Sgt. Richard Kirkland - Angel of Marye's Heights

"How easily church edifices could be built, pastors supported, missionaries sustained, colleges endowed, and every good cause pushed forward, if we had in our Churches today anything like the spirit of these Christian soldiers”

“How often have I seen these brave fellows, after they had won a hardly contested field, despite their almost exhaustion, going over the ground to hunt up and care for the wounded of the enemy – binding up their wounds as best they could, carrying them to the field hospitals, and providing surgical attendance, sharing with them their scant rations, bringing them water, building brush shelters to protect them from the sun, and proving 'good Samaritans' indeed to men whom they had so lately met in the shock of battle."

"I might give scores of illustrations of this point, but must content myself now with the story of Richard Kirkland, 'the humane hero of Fredericksburg,' as it is told by the gallant soldier and able jurist, General J. B. Kershaw, of South Carolina (now Judge Kershaw), who commanded the brigade at the time. I will only premise that Kirkland had professed conversion [to Christianity] but a short time before, and will give the incident in General Kershaw's own words:

“Camden, South Carolina, January 29, 1880. 

To the Editor of the News and Courier: 

Your Columbia correspondent referred to the incident narrated here, telling the story as 'twas told to him, and inviting corrections. As such a deed should be recorded in the rigid simplicity of actual truth, I take the liberty of send you for publication an accurate account of a transaction ever feature of which is indelibly impressed upon my memory.”

Very truly yours,“J.B. Kershaw.”

"Richard Kirkland was the son of John Kirkland, an estimable citizen of Kershaw county, a plain, substantial farmer of the olden time. In 1861he entered, as a private, Captain J.D. Kennedy's Company (E) of the Second South Carolina Volunteers, in which company he was a sergeant in December, 1862."

"The day after the sanguinary battle of Fredrericksburg, Kershaw's Brigade occupied the road at the foot of Marye's hill and the ground above Marye's house, the scene of their desperate defense of the day before. One hundred and fifty yards in front of the road, the stone-facing of which constituted the famous stone wall, lay Syke's Division of Regulars, United States Army, between whom and our troops a murderous skirmish occupied the whole day, fatal to many who heedlessly exposed themselves, even for a moment. The ground between the lines was bridged with the wounded, dead, and dying Federals, victims of the many desperate and gallant assaults of that column of 30,000 brave men hurled vainly against that impregnable position."

"All that day those wounded men rent the air with their groans and agonizing cries of 'Water! Water!' In the afternoon the general sat in the north room, upstairs, of Mrs. Steven's house, in front of the road, surveying the field, when Kirkland came up. With an expression of indignant remonstrance pervading his person, his manner, and the tone of his voice, he said:

“General! I can't stand this.”

“What is the matter sergeant?” asked the general.

He replied: “All night and day I have heard those poor people crying for water, and I can stand it no longer. I come to ask permission to go and give them water.”

The general regarded him for a moment with feelings of profound admiration, and said:

“Kirkland, don't you know that you would get a bullet through your head the moment you stepped over the wall?”

“Yes, sir,” he said, “I know that; but if you will let me, I am willing to try it.”

After a pause the general said: 

“Kirkland, I ought not to allow you to run such a risk, but the sentiment which actuates you is so noble that I will not refuse your request, trusting that God may protect you. You may go.”

The sergeant’s eye lighted up with pleasure. He said, 

“Thank you, sir,”

 and ran rapidly down-stairs. The general heard him pause for a moment, and then return, bounding two steps at a time. He thought the sergeant's heart had failed him. He was mistaken. The sergeant stopped at the door and said:

“General, can I show a white handkerchief ?" 

The general slowly shook his head, saying emphatically, 

“No, Kirkland, you can't do that.”

“All right,” he said, “I'll take my chances,” and ran down with a bright smile on his handsome countenance.

"With profound anxiety he was watched as he stepped over the wall on his errand of mercy – Christ-like mercy. Unharmed he reached the nearest sufferer. He knelt beside him, tenderly raising the drooping head, rested it gently upon his own noble breast, and poured the precious life-giving fluid down the fever scorched throat. This done, he laid him tenderly down, placed his knapsack under his head, straightened out his broken limb, spread his overcoat over him, replaced his empty canteen with a full one, and turned to another sufferer. By this time his purpose was well understood on both sides, and all danger was over. From all parts of the field arose fresh cries of 'water, water; for God's sake, water!” More piteous still the mute appeal of some who could only feebly lift a hand to say there, too, was life and suffering."

"For an hour and a half did this ministering angel pursue his labor of mercy, not ceased to go and return until he relieved all the wounded on that part of the field. He returned to his post wholly unhurt. Who shall say how sweet his rest that winter's night beneath the cold stars!"

"Little remains to be told. Sergeant Kirkland distinguished himself in battle at Gettysburg, and was promoted lieutenant. At Chickamauga he fell on the field of battle, in the hour of victory. He was but a youth when called away, and had never formed those ties from which might have resulted a posterity to enjoy his fame and bless his country; but he has bequeathed to the American youth – yea, to the world – an example which dignifies our common humanity."

Selection from Christ in the Camp or Religion in the Confederate Army by Reverend J. William Jones, D.D. Reverend Jones was the Chaplin in the Army of Northern Virginia.

Chapter XIII “Results of the Work and Proofs of its Genuineness”

This is an inscription upon a monument commemorating the compassionate act of mercy toward the enemy by Sergeant Richard Kirkland.

At the risk of his life this American soldier of sublime compassion brought water to his wounded foes at Fredericksburg. The fighting men on both sides of the line called him “The Angel of Marye's Heights.

Aboard the Mayflower

There were 102 Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower; 37 of those immigrants to America were children. The ship was 106 feet from beak to aftercastle. Her keel was 58 feet and her beam only 25 feet. Sometimes the mast of the Mayflower drifted a foot laterally as the Mayflower rolled in heavy seas while crossing the Atlantic.

 "...one of the main beams in midships was bowed and cracked, which put them in some fear that the ship could not be able to perform the voyage...but in examining of all opinions, the master and others affirmed they knew the ship to be strong and firm under water and for the buckling of the main beam, there was a great iron screw the passengers brought out of Holland which would raise the beam into his place; the which being done, the carpenter and master affirmed that with a post put under it, set firm in the lower deck and otherwise bound he would make it sufficient."

There was a spacious area of the Mayflower on the second deck on which the ship's boat was stored. It was needed in New England to explore the territory and for fishing. The Pilgrims were placed in the aft portion of the ship where they were huddled for 66 days of the voyage. Two babies were born aboard the Mayflower as it traveled on the journey to the New World.


On November 11, 1620 a great event occurred in which 41 Separatists representing one branch of the evangelical Puritans made a covenant with God and each other to establish a colony for His glory.

"In the Name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, by Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and the Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience. In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland, the fifty-fourth,  

Anno Domini 

1620.

The Pilgrims planned to land in Northern Virginia but were blown off course. The Providence of God prevented them from landing in Virginia where they would have never enjoyed the religious liberty for which they came to the New World. The Virginia colony was deeply entrenched in the Church of England. The Pilgrims left England and sojourned in Holland before coming to America because of persecution from the Church of England.


William Bradford described the landing of the Mayflower at Plymouth in December of 1620.

"Being thus arrived in a good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from the perils and miseries thereof, again to set their feet on the firm and stable earth, their proper element...besides what could they see but a hideous and desolate wilderness, full of wild beasts and wild men - and what multitudes there might be of them they knew not. What could now sustain them but the Spirit of God and His grace?"

While in Holland, Pastor John Robinson grounded the Pilgrims in the principles of Scripture for daily living and the founding of a Christian republic. Hence, the first street in Plymouth was named Leyden Street after the Calvinist haven of liberty and refuge in Holland. These men and women charted the course of liberty and representative government which would eventually make America unique among the nations.


The Reformation brought fresh winds of heaven to Western Europe. Luther, Calvin, Bucer, Zwingli, Knox and other Protestants were the instruments through which He brought the refreshing waters of liberty to a thirsty land. The Reformers did not enthrone autonomous man as did the Renaissance scholars. Luther debated Erasmus in 1524 on the issue of free of the will. Augustine's doctrine of the total depravity of man was augmented by Aquinas. Aquinas brought about syncretism by blending the teaching of Aristotle with that of the Bible. Furthermore, the Catholic Church eventually placed the authority of church tradition against and above the authority of the Bible. Aquinas had an incomplete view of the fall of man as recorded in Genesis. Aquinas believed that the will of man was fallen but the reason and intellect were not. 


The Reformers proclaimed that man was totally dependent upon the unmerited grace of God to save him. Whereas the clergy of the Catholic church asserted that man could merit the merits of Christ through good works. Inevitably, the controversey led to a fundamental contest: What is the final authority: the Holy Scriptures of the Bible or the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church.


The Protestants declared the answer was Scripture Sola. while the Catholics asserted final authority rested in tradition, works of the church fathers, papal decrees, the consensus of church councils and the Bible.


To the men of the Reformation: The Bible means what it says and says what it means!


John Calvin developed a systematic theology from the Bible and a pattern for government based on the Holy Scriptures. 


Lorine Boettner declared:

"Calvinism was revolutionary. It taught the natural equality of men, and its essential tendency was to destroy all distinctions of rank and all claims to superiority which rested upon wealth or vested privilege. The liberty-loving souls of the Calvinist has made him a crusader against those artificial distinctions which raise some men above others...Calvin himself held that the Church, under God, was a spiritual republic; and certainly he was a republican in theory. James I was well aware of the effects of Calvinism when he said, 'Presbytery agreeth as well with monarchy as God with the devil.' Bancroft speaks of 'the political character of Calvinism, which with one consent and with instinctive judgment the monarch of that day feared as republicanism.' "...The system not only imbued its converts with the spirit of liberty, but it gave them practical training in the rights and duties as freemen.'"

William Tyndale, burned at the stake for translating the Bible into English was martyred on Belgium. He boldly prayed  as he was being burned: 

"Lord, open the King of England's eyes!"

Henry VIII attempted to divorce his wife for she gave him no male heir to the throne of England. When the Pope refused to grant him a dispensation to divorce Catherine; he broke with papal authority and formed the Church of England. In a political move to secure loyalty of the English people to himself he gave them Tyndale's Bible. 


His son, Edward VI reigned England as a boy from the age of ten till his death at sixteen. Edward VI was a godly, compassionate Puritan king reigning from 1547 till 1553. He was a king who encouraged dissenters who held to a high view of Scripture within the state church. 


Mary Tudor, his Roman Catholic sister became known as "Bloody Mary" for she persecuted the Puritans in the Commisarie Courts of the English Inquisition. The Protestant exiles fleeing from Mary included John Knox of Scotland who fled to Geneva Switzerland. In Geneva, they enjoyed the fellowship and teaching of John Calvin and his close associates at the zenith of Calvin's influence. Knox fled from Bloody Mary upon her ascension to the throne in 1553. He sojourned in Geneva with Calvin until 1559 returning to Scotland to aid the Protestant revolt.


Persecuted Protestants poured into Geneva, Switzerland after expulsion of "Libertines" in 1555. By an act of Divine Providence, Geneva became the greatest center of Christian education in the world. Geneva became a center in which Protestant exiles were grounded in the Scriptural principles of the Bible. John Calvin became ill in 1561 and died three years later but the capital of spiritual blessing from Geneva is a well which still refreshes.


It was John Calvin and his associates in Geneva who personally trained the leaders of the Puritans and Presbyterians. They were not only destined to change Great Britain but laid the basis for the republican form of government in America.


The Geneva Bible was translated and published in 1560 and was the first Bible to divide the books into verses omitting the Apocrypha.


Mary Tudor reigned less than five and a half years and was executed on November 17, 1558. Sunshine burst out upon England when Queen Elizabeth I, Mary's half sister ascended the throne of England.  Those Protestants who had not been martyred by Mary who remained imprisoned were set free by Elizabeth. Furthermore, Elizabeth authorized a new translation of the Scriptures.


William Bradford was born after the defeat of the Spanish Armada during Elizabeth's reign. He was orphaned as a child and raised by his uncles in Austerfield. Although he was not one to have great health; he found comfort and solace in reading the Scriptures. He surrendered his life by humbling himself before Christ receiving Him as his Lord at the age of twelve. Bradford would walk several miles in order to hear the preaching of Puritan men of God. Presbyterian theology of Scotland and the Puritan theology of Great Britain were coming of age in this era.


Richard Hooker, author of "Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity" written in 1593-1594, was a moderate which set the path in which the Church of England would follow. Hooker advocated tolerance and charity among Christians groups. Although Hooker believed the Jesus Christ was God incarnate; he was not one who fully accepted the Protestant doctrine of justification by faith. Nor did he fully accept the doctrines of predestination and other doctrines which departed from the teaching of Medieval  Catholicism.


His opposition would only strengthen biblically oriented Protestantism: Puritianism-Presbyterianism.


After Knox returned to Scotland,  Protestant exiles in Geneva added their voices to that of Knox and the Puritans. The Bible was the sole source of Truth concerning all of life, private and public. Therefore mankind, must be governed by the precepts, principles and ordinances of the Bible. While refuting the rationalism of Richard Hooker, the Protestant exiles cast the die which led to the Puritan emigration to Massachusetts in America.


Scotland exploded into civil war. John Knox took the helm of the revolutionary movement after Protestant reformer George Wishart was strangled and burned to death. John Knox established the Kirk of Scotland on Calvinism centered upon Justification by faith in Christ and the Scriptures as the ultimate authority.


Hence, the Scottish Presbyterians were united by faith with the Dutch Reformed Calvinists, the French Huguenots, the Swiss Calvinists, and the Protestant exiles in Geneva. The faith of the Scots spread to Ulster in Northern Ireland, the middle colonies in America and the frontier west of the colonies.


The National Covenant written by Scottish Presbyterians gave great encouragement to the American Republic. Furthermore, the Scottish Presbyterians place great emphasis upon godliness in education. The National Covenant did not secure religious freedom but did assure the Kirk of Scotland freedom from interference from the king. The Presbyterians heartily agreed with Knox who believed that the purpose of education was to firmly ground the student in the Scriptures.


The major point of difference between Knox and the English Puritans was in the area of church government. Not few Puritans believed that each congregation should be independent and not answerable to a presbytery. Yet the English had to continue to function within the corrupt Anglican Church. Those Puritans who saw themselves as totally independent of the state church were known as 'Separatists.'


In the early 17th Century, young William Bradford was a separatist who fled north to Scrooby. His uncles refused to allow him to worship among the Puritans while living with them. William Brewster was the secretary to England's Secretary of State. Bradford became acquainted with Brewster while in Scrooby. The two men became the nucleus of a group of separatists who worshiped in the manor house Brewster leased. After severing all ties with the Church of England, the group of separatists chose John Robinson as their young pastor. Consequently, since preaching the gospel outside of the Church of England was illegal; the group fled to Amsterdam in 1608. William Bradford was eighteen years old when they fled to Amsterdam.


The group of separatists migrated to Leyden, a rural region of Amsterdam, after a year in the city. In Leyden, the Pilgrims enjoyed the fruit of religious liberty which Calvinism brought to the community. Furthermore, they also enjoyed a functioning republican government Calvin stressed which was essential to secure religious liberty.


It was while the Puritans were in Leyden, they learned of local self government, town meetings, and the principle of voting by casting ballots. Furthermore, it was in Leyden that Robinson taught the Pilgrims from the Scriptures. Between 1617 and 1619, they established an underground press in which they published over twenty titles. Not few of the pamphlets were smuggled into England giving encouragement and guidance to the Puritans.


William Bradford reminisced concerning the era under John Robinson's ministry in Leyden:

"So as they grew in knowledge and other gifts and graces of the Spirit of God, and lived together in peace and love and holiness; and many came unto them from diverse parts of England, so as they grew a great congregation. And if at any time any differences arose, or offenses broke out (as it cannot be, but some time there will, even amongst the best of men) they were ever so met with, and nipped in the head betimes, or otherwise so compose, as still love, peace, and communion was continued; or else the church purged of those that were incurable and incorrigible, when, after much patience used, no other means would serve, which seldom came to pass, Yea such was the mutual love, and reciprocal respect that this worthy man had to his flock, and his flock to him, that it might be said of them as it once was of that famous Marcus Aurelius, and the people of Rome, that it was hard to judge whether he delighted more in having such a people, or they in having such a pastor. His love was great towards them, and his care was always bent for their best good, both soul and body; for besides his singular abilities in divine things (wherein he excelled), he was also very able to give directions in civil affairs, and to foresee dangers and inconveniences; by which means he was very helpful to their outward estates, and so was every way as a common father unto them..."

Although, in 1620, Holland was threatened with war with Spain; there were several reasons which the Pilgrims left Leyden, Amsterdam for the New World.


The hardships which they encountered were of such severity; they could not accommodate other dissenters who were attracted to their venture.


The number of their body able to emigrate to the wilderness of the New World was lessened due to ill health and premature aging.


Their children had to work at hard labor with the adult parent from economic necessity. Hence, some of their children suffered badly on this account.


Some of the children went astray. Consequently, parents blamed the permissive culture in which they lived.


The Pilgrims had a genuine desire to fulfill Christ's Great Commission to take the gospel to the world. Hence, they believed that God was preparing them for this bold missionary adventure.


The Separatist community in Leyden sent William Brewster to England to inquire of the London Company that they might fund their emigration to the American colony in Virginia. Sir Edwin Sandys, treasurer of the London Company, encouraged his friends and associates to invest the venture. In February of 1620, a meeting took place in the home of Sir Edwin Sandys. A company of 70 merchants were granted a patent to finance the settlement of separatists in the New World. 


Southampton was the city from which the Pilgrims set sail in early September of 1620. Before leaving Leyden, they humbly fasted and fervently prayed together. In a final sermon to his flock, John Robinson preached a message from the text of Ezra 8:21

"And there at the river, by Ahava, I proclaimed a fast, that we might humble ourselves before our God, and seek of Him a right way for us, and for our children, and for all our substance."

Pastor John Robinson presented a letter addressed to the whole company as they parted.

"Loving Christian friends, I do heartily and in the Lord salute you all, as being they with whom I am present in my best affection, and most earnest longings after you, though I be constrained for a while to be bodily absent from you...I thought it but my duty to add some further spur of provocation unto them, who run already, if not because you need it, yet because I owe it in love and duty. And first, as we are daily to renew our repentance with our God, especially for our sins known, and generally for our unknown trespasses, so doth the Lord call us in a singular manner upon occasions of such difficulty and danger as lieth upon you, to a both more narrow search and carefully reformation of your ways in His sight; lest He, calling to remembrance our sins forgotten by us or unrepented of , take advantage against us, and in judgment leave us for the same to be swallowed by earnest repentance and the pardon thereof from the Lord sealed up unto a man's conscience by His Spirit, great shall be his security and peace in all dangers, sweet his comforts in all distresses, with happy deliverance from all evil, whether in life or in death."

"Now next after this heavenly peace with God and our own consciences, we are carefully to provide for peace with all men what in us lieth, especially with our associates, and for that watchfulness must be had, that we neither at all in ourselves do give, no nor easily take offense being given by other..."

"Lastly, whereas you are become a body politik, using amongst yourselves civil government, and are nor furnished with any persons of special eminence above the rest, to be chosen by you into office of government, let your wisdom and godliness appear, not only in choosing such persons as do entirely love and will promote the common good, but also in yielding unto them all due honor and obedience in their lawful administrations not beholding in them the ordinariness of their persons, but God's ordinance for your good..." 

"These few things therefore, and the same in few words, I do earnestly commend unto your care and conscience, joining therewith my daily incessant prayers unto the Lord, that He who hath made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all rivers of waters, and whose providence is over all His works, especially over all His dear children for good, would so guide and guard you in your ways, as inwardly by His Spirit, so outwardly by the hand of His  power, as that both you and we also, for and with you, may have after matter of praising His name all the days of your and our lives. Fare you will in Him in whom you trust, and in whom I rest."

The Pilgrims were charged to keep and maintain a right vertical relationship with God and a charitable relationship with each other. They left for the New World to create a 'body politik' which guaranteed freedom and personal responsibility to preserve the harmony of the community.  


They were challenged to establish self government under God. 


After settling in Plymouth in December of 1620, Bradford wrote: 

“...in two or three months' time half of their company died, especially in January and February, being the depth of winter, and wanting houses and other comforts; being infected with the scurvy and other diseases...”

Despite the terrible first winter, none of the surviving members of the venture returned to England on the Mayflower in the spring. Their first governor John Carver died after only a few months in the Plymouth colony. William Bradford, who was thirty years of age, became the new governor whom they elected from among themselves. William Bradford was the governor of the Plymouth colony for the remaining thirty years of his life. Throughout the earliest years of the colony, he governed the colony with God's wisdom having one assistant only. Five councilmen who were elected in 1624 to assist him. As governor, Bradford was given a double vote in matters brought before the council. Eventually the number of councilmen was raised to seven members. 


Immigrant Pilgrims came unprepared without provisions for the first two years of the fledgling colony.


The investors of the London Company failed to send promised provisions and supplies. Hence, the Separatists had to provide food and shelter for themselves and the newly arrived immigrants. Governor Bradford chose to cut the daily ration of food per person in order feed everyone. The daily ration of food which each person received was less than half the amount formerly received. The soil of Massachusetts did not sustain the seedlings of wheat and grains brought with them from England. In the providence of God, He graciously sent the Indian Squanto and friendly Indians to assist the Pilgrims. Had he not shown them the manner in which to plant American corn; there would have been no Autumn harvest in 1621.


The London Company inserted a utopian scheme into the contract to which the Pilgrims agreed. They envisioned a communal society where all of the colonists would contribute to a central source from which each would be supplied. Unfortunately, single young man worked for all non-producing family members yet did not receive assistance such as sewing and darning.


Nobody owned their own property which inhibited one's motivation to provide for themselves and their families. Hence, they did not enjoy the emotional rewarding pleasure of seeing the fruit of the own hard work and labor.


The manner in which Governor Bradford handled the situation was stated by historian Eggleston:

“After two years of labor in common had brought the colony more than once to the verge of ruin, Bradford had the courage and wisdom to cut the knot he could not untie. During the scarce springtime of 1623, he assigned all the detached persons in the colony to live with families, and then temporarily divided the ancient Indian field on which the settlement had been made among the several families in proportion to their number, leaving every household to shift for itself or suffer want. 'Any general want or suffering hath not been among them since to this day, ' he wrote years afterward. The assignment was a revolutionary stroke, in violation of the contract with the shareholders, and contrary to their wishes. But Bradford saw that it was a life-and-death necessity to be rid of the pernicious system, even at the cost of cutting off all support from England. In his history he draws a very clear picture of the evils of communism as he had observed them.”

The early system of Plymouth involving government control of the means of production and sharing from a common source proved disastrous. The system bread indolence and laziness among able-bodied who became unwilling to work. Furthermore, hopelessness and diminished incentive were the consequences of hard working settlers who provided for themselves and those persons who did not work. 


The Pilgrim Separatists experienced the loss of over half their number the first winter. They often experienced conditions of famine and disease throughout the early years of the venture. Shipping agents misrepresented the condition of the colonists to the merchant sponsors who did not send the necessary supplies to sustain the colony. The population of colonists continued to increase although the new immigrants did not have the necessary provisions and supplies to sustain them. 


None of the Separatist Pilgrims chose to return to England! They came to the American continent to serve the Living God, trusting in Him alone and not fallible men. They firmly believed that they were as ancient Israel who had been called for God's purposes. They came in the service of the Living God revering his holy Word, preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. They laid the foundation of a nation where the Scriptures would be taught to their children and generations of believers who followed them.




Condensed and edited from Pat Brooks' The Return of the Puritans.

Danniebelle Hall - Ordinary Woman

"Ordinary People"

Danniebelle Hall

Just ordinary people 

God uses ordinary people 

He chooses people just like me and you 

Who are willing to do as He commands 

God uses people that will give Him all 

No matter how small your all may seem to you 

Because little becomes much as you place it in the Master's hand

Just ordinary people (ordinary people) 

My God uses (plain old) ordinary people (oh yes He does) 

He chooses people just like me and you 

Who are willing, willing to do everything that He commands (oh, yes) 

God uses people that will give Him all 

No matter how small your all might seem to you 

Because little becomes much as you place it in the Master's hand

Just like that little lad 

Who gave Jesus all he had 

How the multitude was fed 

With the fish and the loaves of bread 

What you have may not seem much 

But when you yield it to the touch 

Of the Master's loving hand, yes,

Then you'll understand How your life could never be the same

Just ordinary people My God uses (plain old) ordinary people (yes) 

He chooses people just like me and you 

Who are willing to do everything that He commands 

God uses people that will give Him all 

It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter how small your all may seem to you 

Because little becomes much as you place it in the Master's hand 

(All you've got to do is give your everything to Jesus, yeah-hey) 

Little becomes much as you place it in the Master's hand

Danniebelle Hall learned to play the piano at the age of three. She confessed her faith and belief in Jesus Christ at an early age. Danniebelle was an award-winning international Gospel recording artist and composer who has been called by her Lord Jesus Christ for her grand performance in His presence and in His honor.


Danniebelle played the piano in her hometown church of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania where she was born.  She attended Pittsburg public schools and Mount Mercy College - liberal arts.


She was the fourth of eight children born to William Butler Jones and Danniebelle Jones. Danniebelle had a passionate desire to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ by utilizing her talents. Her two younger sisters joined Danniebelle to become a trio - The Jones Sisters.


Danniebelle moved to San Francisco, California when she was seventeen and became acquainted with Charles E. Hall whom she married in 1958. Charles and Danniebelle had three children: Charlotte, Charles, and Cynthia. Charles and Danniebelle were members of the Lighthouse Full Gospel Church. He served as a deacon while Danniebelle served as choir director. It was her husband who encouraged Danniebelle to follow her dream of a global music ministry.


In San Francisco, she formed a gospel quartet in 1969 which she called: "The Danniebelles." They sang to units of the United States armed forces during the Vietnam War.


Traveling on tour overseas promoted the growth and popularity of "The Danniebelles" beyond their expectations. The Danniebelles toured with World Vision International ministering to thousands of people in Zamboanga, Mindanao, Philippines, and Phnom Penj, Cambodia. While on tour The Dannibelles recorded an album of their music.


A few years later, Danniebelle eventually joined her favorite Gospel group, Andraé Crouch and the Disciples. "Soon and Very Soon," "Take Me Back," "Tell Them," and "Quiet Times" were gospel recordings in which Danniebelle was featured. 


A personal side note: I attended a Christian festival known as "Jesus '75" in which I had the pleasure of hearing Danniebelle perform with Andraé Crouch and the Disciples. It was the first time in which I heard Andre and the Disciples and could clearly hear Danniebelle. The gracious tenderness of her voice anointed with the Holy Spirit touched my heart leaving a lasting impression. I eventually purchased the album "Take Me Back" which is a wonderful classic Gospel album I treasure.


For the next two and a half decades; Danniebelle recorded and sang on several solo albums. She traveled world wide. "Danniebelle Live in Sweden" (Sparrow, 1977) is one of my favorite albums which she recorded in Sweden.


Danniebelle used her own personal trials to minister to others as she spread the love of Jesus Christ to people with whom she became acquainted. Danniebelle composed and arranged her music while finding great fulfillment in writing lyrics that touches needy hearts hungry for the love of God. Danniebelle was greatly admired for setting biblical passages to music. She was one who encouraged and inspired new and younger artists to fulfill their aspirations to serve Jesus Jesus through their music.


Danniebelle has been admired by others for having set to music various passages of the Bible. Among the notable artists for whom Danniebelle penned songs were Eartha Kitt, Pat Boone, and James Cleveland.


Danniebelle Hall dedicated her life to win the lost to Jesus Christ through her music ministry. She had a special gift - an anointing from God to touch the hearts of wounded and lost through her music and ministry. Danniebelle has a delightful warm personality, a 'down to earth' personality that made people feel comfortable, welcome, and loved in her presence. That wonderful touch of gentle kindness and encouragement was experienced through listening to her recording.


Danniebelle took the time from a busy schedule of touring to honor Christal Roberts' home with her presence on April 9, 1976. She visited Christal during a twenty-four hour time span before traveling overseas to minister. Christal was celebrating her 15th birthday when Danniebelle visited her. The memory of this special day of celebration brought joy and would become an unforgettable experience. Danniebelle brought a copy of her most recent album "This Moment" which she graciously autographed for Christal. For forty-five minutes, Danniebelle blessed Christal's family and friends with a concert in the family livingroom.


This gracious act of kindness by Danniebelle would forever change Christal's life. Christal patiently waited on God to bring the two of them together again.


Twenty-two years would pass before God gave his approval and smiled upon Christal during the sunset season of Danniebelle's life. They spent several days together in which the two daughters of Christ laughed, prayed together and encouraged each other. 


They were seperated when Danniebelle received her personal invitation to perform before her Savior and Lord on December of 2000. Christal continues to keep Danniebelle's memory fresh and alive by sharing her testimony of God's gracious love and favor. Christal has traveled across the United States and Europe has her mentor Danniebelle had done before her bringing the Good News of Jesus through her music. Christal Roberts is an psalmist anointed by God. She is a talented musician, music arranger, and songwriter of the living God. Her love of music began in her childhood and she started to sing at the age of two.


The title track "Thank You" from her CD of the same title has great significance for the listener will recognize the smooth distinctive voice of Danniebelle Hall. Danniebelle was a wonderful friend who encouraged Christal; this song would be her last recording before she was called home to perform before Jesus.


She played piano beautifully and sang with gentle gracious comforting words of encouragement. Danniebelle's intimate style of singing and songwriting has been compared to Robera Flack. It was not unusual for Danniebelle to simply serenade the Father and create a worshipful atmosphere while performing. 


Danniebelle traveled to Nigeria in the mid eighties. Upon returning, she lived in Monroeville, PA and served as Ministress of Music at The Lords Church which was pastored by Pastor Archie Dennis. When her tenure ended at The Lords Church, Danniebelle chose to return to the Northern California Bay Area. It was there where she awaited her next assignment from the Lord.


That assignment came through Pastor John Cherry where she ministered at his church in Temple Hills, Maryland. While she served at Pastor Cherry's church. 


Danniebelle ministered in various churchs performing at various concerts throughout the United States and overseas. Danniebelle wrote "O Se' Bab" (pronounced "Oh Shay") and several other songs which she recorded on two albums: "Designer's Original" and "The Best Gets Better."


Danniebelle wrote: 

"Little did I know that my faith would be tested to the max. There was something about that declaration of faith in God made in the song "Aint No Devil in Hell Gonna Walk on the Jesus in Me" that was really going to be put to the test."

Danniebelle experienced her biggest personal battle in 1995. In June of 1995, Danniebelle was with E.K. Bailey, a good friend, while at the Concord Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. Danniebelle experienced her first seizure in Dallas. Doctors informed her that her kidneys were failing. She had been an insulin dependent diabetic for a number of years and was being treated for hypertension. Before long she would need kidney dialysis. Furthermore, Danniebelle had a mammogram which resulted in a mastectomy.


There were other operations, an appendectomy, and the insertion of a pace maker. Danniebelle's left leg was amputated due to gangrene sore which appeared on her left heal. There were multiple hospitalizations due to gastroporesis and diabetic neuropathy of her right hand and leg.


When Danniebelle couldn't take care of herself, everyone in her family worked hard to care for her and meet her needs. Danniebelle recounts that she didn't have just one doctor but numerous doctors: Nephrologist (kidney), Vascular Surgeon (circulation), Oncologist (breast cancer), Opthalmologist (eyes), and Gastroenterologist (stomach).


Eventually her left leg was amputated below the knee. Danniebelle experienced a host of other health related issues but her faith in her beloved Jesus increased each day. 


In 1996, doctors said that Danniebelle had six to nine months to live. But God wasn't ready to bring her home. Through her suffering, Danniebelle could minister to others who experienced health problems and introducing those who did not know her savior to the gracious kindness of Jesus Christ.


She began a website Danniebelle.com as a meeting place where friends and fans could encouraging words of faith from Danniebelle. She would post updates which detailed her personal battle with diabetes and share with her fans an enormous sense of determination and faith in her God. Friends, and fans would post messages of encouragement to Danniebelle while holding her up in prayer.


Danniebelle's letter are very inspirational for her faith in her Lord Jesus remained strong till the end of her sojourn on earth "and the beginning of her everlasting life."

Danniebelle declared: "God has delivered me so far from those days." 

She was residing in an assisted living facility and became the resident chaplin. Danniebelle was the youngest resident at the facility and conducted weekly Bible studies. She would hold memorial services and visit other residents giving encouraging words to the people who came into her life whom she treasured.


Danniebelle declared: 

"Basically, my mission is to help prepare the residents for their next big move."

Danniebelle regained a measure of health and was able to do many daily tasks in which she once needed assistance. A motorized wheelchair enabled her a new level of independence.


Danniebelle expressed her appreciation to South Bay Community Church which was her church and to her pastor Dr. Stanley Long. She expressed her thanks to those friends who visited Danniebelle.com

"Thanks to God for your prayers and his grace and mercy. I know that I am going to make it....Aint No Devil in Hell Gonna Walk on the JESUS in me!!!!"

Her brother, and husband Charles preceded her in death. Danniebelle left two daughters and a son, three sisters, three brothers, two sons-in-law, and eight grandchildren who cherish her memory. They delight in continuing Danniebelle's legacy by making her recordings available to old and new friends who become acquainted with Danniebelle and her music.

"We all had the privilege to take a seat and listen; we would then be ushered into His Spirit bny this great woman of God."

Danniebelle Hall "entered the gates of heaven complete with both legs, whole and anew" on December 28, 2000. When Danniebelle passed on peacefully; she left the world a wonderful legacy. Although her presence on earth is missed; her legacy and music lives on in all of us who treasure this beloved woman of God.




Here are Danniebelle's solo albums 


Danniebelle (Light, 1974)
He Is King (Light, 1974)
This Moment (Light, 1975)
Let Me Have a Dream (Sparrow, 1976)
Danniebelle Live in Sweden (Sparrow, 1977)
Unmistakably Danniebelle (Onyx, 1978)
Song of the Angels (Onyx, 1983)
Designers Original (CGI, 1994)
The Best Gets Better (CGI, 1995)
Remembering the Times (EMI, 2001)

Let Me Have a Dream - Danniebelle Hall

LIFE BEGINS WITH JESUS
Words & Music by Danniebelle Hall


Life really begins when you give your heart to your Creator
And He puts His love deeps within your soul
He gives you the power to see your friends and enemies as people who need His love
And to see yourself as a vessel through which His love can flow
Oh, you’re a vessel through which His love can flow
Life really begins the very moment you accept Him
He gives you the courage to face reality
He gives you the power to change the things you know you've got to change
And He gives you the grace to accept the things that have to be
Oh, you'll accept the things that have to be
Life full of meaning
Life abundant and free (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Life that opens up the door to all eternity
Yeah, life really begins with Jesus
Oh, life full of meaning
Life abundant and free (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Life that opens up the door to all eternity
Yeah, life really begins with Jesus





IN HIS PRESENCE (Psalm 16:11)
Danniebelle Hall


As I kneel before Your throne, dear Father
I come boldly in the name of Your Son
Giving You the praise and the glory
For all the mighty things that You have done
Oh, how I welcome every moment
Oh, how I treasure every hour
That we spend together in Your presence (oooo, yes)
As I learn of Your sweet love and holy power
No great gift have I to offer
Because everything I have You gave to me
The praises of my mouth and the worship from my heart
That's the best I have, my best I give to Thee
Oh, how I welcome every moment
Oh, how I treasure every hour
That we spend together in Your presence (oooo, yes)
As I learn of Your sweet love and holy power
How love to be in Your presence, dear Lord (oooo)


You are most cordially invited to visit Danniebelle's website:


Danniebelle.com