Editor's Note: Readers of The Kentucky Explorer have been introduced to the Rev. John J. Dickey in past issues. Remember that he was a traveling preacher throughout the eastern part of the state during the years between 1880 and 1925. He helped to establish numerous churches and at least two colleges. He was also a teacher and a newspaper editor. However, his most enduring gift to us today may well be his diary that he kept faithfully during some 50 years of his later life beginning in the 1880s. In all, over 6,000 pages written in his own hand make up this interesting digest.
May 7, 1898 Manchester, Kentucky I was 75 years old today, am in robust health, am enjoying my work as well as at any previous time in my life. I am not as active as when younger, but I enjoy work as much and can accomplish more mental labor in a given length of time as ever before. In the last year my power of endurance has greatly improved. I preach with less fatigue than before and recuperate from prostration much quicker. It is a source of great gratification to me to be able to ride a circuit of 100 miles and enjoy the exercise. After so many long years of forced retirement from the itin-eracy, this marks a wonderful exhibition of God's kindness to me. I have lately felt that the circumstances would compel me to resume teaching again for a short time, but I trust that God will make it possible for me to continue in the itinerancy. I am still trying by correspondence to get a man to come to Manchester and do the work of teaching which must be done by someone qualified by Christian character to lift up the youth of our country, may such a one be found. I inherited a fine constitution, and only for the abuse I gave it by sedentary life I might today be as strong as ever. When I was born my father was 37 years old and my mother 33. I was the 5th child; my brother James, next oldest, was six years my senior. I count it a great mercy to have enjoyed a parentage of such vigorous constitution, so free from any vicious habits, so chaste and pure in heart and life. What an inheritance! Again it was good fortune to have a country home rather than a town or city residence. This gave me exemption from the pernicious influences of town life. The town fosters idleness and idleness breeds vice. The town imports an idea of superiority which is very hurtful to the young, and they lose interest in the great masses that have not the advantages of culture and refinement that town people enjoy. I know not how much of life is in this world yet for me, but whatever it be I am resolved to devote it to the great work of helping humanity up to God. I place myself afresh in the hands of my Master and say from the depth of my soul "not my will but Thine be done."
May 14, 1898
May 17, 1898 |
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