HILL ROWLAND: (1744-1833) English Preacher, an influential advocate of smallpox vaccination. A.L.S., R Hill, two ...

HILL ROWLAND: (1744-1833) English Preacher, an influential advocate of smallpox vaccination. A.L.S., R Hill, two pages, small 4to, Wotton, 22nd May 1810, to [Revd. John] Griffin. Hill states that he should have written to his correspondent before leaving London 'to request a repetition of your visit at Surrey Chapel where there are multitudes that love you much in the Lord and are very happy to see you', and adds that Griffin will be required for five or six sabbaths from the 14th October, also remarking 'While we were much alarmed at your late dangerous visitation, but feel ourselves very thankful to God that you are spared' and continuing 'Our dear Br. Sibree still continues under his affliction tho I trust it is not altogether so heavy upon him as it has been. Our dear Br. Jay has also been under a serious visitation, he has a propensity to apoplexy which is at all times dangerous. Should I loose any of my dear summer visitants to Surrey Ch. I don't know where I shd. find those that would be more beloved or prove more acceptable so that from selfish motives you have my hearty prayers that the Lord would preserve you all'. Together with a second A.L.S., Rowld. Hill (both the signature and text entirely in a secretarial hand), two pages, small 4to, Surrey Chapel, 30th April 1832, also to Revd. John Griffin ('My Dear Brother Griffin'). Hill informs his correspondent that he is obliged, owing to weakness, to escape London before the Missionary Meetings and wishes to have matters organised before he does, further asking Griffin 'how far you can favor us with your kind assistance in your accustomed visits to Surry Chapel' during November. Hill continues 'As to myself, my bodily strength declines apace, the little strength remaining is soon exhausted, so that I am obliged to depend upon others for that assistance in the performance of those duties which I am now incapable of performing myself. My eyesight is so nearly gone, that I cannot read a chapter in the Bible, or correspond with any of my friends. Oh! for patience and resignation in my declining days….' With integral address leaf bearing a black wax seal (small area of paper loss where originally broken). About VG, 2