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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.
In this journal of his, Dickey often wrote down accounts of events
daily. Much of the material concerns his day to day life. However,
during the late 1890s he began to gather family history on various
families he met in his travels. We are offering these interviews
to our readers in the hope that they will be appreciated in the
sense that Rev. Dickey intended. These interviews were written
word for word as they were given to Rev. Dickey. Nothing has
been changed.
March 23, 1898
While at secret prayer in the house of Mr. Carnahan I was impressed
that I should open up school in Manchester. I was praying, as
I had been for some time for God to provide for my wants. I had
no money and no prospect of getting any. I had nothing to buy
postage stamps, hence had to quit patronizing the mail. I had
on my back my only suit of clothes. My wash woman had bills against
me for three or four weeks, and I had no money to take my laundry
from the office. My board was behind for the entire time of my
residence here, except $12. These things are still so. I came
here to be used of God to lift up this county. I came ready to
do anything but I did not think that I would ever again teach
school. This has been my settled purpose for eight years, ever
since I quit in Breathitt County. My plan was to get godly men
and women to come here from the interior of the state and teach
at various points in the county and build up communities.
I wrote long letters to H. W. Bromley and Rev. J. W Hughes at
Wilmore, laying the needs of this people before the students
of that school that they might be moved to "come over and
help me." But I have not had a line of response. I have
looked upon this desolation since last October and prayed that
God in His own way, would take it away and give prosperity. A
good school is indispensable to the accomplishment of this work.
I see no way to have it but to make it. It is a new building
about 25' by 30' with a vestibule and small recitation room.
The addition of one room would give capacity for all the students
I would have for some time. In fact by throwing the vestibule
and recitation room together by simply removing the short petition
between them, two teachers could manage 60 or 70 students, and
this is as many as we could hope to have. Still, if an additional
room were built this summer, it would advertize the school and
largely increase the attendance, doubtless.
I would prefer to have everybody who would do so go to London,
especially if that school is made an institution for the salvation,
as well as the intellectual development of pupils. I want the
people of Clay County elevated and whatever means will best produce
that result I pray to be used. Teaching is hard work. It is a
work which I feel but poorly qualified to do. I lack at many
points. Yet, I love it. There is nothing so trying to the patience
as the perplexities of the school room. But what are all these
hardships compared to the glorious results which will most certainly
crown my efforts. The pulpit, the press, and the schools are
the great levers of civilization. I found Manchester without
any of these, but by the help of God she shall have them all.
True, we had churches, but no pastors. We have a little printing
press, but no paper worthy the name, and a small schoolhouse,
but no school.
I will not take a step without the assurance that God goes before.
I would greatly prefer to preach, but ever in that field I can
see no conversions. I can teach the people, but I cannot move
them to action, for this power I have prayed. I have desired
it above all gifts, but it seems to be withheld. I love pastoral
work.
When I came to this county I felt that I had at last reached
that point in my history so long prayed for, viz, the season
of soul winning of pastoral care and success in building up God's
church. But alas! I see but little fruit and bread to sustain
the body is withheld. All this seems to point to the establishment
of a school here as my work. As I said before at Bro. Carnahan
the second ultimo the impression came to me for the first time
I told Sister Carnahan that morning that I believed God had given
me the key to victory, while I had prayed, though I do not tell
her what it was. I need a Godly woman here so much, and this
plan will bring here. The Lord lead me.
April 4, 1898
Manchester, Kentucky
I preached in town yesterday morning and at night at Dr. Burchell's
schoolhouse, a mile from town. Attended both Sunday Schools and
conducted both. Stayed all night at Dr. Burchell's and took tea
at Mr. Crooks.
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