally admitted that the liturgy was
nowhere performed with so much solemnity and effect as in the Surrey Chapel.
The powerful eloquence, however, of Mr. Hill, and the occasional eccentricities
of his manner, were the chief attractions, His language was always glowing,
and his imagery of the richest and most fascinating description. Robert
Hall observes-“ No man has ever drawn, since the days of our Saviour, such
sublime images of nature ; here Mr. Hill excels every other man.” Fettered by
no system, and squared by no rule, he gave way to his feelings with a boldness
and freedom unknown to other preachers ; and, carried away by the impulse of
the moment, frequently indulged a vein of humour and coarseness of language
unsuited to the pulpit. Mr. Hill was himself sensible of his levity in this respect,
but felt utterly incapable of resisting it. In going into the Chapel slips of paper
were occasionally handed to him, announcing the conversion of individuals, and
other good tidings, or requesting the prayers of the congregation. These he was
in the habit of reading aloud. “ On one occasion,” says his biographer, “an
impudent fellow placed a piece of paper on the desk, just before he was going to
read prayers. He took it up and began-‘ The prayers of this congregation are
desired for-umph-for-umph-well, I suppose I must finish what I have
begun-for the Ileverend Rowland Dill, tldat he wiU not go riding about in his
carriage on a Sunday.’ This would have disconcerted almost any other man ;
but he looked up with great coolness, and said, ‘If the writer of this piece of
folly and impertinence is in the congregation, and will go into the vestry after
service, and let me put a saddle on his back, I will ride him home instead of going
in my carriage.’ He then went on with the service as if nothing had happened.”
Politics
and the war frequently engrossed his attention. In preaching to a band of
volunteers at his Chapel, in 1803, he introduced a hymn, written by himself, to
the tune of God save the King; and, on the same occasion, another hymnalso
of his own composition-to the popular air of Rule Britannia, was sung
by the congregation with great effect. The first stanza of this parody is as
follows :-
Neither were his pulpit orations strictly confined to religious topics.
“ When Jesus first, at heaven’s command,
Descended from his azure throne,
Attending angels join’d his praise,
Who claim’d the kingdoms for his own.
Hail Immanuel !-Immanuel we’ll adore !
And sound his fame from shore to shore.”
In this way were the eccentricities of Mr. Hill displayed ; but always original,
and accompanied with such genuine talent, that what in others would have
appeared ridiculous, was in him not only tolerated, but esteemed; while the
many benefits which resulted from his active labours, and the fervency of his zeal,
completely overshadowed any outrages upon decorum, which his strong imagination
occasionally led him to commit.
2x
338 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
At Surrey Chapel he was thefirst to commence the system of Sunday
school teaching, now so extensively in operation over the kingdom. He was
an original promoter of the London Bible, Missionary, and Religious Tract
Societies ; and, in short almost all the other London societies, of a similar nature,
were more or less indebted to the benevolent and enterprising disposition of the
pastor of Surrey Chapel.
That the Rev. Rowland Hill was without his faults and imperfections no one
will assert. Indeed, it is almost impossible to form a just conception of his
character, his conduct may be viewed under such a variety of shade and colour.
It may justly be said, however, that “ even his failings leaned to virtue’s side.”
The virulence and acrimony displayed in the long controversy with Wesley was
perhaps the most reprehensible part of his public conduct, which, even the
ambitious motives attributed to the,“ Old FOX,”an d the circumstance of his being
the first to commence hostilities, cannot altogether palliate, The position maintained
by Mr. Hill between church and dissent was also an undefinable and
most unprofitable piece of conceit ; insomuch that, notwithstanding his professed
zeal for the union of Christians, it stood as a mighty stumbling-block in the way.
Of the private life of Rowland Hill there are many curious anecdotes.
One morning a dispute occurred betwixt his coachman and footman, as to who
should go for milk to the family. The coachman was mre “it was no business
of his”-and the footman was equally “ certain it was none of his.” Mr. Hill
having overheard the quarrel, ordered the carriage out and the footman to
attend. He then got the milk pitcher into the carriage, and ordered the coachman
to drive to the dairy. On his return, he addressed the disputants in his
usual forcible manner, and endeavoured to convince them, from the unnecessary
trouble they had occasioned, of the folly of stickling so pugnaciously for their
“ rights.”
Owing partly to his own eccentric character, but more especially to the political
influence of his connections, he was on familiar terms with some of the
Royal family, and was supposed to have considerable influence at court. Many
applications for his patronage were consequently made, and among these not a
few of a curious nature. The following scene we cannot resist quoting in the
words of his biographer :-‘‘ I well remember one morning the footman ushered
in a most romantic-looking lady. She advanced with measured steps, and with
an air that caused Mr. Hill to retreat towards the fireplace. She began-
‘ Divine Shepherd.’
“Pon my word, ma’am.’
‘ I hear you have great influence with the Royal family.’
‘ Well, ma’am ; and did you hear anything else 1’
‘ Now, seriously, sir--my son has the most wonderful poetic powers.
‘Well, I wonder what will come next,’ muttered Mr. Hill in a low tone.
‘Yes, sir, pardon the liberty; and therefore I called to ask you to get him
Sir,
his poetry is of a sublime order-noble, original, fine.’
made Poet Laweate.’
