Born: Hopkinsville, Kentucky, 1831.Died: Eureka, Illinois, 1912.
Born: Hopkinsville, Kentucky, 1831.
Died: Eureka, Illinois, 1912.
Few women in Illinois exerted a wider or better influence on her generation than Miss Dickinson. Her father brought her in 1835, with his family, to Walnut Grove, now Eureka. This was her place of residence throughout her life. She was in almost all of her Christian service a true pioneer. Beginning her teaching with the "little ones" in the academy, she continued her work in the classroom through twenty-nine years.
She was actively associated with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and traveled in its interest during its formative period for five years. It was her desire to serve in some foreign mission field, and, as the Disciples of Christ had not then reached this point in their growth, Miss Dickinson asked the Baptists to send her out. They could not accept her unless she would become a Baptist, which she could not do. The Woman's Union Missionary Society of New York were financially unable to send her. Thus was she providentially kept at home for a larger service.
She became the founder and leader of the Christian Woman's Board of Missions in Illinois, and one of the most efficient co-operants in their national society. Her self-imposed task of laying the foundation of this work in Illinois was a most difficult one. As a missionary advocate and educator she was an unwelcome visitor in many places. Not a few wished that she would pass them by.
She was keenly sensitive to all this uninformed indifference and crass opposition, but with a divine vision she bore it all and worked on. The years vindicated her wisdom, and a multitude of Christly women now rejoice in the magnificent results and move forward. Her life was thoroughly devoted, and her moral courage the finest. She was a true handmaid of the Lord, whose work will survive all the mutations of time.