Reuben “Uncle Bud” Robinson
During my studying this past week I was reminded of a story my father likes to tell about an old Nazarene preacher by
the name of “Uncle Bud Robinson.” Uncle Bud Robinson was a character.
He would pray…
Lord Jesus; help me to declare war on the devil.
Give me a backbone as big as a saw log,
and ribs like crossties,
and iron shoes along with galvanized breeches,
and give me a rhinoceros hide for a skin,
and hang a barrel full of determination in the gable-end of my soul.
Help me to sign the contract to fight the devil as long as I live.
Help me to beat him as long as I’ve got fists,
and to kick him as long as I’ve got feet,
and to bite him as long as I’ve got teeth.
And when I’m too old to hit him with my fists
and to kick him with my feet,
and when I no longer have a tooth to bit him,
help me to gum him until I die.
All this for Christ’s sake…Amen.
Reuben “Uncle Bud” Robinson 1860-1942 was born in a log cabin in the primitive mountain region of Tennessee. When he was 16, his father died, and his mother sold what little they had and moved to Texas. After an unsuccessful endeavor as a sharecropper, Bud hired out as a ranch hand.
In August of 1880, during a camp meeting, he felt deep conviction for his sin and trusted Christ as his Savior and was gloriously saved. That same night, while lying under the wagon with his hat on a mesquite stump for a pillow, the Lord called him to preach.
Although he had no education and stuttered so badly that he could hardly tell his name, yet in the first year of his ministry he saw about 300 conversions in his meetings. On January 10, 1893, he married Miss Sallie Harper at Georgetown, Texas.
The remaining 60 years of his ministry were given to evangelism. While lacking formal education, Uncle Bud had a wisdom all of his own. It was an unusual insight into the purpose for the redeemed man here on earth, a holy walk, day by day.
During his long ministry, it is estimated that Uncle Bud traveled over 2,000,000 miles, preached over 33,000 ser- mons, witnessed more than 100,000 conversions, personally gave more than $85,000.00 in helping young people with their Christian education.
In spite of his handicaps and physical ailments, speech impediment and lack of education, he made the Who’s Who of California. From Boston to Los Angeles, thousands thronged to hear him, charmed by his homespun wit and his unique presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His life was one of activity, and his will to his dying hour was to serve his Lord. He went to be with the Lord on November 2, 1942. I guess within the next 50years, or so, I will chill with Uncle Bud in Heaven.