Rowland Hill—The second Whitefield

‘There are three men, who are the most powerful preachers that England has ever produced, and yet only two of them [Whitefield and Spurgeon] are well known.’ As its opening words imply (p.7), this book’s aim is to present the third — Rowland Hill — to a generation that knows little or nothing about him.

Tim Shenton records his birth into a prominent Shropshire family in 1744, his conversion while at Eton, his early preaching despite much persecution, and his remarkable ministry at Wotton-under-Edge and Surrey Chapel, London. Attention is also given to his more extensive evangelistic labours, his philanthropy, and his support for smallpox vaccination. The final chapters evaluate the man and his ministry.

The author is not blind to Hill’s weaknesses and eccentricities, including allowing his humour excessive liberty while preaching, his unchristian attitude towards John Wesley, his tendency to haughtiness and obstinacy, and his quick sense of injury. What shines through, however, is Hill’s bold gospel proclamation and the divine power that so often accompanied his preaching.

An index and list of sources would have been helpful. One incident seems to have been taken from the life of Whitefield, and it must be said that some examples of Hill’s ‘humour’ do not travel well over time. However, this is a fine presentation of a long-neglected figure who, in Spurgeon’s words, ‘made religion a delight and the worship of God a pleasure’ (p.168).

Rowland Hill's father, a Baronet, wanted him to be ordained into the Anglican Church since six livings in Norfolk were in the Hill family's gift. As they were confined to fellows of St John's College, Cambridge, that is where Rowland was sent. However, since he became only a fellow commoner, he was ineligible for any of the livings. Following his conversion at 18, he had a calling to preach. He eventually came under the influence of George Whitefield, to whom he has been compared, both with regard to the numbers to whom he preached and the conversions that followed. One result of his "irregular" preaching ministry was that it was some years before he was ordained into the Anglican Ministry, much to his fathers displeasure. Along with other contemporary preachers, he met with fierce resistance - with stones and eggs being thrown, and on one occasion a snake being released in the crowd. Yet, like others, he could say: "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy..." And so he did, until his death. Early in life, he had a "yearning to have a heart totally given up to God's service...." His prayer was granted. This and more is what make this biography so readable. Moreover, given that God does not change, those who similarly seek to serve the Lord in this generation, unconditionally and unreservedly, are certain to find their prayers richly answered.