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    Towards tb ^ end of the year l $ ff t Mr . Bieknell married Miss Elizabeth RandaHf by whom lie bad a ntunerous family . The character of this excellent woman as a wife , a mother , and a mistress of a family , is beyond all . praise *

    Those who best knew her will not think the following words a higher eulogy than she deserved : ' * Her children arise up and call her blessed ; her husband also , and he praiseth her . Many daughters have done virtuously , bat thou excellest them all . " * Soon after this time , also ,

    Mr . Bieknell appears to have entertained doubts of the truth of the doctrine of endless misery . He perceived some difficulties on this subject , and being naturally of an inquiring and speculative furo of mind , he became very solicitous for

    farther information . He formed an acquaintance with Mr . John Cue , and the late Mr . Leicester , a clergyman of the Established Church , who , I believe , were both , at this time , Uuirersalists , and from whom he received some iqformation on the doctrine of universal

    restitution . He also perused the writings of White and Stonefiouse on this doctrine . Nothing very particular , however , transpired till the year 1787 , when the late Mr . Elhanaa Winchester landed in England from America . This gentleman was introduced to Mr . Bieknell soon

    after his arrival , and a friendship was formed which continued as long as he remained in England . His opinion of Mr . Winchester will be seen by the following extract from his memoirs : " Although not a literary character , his eloquence , amazing memory and natqral

    genius , with his extensive knowledge in biblical learning , formed hini one of the greatest orators that I ever heard in the pulpit , and the most animating and pleasing preacher I ever did or ever expect to hear . He wrote five Dialogues on the Universal Restoration , which I

    perused in manuscript , and with which I was so charmed that I offered to publish them at my own expense . " It appears from private papers in the possession of Mr . Bickftell ' s family , that fre not only published the dialogues at his own risk , but also gave Mr . Winchester die sum p €

    twenty guineas for the copy-right . This work was first published in 1788 , and an a very short time the whole edition of a thousand copies was sold . When Mr * Winchester published a second edition

    the copy-right | ia # been returned to him by Mr . Bioknetl ; the letter which contained this / surrender is prefixed to the dialogues , Nolhiwg , indeed , could exceed che intimacy which subsisted between t < fae subject of this memoir and 1 * "" e ' -f- ' * ¦ > " " ; ' - " ¦ * "' ' * Prov . xxx . 28 , 29 .

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    Mt . Winchester . He wm « dw *| jk re ^ eeived as a member of the family ; and whenever his finances ran low they were supplied by the purse of his friend , "| iti though he was himself by no Hieautfiii

    affluent circumstances . I have heard a w * y near relation to Mr . Bieknell assert , that such was tbe con&dence which Mr * Winche&ter had ia hi& friendship , thai he has beep known , when he wanted change , to go into the shop of his friend and heip himself to money froru the tttf .

    1 must , however , mention , to the honour of this American stranger , that when fee afterwards became a popular presetted and a man Of influence , that he ttsetfcfeis utmost endeavours to serve his friend ^ and in many instances did it very sut > eesgfull y ^

    But an important change was now -about to take place ia the situation and employment of Mr . Bieknell . He thus aflfectingly mentions it : "i had now foulchildren , my wife in a feeble state of health , and my business , from various causes , fast declining . This caused me

    many serious thoughts , and I was sometimes ready to despond . 1 remembered that the same kind Providence which had hitherto supported me under every difficulty would not forsake me , and which eventually I found to be the case , 1

    acknowledge this with gratitude to my heavenly Father . After many painful struggles of mind , and by the advice and encouragement of a few friends , 1 agreed to take a boarding-school which had been offered me . " This important step Mr . Winchester greatly promoted . He perceived that Mr . Bicknell was muah

    better fitted for the important duties of a schoolmaster than those of a tradesman . At Michaelmas , 1789 , he finally left Uoudon , and , under considerable discouragements , began his new career at

    Ponder ' s Eud , near En field . At first he was much annoyed by the noise and turbulence of a set of rude boys ; but in a short time he succeeded in establishing good order , and in gaining the respect and affection of his pupils . It is by no

    Hieaus necessary to enter mto a minute detail of his school plans . Sufliet ; it , therefore , to say , that such was his activity and diligence , that he infused a vigour into all around him . The health ,

    comfort , and even the amusements of his pupUti , were alike the object of his atte tit ion . I have often seen him joining in the sports of the play-ground ; but it was never done with the least

    diminution of bis authority as a tutor . The moment the hour of business arrived he expected seriousness and attention . I € lie erred , \ t was rather a , ? a rigid disciplinarian than the contrary ; but he always considered thfit ohe gteat secret

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    Qbtiuary . *~ Mr . TFUUam Bithnett . 54

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1826, page 51, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2544/page/51/