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    to the kind protection of that Almighty Bdag who in kO many instances has manifested his goodness , and in this was

    pleased to bless the means made use of . I consider this the more remarkable as I was much exposed to the infection , from many of the diseased poor applying to me for relief , being at that time overseer of the poor . "

    " The year 1804 , " says Mr . Bicknell , " was another remarkable year * I had lived at Ponder ' s End fourteen years , and had no desire of making any change , my school being in a prosperous state , and my circumstances comfortable , when a cloud at oncerburst over me . A neighbour clandestinely purchased the

    premises which 1 occupied , and though I could have retaiued possession of them for some time longer , yet , fearing some litigation , I determined immediately to quit . I purchased suitable premises at Tooting , and removed hither at Christmas of this year , I am thankful to my heavenly Father for having provided me with so comfortable a habitation , without fear in future of an

    overbearing landlord or a covetous neighbour , — -I continued , " adds Mr . Bicknell , " in the same round of assiduous duty for several years , without any material interruption , and I trust not only to the improvement of my pupils in natural science , but also to their spiritual welfare , in their duty to God and man . May the Almighty be pleased to water the good seed which has thus been-sown i" Under

    the year 1806 , Mr . Bicknell remarks—* ' The evening shades were approaching anl my strength abating * I found it necessary in some degree to lessen my former labours in the school . I found my son ' s assistance very useful , and I took him into partnership / ' This

    comparative leisure enabled him to pursue his favourite science of Theology more closely . Mr . Bicknell had indeed for some years been gradually recediug from the paths of reputed Orthodoxy , but about this time he became , if not a decided simple , humanitarian , something very nearly akin to it . With whatever reluctance the

    writer of this article may record this fact , yet he considers that he should injure the memory of the dead if he withheld it . " I profess myself , " says he , " to be neither Calvinist , or Arminian , or Arian , or Socinian , or the disciple of any man whatever ; yet I desire to be a disciple of the blessed Redeemer , to imitate him in

    all his heavenly virtues ; and if in any respect 1 err in judgment , 1 humbly trust that my mind may be illuminated by the Divine Spirit , so as to know and uuder * - atatid the truth as it is in Jesus . May the Almighty pardon my every defect !" 1 " 1811 , continues Mr . Bicknell , " I removed with my wife aud daughters to

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    Mitcham , leaving my son to Conduct the schools I , however , though at a distance of two miles , continued to talre some part in the school business almost daily ^ I experienced , indeed , occasional interrupt tians from increasing debility . " Jn the course of this year , Mr . Drummondi aa

    artist of the first rank , published a portrait of Mr . Bicknell , from an approved likeness by himself , and which he respectfully dedicated to Mr . Bickiiell ' s late pupils . In , 1818 , Mr . Bicknell remarks"I removed to Richmond , and relinquished my assistance in the school altogether By the blessing of God , I am still in

    possession of my health and of a quiet habi r tation . I praise God for all his favours I " About this time he had an attack of dysentery , which continued at times to the end of his life . On his birth-day of the next year he makes the following remark — Ai I am this day seventy years of age , and though subject to those infirmities

    incident to old age , yet I still possess , Iq a considerable degree , all my corporeal faculties , and retain full possession of my intellectual powers , which I humbly pray my heavenly Father may be continued to me the residue of my days . " His health and strength were now fast declining , yet his habitual activity and cheerfulness

    never forsook him : these seem to have been innate in his constitution . Though now exempted from all business , yet every day brought its employment . I never saw the least disposition in him to indolence during his whole life . Cheerfulness also formed a prominent feature in his

    character . He was much in the habit of calling upon some of his neighbours in the course of his daily walks , for the purpose of friendly conversation . These visits * were always acceptable and interesting . Slanders or offensive inquiries never appeared . If he found his friends dull , he entered

    upon some cheerful detail calculated to cheer—some pleasing anecdote—some narrative from a modern voyage or tra ^ velsi—some exemplification of the kindness of Divine Providence—some useful advice to the young—some important or amusing hints to the aged . Young people loved his society , and the old admired it . Can it be wondered that when these visits

    were discontinued by death , the visitor should be deplored as a lost father and a friend ? In 1320 , a lovely daughter , his youngest child , died , and was buried on the very day which had been appointed for her marriage . This greatly afflicted him ; but in the beginning of the next year a stiU heavier wave came over him in the death

    of his beloved wife ; " On Friday , Janu 12 th , " he observes , * ' my beloved wife , and the affectionate mother of my children , took her flight to the land of rest ,

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    mm ® $% t ^ - ^ ea r *

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1826, page 53, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2544/page/53/