If the defendant upon whom process has been served fails to appear and defend in the time required by law, the bill may be taken for confessed; or the complainant may proceed by process of contempt to compel an answer.
Code 1858, § 4360 (deriv. Acts 1801, ch. 6, § 15); Shan., § 6170; Code 1932, § 10441; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 21-301.