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"An Alarm to the frequenters of Plays, wrote by a Religious Person" handwritten broadside, C0445, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries
Purchased from L&T Respess Books in 2017.
Processing completed by Meghan Glasbrenner in February 2025. Finding aid completed by Meghan Glasbrenner in March 2025.
Born on August 23, 1744 in Shropshire, England, Rowland Hill is best remembered as an evangelical preacher and minister who often preached in the open air without a license, putting him in opposition to the authorities and crowds of locals. In 1783 he built and founded the independent, non-denominational Surrey Chapel in Blackfriars, London and would go on to establish a number of Sunday Schools and charity societies, such as the Religious Tract Society. In 1806, he opened a medical clinic attached to Surrey Chapel after becoming an early proponent of smallpox vaccination due to his friendship with Dr. Edward Jenner. Hill was also well-known for having a strong aversion to theatre and the attendance of proclaimed Christians at plays, believing "Religion is the Christian's truest treat, Christ is his enjoyment" (Graves 2024). Hill passed away on April 11, 1833 at the age of 88 and was initially buried below his pulpit at Surrey Chapel, before later being moved to the Lincoln Memorial Tower in Lambeth.
Handwritten manuscript copy of an anti-theatre broadside written by preacher Rowland Hill titled "Alarm to the frequenters of plays, wrote by a religious person." This title is written on the back of the manuscript to be displayed when folded. On the front side is a full page of text mimicking a theatrical broadside or play bill advertising a "play" titled "'The Great Assize" to be performed at "the Theatre of the Universe". The manuscript begins with large text written at the top of the front side reading: "By Command of The King of Kings. (At the Desire of all who Love his Appearing) At The Theater of The Universe. On the Eve of Time, will be performed The Great Assize or Day of Judgement." The manuscript ends with a notation stating "The above is a Copy of a Play Bill which was Stuck up at Richmond on Saturday the 4th June 1774. The King's Birth Day Close to the Bill for that Day." Based on the birthday and date, the king referenced is likely King George III of England.
The Special Collections Research Center holds other manuscripts and broadsides, including the North American 19th century theatre broadside collection and Illuminated manuscript leaf.
Contemporary commercial copies of Hill's broadside are held at Cambridge University Library's Special Collections and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust archives.
This is a single item collection.
"British School, 18th Century - The Revd Rowland Hill (1744-1833)." n.d. Accessed March 12, 2025. https://www.rct.uk/collection/420810/the-revd-rowland-hill-1744-1833.
Graves, Dan. 2024. "Rowland Hill: Theater Going Will Never Do." Christian History Institute. August 14, 2024. https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/blog/post/rowland-hill-against-theater.
"Rowland Hill (1744-1833)." n.d. Find a Grave. Accessed March 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/109530506/rowland-hill.
"Rowland Hill (Preacher)." 2024. In