BUD ROBINSON a Brother Beloved
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WESLEYAN HERITAGE Library Biographies BUD ROBINSON A Brother Beloved By James Blaine Chapman “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” Heb 12:14 Spreading Scriptural Holiness to the World Wesleyan Heritage Publications © 1998 BUD ROBINSON A Brother Beloved By James Blaine Chapman Beacon Hill Press Printed in U.S.A. First Printing — 1943 Second Printing — 1943 Third Printing — 1944 Fourth Printing — 1946 Copyright 1943 By Beacon Hill Press ************************************* Digital Edition 11/17/97 By Holiness Data Ministry ************************************* NO CURRENT COPYRIGHT — HDM received the following communication from Wanda Wiley, NPH/BHP copyright division: "Rev. Maxey — Re: Bud Robinson, A Brother Beloved by J.B. Chapman — This book is apparently out of print and in public domain. I have no record showing we renewed copyright." — DVM ************************************* BUD ROBINSON A Brother Beloved By James Blaine Chapman DID YOU SAY HE IS GONE? By Haldor Lillenas Bud Robinson gone! Did you say he is gone from this valley of tears? That no longer a traveler on earth he appears? He who traveled its highways for many long years, Did you say, did you say, he is gone? Bud Robinson gone! Did you say he is gone, that his tongue has been stilled? He whose "Sunshine and Smiles" all the nation has filled; That the cup of his wonderful life has been filled? Did you say, did you say, he is gone? Bud Robinson gone! Did you say he is gone to that shadowless land? Shall we meet him again on that fair, golden strand? Has the soldier obeyed his great Captain's command, Did you say, did you say, he is gone? Bud Robinson gone! Did you say he is gone? No, he lives with us yet, All his sayings and deeds we shall never forget; He will live with the years so we shall not regret His home going — he lives with us yet! ************************************* BUD ROBINSON A Brother Beloved By James Blaine Chapman CONTENTS Preface Did You Say He Is Gone? A Poem by Haldor Lillenas 1 A Brother Beloved 2 The Robinson Family 3 Bud Robinson's Personal Christian Experience 4 Two Decades of Probation 5 A Camp Meeting and Convention Favorite 6 In Labors Abundant 7 Bud Robinson as a Writer 8 At the River's Crossing 9 An Intimate Appraisal Bud Robinson, A Poem by Lon Woodrum Uncle Bud Robinson, A Poem by Raymond Browning 10 Just About Bud Robinson 11 Incidents and Sayings ************************************* BUD ROBINSON A Brother Beloved By James Blaine Chapman PREFACE Bud Robinson has gone! It still seems strange that his chats no longer appear in the Herald of Holiness. His long lists of subscriptions come no more to delight and amaze us. He has gone — gone to be with his Jesus whom he loved so devotedly. But the blessed influence of his life lives on, reminding us how the grace of God triumphs over human limitations. Upon receiving word of Bud Robinson's home-going my thoughts at once turned to the need of a biography that would extend that influence and present the story of his remarkable life to thousands of friends and also to the many who had not been privileged to see and hear him. Wanting to lose no time in securing the family's approval for such a book, a long distance call was made to Rev. George Wise, a son-in-law, in Pasadena, California. The family's consent was quickly given. Next came the problem of selecting someone to prepare the manuscript. This was not so easily solved, the task being an arduous one and requiring immediate action. Considerable research would be involved. The biographer must be someone with an adequate background of the earlier days of the church in which Bud Robinson did most of his work. The assignment also would demand an individual who would have a sympathetic understanding of the subject's handicaps and limitations, as well as an appreciation of his points of strength. All these factors pointed to Dr. J. B. Chapman. His contacts with Bud Robinson at Peniel, Texas; their relationship as editor and contributor; Dr. Chapman's popularity as a writer both within and outside our own denomination — all seemed to indicate him as the logical choice. Knowing something about his crowded schedule of speaking engagements and an already full load of writing, I rather hesitated to approach him on the subject. However, I made bold to state my case, and was delighted as well as amazed at his ready acquiescence to the proposition. At the time, we were together at the Kansas City District Preachers' Convention. During the two days, Dr. Chapman frequently conferred with me about various points in regard to the proposed book. His enthusiasm seemed to mount hourly. Later, I wrote Dr. Chapman that his absorption in and devotedness to the task made me feel that my choice had been inspired. From here on the book must speak for itself. It's now a case of proving the pudding. My close perspective may disqualify me as a competent judge. But I do think that our author has given a true picture of his subject. The case has neither been understated nor exaggerated. And Bud Robinson would have it that way. I believe he would approve the direct style of writing. I am sure that he would appreciate in particular the chapter of "Incidents and Sayings." He might forsooth be amazed at the things he said and did that live in the memory of his friends and that are now made available to all who wish to read. In my fancy I can hear Bud Robinson's inimitable chuckle at some of these anecdotes in which he figured with such ready wit and keen repartee. And so we present to you Dr. Chapman's story of Bud Robinson, A Brother Beloved who loved his Lord supremely and his fellowmen unselfishly. P. H. Lunn ************************************* BUD ROBINSON A Brother Beloved By James Blaine Chapman Chapter 1 A BROTHER BELOVED "Brother Robinson, I want you to meet Brother J. B. Chapman, a young evangelist and a friend of mine." From the couch rose a well-built man in his early forties, full-bearded, dressed in a Prince Albert suit, giving every evidence of measureless vitality and fairly beaming with hospitality. He extended his hand and gave me such a warm greeting as one would expect only from an old familiar friend. He inquired about my work and soon discovered and spoke lovingly of "Lonnie" Rogers and others whom we both knew. Three minutes earlier, at the door of the imposing looking house in which the great preacher and his family lived among a dozen or more young theologues, I had all but backed out of making the visit; five minutes later he and his wife, "Miss Sally," were offering me a home with the rest of the students there in order that I might go to school. Thus, more than forty years ago, I first met Bud Robinson. It was late in the autumn of 1901, while visiting the college at Peniel, Texas. On the campus I met O. B. Kelley, a student whose acquaintance I had made earlier that year, and he told me that he was rooming and boarding in the home of Bud Robinson. Of course I had heard the name of Bud Robinson, and to find myself right in his home town was something rather more than I expected. Brother Kelley assured me that Bud Robinson was without doubt one of the greatest preachers in the world and one of the best and most hospitable men one could meet in a lifetime. Along with his song of praise he continued to mingle invitations to accompany him to Bud Robinson's home where he was sure I would be welcome. He even assured me the great evangelist was anxious to meet me! Yet I could not quite put away the feeling that my attempt to see so important a personage was an unseemly intrusion. Who was I, an amateur preacher not yet out of my teens, that Bud Robinson should care to be bothered with being told my name? The feeling never lasted beyond the moment Bud Robinson took my hand. Early in the visit he asked, "Have you come here to go to school?" When I said I could not enter school just then, he at once supposed my reluctance was based upon a lack of funds for expenses and said, "Now, you really don't have to have much money to go to school here. You can room right here with us. Miss Sally will give you a place at the table, and your living will not cost you a cent. Then if you can manage some way to arrange for your tuition at the school, you can get along all right." Just then Sister Robinson entered the room and he called her to witness that I would be received and welcomed. I went from his presence dazed and very nearly overcome. Outside I commented to Brother Kelley that surely the Robinsons did not mean that I could come there on so short acquaintance and be received and given room and board without price. Surely these people would not take a chance like that on one whom they knew practically nothing about and whom they had just now seen for the first time. But Brother Kelley assured me they were perfectly sincere, and he joined in urging me to take them at their word, to cancel my evangelistic engagements and come at once to prepare for larger usefulness in the work of the ministry.