Rev. Rowland Hill, one of the celebrated evangelical preachers of England was born at Hawkstone Park, Shropshire, 23rd August, 1744, and died at London 11th April, 1833. He was educated at Eton and St. John’s College, Cambridge, where he came under the influence of the Methodists. His zeal in preaching the gospel accompanied as it was with a dash of eccentricity soon made him a marked figure. For preaching in the open air in and around Cambridge without licence he was opposed by the authorities and frequently assaulted by mobs. He was refused ordination by six bishops but finally he was ordained by the Bishop of Bath and Wells to the curacy of Kingston, Somersetshire. Not only did he meet with opposition from outsiders but his own father, Sir Rowland Hill, Bart, strongly opposed him and forbade him preaching near his residence. A pious sister, however, and his brother, afterwards Sir John Hill, who were like-minded with him gave him their support. When his father died, Rowland, was heir to the baronetcy and estate but he renounced these on behalf of his brother, John. From a legacy left him by his father he built Surrey Chapel, London, in 1783. Here he preached to immense audiences till his death. Attached to the Chapel there were thirteen Sabbath Schools with an enrolment of 3000 children. Rowland Hill visited Scotland and Ireland and wherever he went he drew immense crowds. His eccentricities, no doubt, have not been lessened in the telling but behind them all there was a deep seriousness in preaching the everlasting gospel. “I may,” he said on one occasion in answer to a charge made against his style of preaching, “sometimes forget my subject but I never forget my object in preaching.” The incident referred to in the verses succeeding this sketch occurred according to report while he was preaching in the open air in Moorfields, London, where a vast concourse of people had gathered. His text was Song of Solomon, 1: 5: “I am black but comely.” While discoursing on these words it so happened that Lady Ann Erskine in a coach corresponding with her high position passed the way. Seeing the multitude she asked one of her attendants the cause of such crowds. She was informed that it was to hear Rowland Hill. Pausing in his discourse and raising his voice the impassioned preacher said: “My brethren, I am going to hold an auction and I crave your attention.” Then to their amazement he announced that it was a Lady that was to be put up for sale and that there were three bidders for her soul — the world, the devil, and the Lord Jesus. Lady Ann never forgot the preacher’s appeal so strangely and unexpectedly made. She afterwards was associated with the worthy Lady Huntingdon in her religious enterprise.