Reuben “Uncle Bud” Robinson Grave

Reuben “Uncle Bud” Robinson

“I’m a happy Christian. I’m so full of the love of Jesus that I feel like I could swing out over hell on a cornstalk and spit in the devil’s eye.”
(Reuben “Uncle Bud” Robinson)

Reuben “Uncle Bud” Robinson: The Country Evangelist Who Set Hearts on Fire

Reuben Archer “Uncle Bud” Robinson (1860–1942) was one of the most beloved evangelists in American holiness circles—a man whose simple faith, homespun humor, and fiery preaching carried the message of salvation and sanctification to thousands across the country. Though he came from humble beginnings and struggled with speech and learning difficulties, Robinson’s life became a powerful testimony of how God can use an ordinary man to accomplish extraordinary things. His story remains a living illustration of grace, perseverance, and joy in the Lord.

Humble Beginnings in the Hills of Tennessee

Reuben Archer Robinson was born on May 26, 1860, in a log cabin in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, near Sevier County, Tennessee. His family was poor, and formal education was almost nonexistent in the remote mountain region. Robinson himself would later joke that he was “born in a log cabin and educated in the school of hard knocks.”

Life was hard for the Robinson family. As a boy, Reuben labored in the fields and learned the value of hard work, though he never learned to read or write fluently until later in life. He spoke with a pronounced stutter, which he battled for years and which made him self-conscious in public. Yet, despite these obstacles, his heart was tender toward the things of God. He was reared in a religious home, and the seed of faith was planted early, though it would take years before it bore fruit.

A Dramatic Conversion

Robinson’s conversion came in 1880 at a Methodist camp meeting. At the time, he was a young man weighed down by sin, guilt, and spiritual confusion. During the revival services, he was powerfully convicted of his need for Christ. As he later recounted in his plain-spoken style, “The Lord saved me that night, and I’ve been shouting ever since.”

His conversion was so real and transformative that it marked the turning point of his entire life. Gone was the shy, awkward farmhand—he emerged a bold witness for Christ. Not long after his conversion, he experienced what the holiness tradition called “entire sanctification,” a deeper work of grace that cleansed his heart and filled him with the Spirit’s power. This second blessing became a lifelong theme of his preaching.

The Call to Preach

Shortly after his salvation, Robinson felt called to preach the Gospel. At first, the idea seemed impossible. He had little education, spoke with a stammer, and lacked confidence. But he believed that if God could save him, God could also use him.

His early sermons were simple and direct, but they carried a spiritual authority that was undeniable. His country dialect and stuttering speech, far from being hindrances, endeared him to audiences who recognized his sincerity. “Uncle Bud,” as he came to be affectionately known, preached not with polish but with power.

He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and began preaching wherever he could—schoolhouses, brush arbors, street corners, and revival tents. Eventually, his ministry drew the attention of holiness leaders, and he became associated with the emerging Church of the Nazarene, a denomination that embodied his emphasis on personal holiness and the fullness of the Spirit.

A National Evangelist

By the early 1900s, “Uncle Bud” Robinson had become one of the most widely known holiness evangelists in America. He traveled extensively—by horse, train, and eventually automobile—preaching to vast crowds across the United States and Canada. He was especially popular at camp meetings and revival gatherings, where his joyful demeanor and humorous storytelling drew people in.

His preaching style was unique. He was unpretentious, plainspoken, and deeply earnest. He often used vivid illustrations from rural life, making spiritual truths understandable to ordinary people. His humor was wholesome and disarming. Between jokes and anecdotes, he would drive home powerful appeals for repentance, faith, and holy living.

One of his most famous sayings captured his simple theology: “I’m a happy Christian. I’m so full of the love of Jesus that I feel like I could swing out over hell on a cornstalk and spit in the devil’s eye.” Such colorful expressions became part of his charm, endearing him to listeners and reinforcing his image as a joyful servant of Christ.

A Life of Fruitful Ministry

Over his long career, Robinson is said to have preached more than 30,000 sermons and led tens of thousands to faith in Christ. He wrote numerous books and pamphlets, though his writing style remained as simple and direct as his preaching. His best-known book, Uncle Bud Robinson: The Country Preacher, along with The Sunshine Side of Life and Laughing Along Life’s Way, shared his spiritual insights and humor with readers across the nation.

In addition to preaching, Robinson was a prolific letter writer. He sent countless personal notes of encouragement to ministers, laypeople, and new converts. His compassion and kindness made him beloved wherever he went.

Despite his popularity, Robinson remained humble. He lived modestly, giving much of his income to the poor or to support missions. He often said, “I’d rather be a humble preacher of Jesus than the king of England.”

Trials and Triumphs

Life was not without hardship for Uncle Bud. He endured frequent illness, exhaustion from travel, and periods of financial strain. His speech impediment never entirely left him, though he learned to overcome it by slowing his speech and relying on God’s help. Through it all, his joy remained undimmed.

He frequently testified, “I have served the Lord over sixty years and never have had a blue day.” His faith was marked by gratitude and cheerfulness—qualities that made his preaching contagious. To many, he embodied the holiness ideal: a life entirely surrendered to God, radiant with the joy of salvation.

Legacy and Influence

Reuben “Uncle Bud” Robinson passed away on November 2, 1942, at the age of eighty-two. At the time of his death, he was revered across denominational lines as one of the most effective evangelists of his generation. His funeral drew large crowds, and tributes poured in from preachers and laypeople alike who had been touched by his ministry.

His legacy endures in several ways:

• First, he helped popularize the message of holiness in America, making it accessible to everyday people. Through his humor and humility, he demonstrated that sanctification was not a lofty doctrine but a practical reality available to all believers.
• Second, he modeled perseverance in the face of obstacles. Despite poverty, limited education, and physical challenges, he became a national figure because he refused to let anything hinder his obedience to God’s call.
• Finally, his life continues to remind Christians that joy and holiness belong together. For Uncle Bud Robinson, holiness was not grim or dour—it was radiant, overflowing, and full of laughter. He showed that a sanctified heart produces not pride or pretense, but the simple happiness of walking daily with Jesus.

Conclusion

Reuben “Uncle Bud” Robinson’s story is one of grace multiplied through humble faith. From a stammering farm boy in the hills of Tennessee to one of the most beloved evangelists in American history, his journey testifies to the transforming power of God’s Spirit.

He preached with laughter, wept over souls, and lived a life so filled with joy that it drew countless others to the Savior. His message still rings true: God delights in using ordinary people who will trust Him fully. Uncle Bud’s cheerful faith reminds every generation that holiness is not a burden—it is the sunshine side of life.