church. A revival and anti-revival party sprung up,
and were arrayed against each other for many years.
At length, the revival party yielded, and went back,
and the revival ceased." This advice was given and
statement made when Col. Provine was in his eighty-
fourth year, and on his death-bed. A full account of
the schism to which he alluded, and the causes leading
to it, may be seen in Dr. Hodge's " Constitutional His-
tory of the Presbyterian Church ;" also, in a work
lately published, called the " Log College." The causes
which led to that division, were somewhat similar to
those which gave rise to the Cumberland Presbyterian
church.
Mr. Donnell was always strongly opposed to an or-
ganic union with the old church, unless the Cumber-
REV. ROBERT DONNELL. 31
land Presbyterian Confession of Faith could become
the creed of both parties. The subject of uniting with
the New School branch of the Presbyterian church,
came up in our General Assembly, while in session at
Lebanon, Ohio, some ten or fifteen years ago. Mr.
Donnell gave it no countenance. His main argument
against it was, that the creed of Cumberland Presby-
terians was " conservative''' in character, excluding the
extremes or objectionable points of both Calvinism and
Armenianism; that the success of the Gospel in the
world required such a system of doctrine, and in order
to preserve and hand it down to posterity, the identity
of his church must be maintained.
"When the news of the organization of Cumberland
Presbytery reached Mr. Donnell, he was riding and
exhorting in what was then Alabama Territory. In
reference to his feelings when the intelligence arrived,
he says : " If ever I was free from sectarian feeling, it
was at that period. I often thought, ' For what am I
laboring ? I am connected with no constituted church,
and know not that I ever shall be. For what, then, do
I labor, if I cannot build up a church ?' The reply was,
1 For the glory of God, and the salvation of precious
souls.' 'But what will become of the few so strongly
united in the bonds of love ?' This could only be solved
by the Great Head of the Church, and of Him I often
sought an answer ; and am persuaded he did answer,
sometime before the Presbytery was 'constituted. I
had become^quite calm on the subject, under a firm be-
32 LIFE AND LABORS OF
lief that G-od would open a way for us. I was in this
frame of mind when the news came, that Ewing, King
and McAdow had met and organized. 1 felt truly
thankful to God that he had thus opened a door of use-
fulness to a feeble handful, in spite of all the obstacles
that had been thrown in their way."
Four years had now elapsed since Mr. Donnell had
placed himself under the care of the " Council," during
which he had spent most of his time in riding and ex-
horting. The "Council" had not deemed it proper to
license or ordain any to preach, but merely encouraged
those who seemed to be impressed on that subject to
exhort.
It is impossible, at this day, to understand and ap-
preciate the state of suspense that then prevailed. A
faint view of it may be seen in the following extract
of a letter, from the Rev. Finis Ewing to Eev. James
B. Porter, written under date December 6, 1809 :
" I feel determined to go into a constituted state, if I can get
no more than one ordained preacher to join me. You may be
startled at this. So was I when I first looked at the subject.
But on a closer and more impartial examination of my aversion
to such a measure, I was induced to believe that pride and tra-
dition were the most formidable arguments against it. I there-
fore was induced to give up the point, for the following reasons
1st, because the necessities of the church demand it; 2d, be-
cause there is nothing in God's word forbidding it ; 3d, because
no reformed church in Christendom, except the Presbyterian,
requires absolutely, and under all circumstances, the number
of three to ordain one ; 4th, because even that church can de-
part from this rule, one of the members of Synod being in that
REV. ROBERT DONNELL. 3
r>
predicament, J B . Therefore, for so doing, we could not
feel, nor justly be, reproached from any quarter. I think, not-
withstanding, the Presbyterian rule on this subject a good one,
and I would not consent to depart from it only in case of ex-
treme necessity. Whether we will be necessitated to do so, I
cannot yet tell, for I have not yet heard from Messrs. McGee or
McAdow.
" Brother Porter, if you will not think it discourteous, I will
ask you a question, on which I wish you seriously to think :
Whether it would most wound your pride or your conscience
to receive ordination from only two ministers?"*
Messrs. Ewing and King were then ready to act in
the formation of a separate organization ; but neither
McAdow nor McGee had consented to co-operate. The
former subsequently became convinced that it was his
duty to accede to the wishes of Mr. Ewing ; and at his
own house, Cumberland Presbytery was, on the 4th of
February, 1810, constituted. Mr. McGee did not join
till the next fall.
It will be seen that Mr. Ewing, like Dr. "VVhatery,
was not a believer in apostolic succession. The latter
"offered 1,000 to any priest, of any sect upon earth,
who will prove, within twelve links, his personal suc-
cession from the Apostles." In reference to this prop-
osition, Dr. Cummings remarks: " JSTow, since so many
pretend to apostolic succession, it is a pit} 7 that they
should not enrich themselves with such a reward, by
producing their credentials, and showing that they sit
in Peter's chair, and have a legitimate and regularly
* Ewing's Life and Times, p. 190.
5
34 LIFE AND LABORS OP
transmitted succession from him. Speak truth, and
you sit on the right seat. Speak apostolic truth, and
you give invincible evidence of apostolic succession.
But the truth is, we can trace, historically, no such
thing in modern times. It is the purest figment upon
earth,"
Tenacity for precedent has done much harm in the
church. More importance has sometimes been at-
tached to it than to the word of God. Wherever there
is excessive attachment to form and ceremony, there is
danger of laxity in morals. The truth is, no church
on earth is " ceremonially scriptural" All have usages
not found in the Bible. Inflexibility, where vital prin-
ciple is concerned, is commendable; but to dispute
about a mere custom, that may or may not be observed
without sin, is detestable.
Mr. Donnell was licensed to preach, at Big Spring,
Wilson county, Tennessee, in 1811. Harris and Chap-
man were licensed at the same time. His trial ser-
mon was from Eomans v : 1. It is said to have been
quite an ordinary discourse ; so much so that Mr.
Ewing remarked, that " it was a very little sermon for
so large a man" referring to his physical stature.
The truth is, Mr. Donnell had given but little attention
to its composition. He had, while riding his circuit,
been exhorting in all the congregations before preach-
ers and elders, and relied upon extemporaneous efforts
to sustain him before the Presbytery, rather than his
written discourse. No man placed a higher estimate
REV. ROBERT DONNELL. 35
on Mr. Donnell's talents, than Mr. Ewing; and an un-
broken correspondence was kept up between them till
the death of Mr. Ewing indicating a very warm and
mutual attachment. The following letter of Mr. Ewing
will show the confidence. and personal friendship exist-
ing between them :*
"My Beloved Brother Donnell I am pleased with your
very just and profitable reflections on the depression of our
monied interests. Treasure in heaven will always keep us
froin being too much depressed under temporal loss, and too
much elated with temporal prosperity.
"I design, this evening, to send on my resignation as post-
master, to take effect the last of March. I am led to this course
on account of my anticipated removal in the spring. Yes, the
die is cast. If God will, I expect assuredly to start with my
family to Missouri. I trust I will not, in this act, resist or
counteract the will of my Divine Master. Therefore, pray for
me and mine. If God spares us, I hope we may meet at some
Synods. In the meantime, write to me here before I leave, and
then direct your letters to Boonville, Cooper county, Missouri
Territory. For although I may not be postmaster in that coun-
try, I will always gladly pay postage on your letters. I feel
that the greater distance will not decrease, hut rather increase,
my attachment."
This letter is dated February 4, 1820.
* Ewing's Life and Times, p. 264.
36 LIFE AND LABORS OF
CHAPTER III.
FROM HIS ORDINATION TILL THE COMPILATION OF THE CON-
FESSION OF FAITH.
His Ordination Remarkable Economy of Time Physical Labors-
Holds the first Camp-meeting in Alabama Success in Founding
Churches Preaches at Nashville One of the Committee to Com-
pile a Confession of Faith The Synod that adopted it.
Mr. Donnell was ordained in 1812, at the Three-
forks of Duck river. Rev. William McGee preached
the ordination sermon ; and Rev. Thomas Calhoun pre-
sided, and gave the charge. The trial sermon, previous
to the ordination, was from Romans i: 16 " For I am
not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that believeth ; to the Jew
first, and also to the Greek"
To the duties of his sacred office he now devoted his
whole time, except when obliged to labor " with his
own hands," to supply temporal wants. The economi-
cal manner in which he divided his time between the
pulpit and farm, seemed almost incredible. There is
much complaint about the remuneration of preachers
in this day, and perhaps not without cause. But times
were a great deal worse when Mr. Donnell entered the
ministry. The country was new. People were gener-
ally in limited circumstances ; and perhaps then, as now,
REV. ROBERT DON NELL. 37
preferred a free gospel. In a conversation with the
Rev. B. C. Chapman, Mr. Donnell, not long before
his death, alluded to his early labors in the ministry.
They were passing a certain field in Alabama, when he,
pointing to it, said: "I cleared that field, and brought
it under cultivation. It once belonged to me. x When
opening it, I often burned brush half the night, to get
time to preach during the day." He also stated that,
when a young man, he " frequently sat up all night at
camp-meetings, exhorting, praying and singing; and
that at the close of the meeting, his voice was as good
as at the beginning."
Mr. Donnell held the first camp-meeting ever known
in Alabama, and preached the first sermon ever heard
in Huntsville. The camp ground was about one mile
below where that city now stands ; and out of the
fruits of that meeting, the old Canaan congregation
grew. He also held a meeting, at a very early day,
where Mooresville is located. The inhabitants of the
country were then called "squatters." Many professed
religion, and afterward removed to Arkansas, and
formed the nucleus of Cumberland Presbvterianism in
that State. Mr. Donnell was among the first preachers
who labored at Hazelgreen and Fayetteville. He also
preached in the city of Nashville, as early as 1813 ; and
the secular press of that place spoke in very high terms
of him as an orator. Many large and flourishing con-
gregations were planted by him both in Alabama and
Tennessee and are now standing monuments of his
38 LIFE AND LABORS OF
usefulness ; and many of them are worshiping in com-
fortable churches, built through his agency. Nashville,
Huntsville, Memphis, and many other towns, can bear
testimony to the truth of this statement. Wherever
he preached, and judged it at all practicable, his policy
was to urge the building of a house of worship. In the
course of his ministry, he Avas the means of erecting
twelve fine churches, in different parts of the country in
which he labored. The following is something like the
plan which he adopted : After preaching long enough
at a place to secure the attention of the community, he
would agitate the subject of building a house of wor-
ship. So soon as he could get the people to feel the
necessity of it, he appointed a number of citizens to
act as commissioners making it their duty to appoint
a building committee and treasurer. Next, he circu-
lated a subscription paper, to raise funds to build the
house ; making the amounts subscribed payable to the
treasurer, in installments. Every member of the con-
gregation, and person in the community, were called
on for aid, before the paper was sent abroad. When
the amount subscribed was deemed sufficient, a con-
tract was let by the building committee, and orders
were drawn on the treasurer as payments became due.
After many years' experience, he said he found this
plan to be most successful.
Mr. Donnell, though a young man, was appointed on
the committee that compiled the Confession of Faith
of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. The follow-
REV. ROBERT DONNELL. 39
t
ing brief report on that subject, is found among bis
papers, in his own handwriting :
" Agreeably to an order of Synod, appointing a committee to
prepare a Confession of Faith, in accordance with former avowed
principles, we beg leave to report :
"That we all met, except Rev. William McGee; and although
we never expect to form and arrange a creed that will be infal-
lible, yet we think we have complied with the order of Synod.
We have been careful not to depart from former sentiments as
declared from our pulpits. The creed pleases your committee
better than any now extant ; and we beg leave to submit it for
the examination of Synod.
(Signed,) Finis Ewing,
Thomas Calhoun,
Robert Donnell."
Whether the foregoing report was presented to the
Synod, or the first draft of a more extended report that
has not been preserved, there is no means of knowing.
In noting Mr. McGee's absence, it is presumed, refer-
ence is made to the " general meeting of the com-
mittee." It is known that, by special agreement, and
for the sake of convenience in the prosecution of the
work, Messrs. Ewing and Calhoun labored together,
and McGee and Donnell formed the other branch of
the committee. Mr. Calhoun met Mr. Ewing at his
Ewing' s own house. Where McGee and Donnell met,
is not known to the writer. The understanding was,
that the parties should take under consideration such
portions of the Presbyterian Confession of Faith as
were assigned to each ; and then both branches of the
committee meet together, to compare notes, &c.
40 LIFE AND LABORS OF
The following brief sketch of the Synod that acted
on the report of the committee, and adopted the Con-
fession of Faith of the Cumberland Presbyterian
church, is from E. Curry, Esq., who was present on
the occasion :
" The Synod met at Sugg's Creek, Wilsou county, Tenn., on
the 5th of April, 1814. Rev. Samuel King was chosen Moder-
ator ; who, with modest step, advanced to the chair, and with a
solemnity and dignity of countenance peculiar to himself, en-
tered upon the duties of his station. Upon the right, sat Finis
Ewing, with a keen eye, ready to scan everything that came
before the Synod. Near him, sat Hugh Kirkpatrick, with a
heavy brow, prepared to define hard words and sentences. On
his right, sat James B. Porter, with a pleasing countenance, as
though he was delighted that they were about to smite off the
old shackles, and ratify a Confession of Faith congenial with
their feelings. On the left of the Moderator sat Robert Donnell,
writing resolutions to offer to Synod. Behind him, was David
Foster, with a critic's eye to detect error. In this group, sat my
favorite, Thomas Calhoun, who once spoke terror to my heart,
and caused me to cry aloud for mercy. Just in front, sat Alex-
ander Chapman, with a serene look and attentive ear, that he
might be prepared to give a judicious vote. A little back, lay
Samuel Donnell, brother of Robert, in an advanced stage of
consumption, who seemed to be a kind of concordance, to whom
all applied for scriptural proof. Further back in the house,
William McGee was seen tossing to and fro, with deep thoughts
and heavy groans, soon to be vented in a powerful speech. A
little in front, sat William Bumpus, a man of ready wit and
good judgment, and always had language to tell what he knew.
In the corner of the aisle, stood William Barnett, about to de-
liver one of his thundering speeches, which made the walls of
the church reverberate with his loud, shrill voice. Several
REV. ROBERT DONNELL. 41
more of the fathers of the church took part in the deliberations
of that Synod.
" The closing scene was most heart-stirring. The Moderator
poured forth a most powerful prayer, and it seemed that heaven
and earth had come together. The fond recollection of that
meeting is still fresh in my memory, and while I write, tears
drop from my eyes."
This is the only record of the appearance of the mem-
bers of that Synod known to be extant; and although
written in haste for the columns of a newspaper the
" Banner of Peace" it is deemed worthy of an inser-
tion in this Memoir. Generations yet unborn will look
upon even the names of those venerable men with in-
terest.
6
42 LIFE AND LABORS OF
CHAPTER IV.
FROM HIS FIRST MARRIAGE TILL. THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE.
His Marriage Enters into Covenant with God, and records a Solemn
Prayer First Death in the Family His Reflections on the Bereave-
mentIllness and Death of Mrs. Donnell Dedicates himself anew
to the Cause of Christ.
On the 14th of March, 1818, Mr. Donnell was mar-
ried to Miss Ann E. Smith, daughter of Col. James "W.
Smith, of Jackson county, Tenn. She was of highly
respected and pious parents, of the Cumberland Pres-
byterian church, of which she herself was also a mem-
ber. Col. Smith, who had emigrated from North Car-
olina at an early day, was a wealthy and intelligent
farmer ; and no gentleman in the State stood higher in
public estimation for integrity of principle and moral
worth.
The following prayer and covenant will indicate the
state of mind with which Mr. Donnell entered upon
that new and important relation :
" O, Lord ! thou knowest the event that is before me. May I
approach it under a deep sense of the responsibilities it involves,
and may she who is to become my companion for life, prove a
help-mate indeed not only in the new domestic cares before
me, but in the great work of the ministry. Thou knowest that
many and pressing calls from various parts of the country to
go and preach Thy word, are daily reaching me. May the
REV. ROBERT DON NELL. 43
spirit of preaching, heretofore felt, not only abide with me, but
increase. Help me to feed the flock ; take care of the lambs ;
bring back the wandering, and administer discipline in tho
church. May I become more and more useful in the service of
Christ as X advance in years ; and if spared till overtaken by
old age, may the evening of life find me still 'abounding in
the work of the Lord.'
"Should temporal prosperity be allotted me in my new posi-
tion, may humility and a sense of dependence still dwell in my
heart. If in Thine infinite wisdom and goodness, adversity
shall seem best for me, may I not be discouraged, but remem-
ber that all things shall work together for good to those who
love thee.
" And now, O Lord, I consecrate myself, my intended wife, my
talents whether one or five my time, influence, all to thee.
Wilt thou accept the offering? And now 'unto Him who is
able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be the
glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world
without end, Amen V Robert Donnell.
" Ebenezer, March IS, 1818."
Col. Smith gave his daughter considerable property,
which was gratefully received by Mr. Donnell ; but he
remained the same devoted minister of Jesus Christ
that he had been previous to his marriage. Would
that this could be said of all preachers, who obtain
property by their wives ! Too many, when riches in-
crease, " set their hearts on them," and lose the spirit
of preaching.
Mrs. Donnell became the mother of five children,
four of whom died in infancy. The surviving son,
James W. S. Donnell, of Athens, Alabama, is a gentle-
44 LIFE AND LABORS OF
man of wealth,* influence, and much respectability.
Those repeated bereavements in Mr. Donnell's family,
were felt as heavy strokes of Divine Providence upon
a fond parent's heart. The first death in the family
occurred during a visit of Mrs. Donnell to her parents,
and while the husband was attending a camp-meeting
in Alabama. The following reflections were penned
by him, shortly after intelligence of the affliction
reached him :
"On the night nay dear little Mary Ann Sidney Donnell died,
I was one hundred and fifty miles from her, attending a camp-
meeting at Canaan. 1 had heard of her sickness, but the last
intelligence, previous to the news of her death, was that she
was convalescent. On the night my child died, I dreamed of
receiving distressing news from my family, and slept but little.
" Surely, children must be a part of a parent's life, for I feel
that a part of my life or, at least, of my enjoyment was gone.
At first, the news of the death of my own dear child produced
some embarrassment of mind. I am a professed minister of
Jesus Christ, and was trying to promote his cause ; had left my
family in his care, and this was my plea at a throne of grace
1 that I was working for Christ, and on that account could not
be with my afflicted family, like other men.' I trusted that he
would keep what I had committed to him ; but Mary is dead.
I turn, however, to the mourner's book, and there learn that
God is her heavenly Father a relation far above that of an
earthly parent. I loved her dearly, but God loved her still
more ; and as I had to be often from home, laboring in his vine-
yard, He thought it best to take her to her heavenly home. Her
mother loved her as a part of herself. But we had dedicated
her to the church and to God, and He wanted her in the church
above.
* The unfortunate war greatly reduced his property.
REV. ROBERT DONNELL. 45
<<
Mary was born on the 8th of December, 1822, and baptized
on the 3d of July ensuing, at Salem camp-meeting, Limestone
county, Alabama, and taken to the church above on the 23d of
September, 1823.
" Now, my dear wife, Mary cannot come to us, but we can go
to her. Our loss is her gain. While I write these lines, and her
little body lies at rest, and both her parents weeping, her happy
spirit is with Jesus, who died for her, and is looking out for
our arrival. O, Lord ! conduct us and all the family safely to
heaven.
"But oh, my dear wife, as little Mary is gone, yourself and
dear little James feel dearer to me than ever. I desire to see
you, and could I fly with the lightning's speed, would soon be
with you, and mingle my tears with yours. But I am far from
you, and mortal, and can travel but slowly.
" But for my appointments to preach, I would set out imme-
diately to see my dear and afflicted wife. I have, however,
given myself to the Lord, to serve in his vineyard, and am not
at liberty, like men of the world, to leave my Master's work.
Worldly business would not detain me here a moment. But I
must stay and preach the funeral of others, while Mary's must
be put off. My wife must weep alone while I am trying to
comfort other bereaved mothers. But He who has called me
to attend to others, will, I trust, attend to my family himself.
In this I would feel honored. The great Physician sends me
to others, and stays with my family himself. The servant sent
to the family of others, while the Master remains with the ser-
vant's family. Besides all this, He will bestow a rich reward
for my labors, but charge nothing for His.
" But, O Lord, I am but a man. Though I have long since
given myself to Thee, and promised not to murmur at trials,
and though I feel bound to bear all things, and by Thy grace
can bear all things, yet I suffer lest others suffer through my
neglect. When I think of my dear wife, who is dearer to me
than my own life, and not so able as I am to bear affliction, be-
46 LIFE AND LABORS OF
ing distressed by my absence, I am ready to ask, ' who is suf-
ficient for these things?' O, Lord, may I not let the tear of
sympathy fall without distrusting Thy faithfulness.
"Robert Do;nnei/l.
11 Hazelgreen, September 10, 1823."
The foregoing thoughts have been found among Mr.
Donnell's papers, and are probably the substance of a
communication sent his wife, on hearing of the death