Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1866-11-29
REV. ". BUNTTNG.

The Memphis Bulletin has entertained
its readers with pen and ink sketches of the
eminent Presbyterian divines attending the
recent Presbyterian General Assembly in
that city. The following appropriate refer
ence to popular minister Of this city viii
be read with pleasure by many Of our
readers i.aE a.asdat s-1la >aia-5a5
Here is character for you. We knew
him well when vigor and intellect were in
valuable. Mr.. Bunting was then a
Christian, humble and deyout and, as well,
a hero on the battlefield. He crossed the
Mississippi with Terry's Texan Rangers.
Forests men everywhere remember these
dashing, gallant, terrible fellows. In a
fight Mr.. Bunting was fearless soldier
when the battle was done, he was kinder
and gentler than a woman. With tender
touch he closed the eyes Of the fallen,
whether friend or foe, and administered
consolation to the dying. He never grew
weary of doing good. Until the clsngor of
arms announced the coming strife, Mr..
Buntings place was beside the sick and
suffering. The excitement of a bloody
field furnished irresistible attractions. He
had an irrepressible streak of human nature
that made him strip off ghostly restraints
whenever the bugle sounded charge. Ii
was sought to give him an officers place,
even that of Brigadier General, but this
was not condition precedent to his adj
mission into the front rank when an at
tack was ordered. The stars and wreath
were, therefore, declined. He participated
in many conflict, but ever came out as he
entered, devout christian and sympathiz-
ing generous soldier.
Mr.. Bunting was educated at Princeton,
New Jersey, where he was graduated in
1852. He went at once to Texas, as Do
nestle Missionary, under the auspices of
the Board at Philadelphia. He found a
home at Lagrange on the Colorado. There
was wide field of usefulness before him
His moral vineyard was three hundred
miles in circumference, and there was not
church that bloomed and shed its fragrance
within all these wide domains. He planted
everywhere, and they grew apace.
At the expiration of three years, he took
charge of the church at San Antonio. Six
years were spent in that famed old Spanish
American city. To his exertions and tire
less zeal, San Antonio owes the erection of
a tasteful and costly temple. In perfecting
the organization of his church, and extend
ing its influence, Mr.. Bunting was en-
gagged when these States became involved,
like the tabled deity of old, in the delecta-
BILE business of destroying their own chill
dreu
Fired by passions, common to all men,
devoted to his people and State, sympa-
thizing keenly with those about him, re-
solved to pursue his calling where most
good might be effected, Mr.. Bunting left |
the pulpit to become a warrior az well as |
preacher. In both capacities he has given |
hard blows. The devil has felt him in the |
one case, and we suspect that he felt spice !
Of the devil in the other. In the summer
Of 1865 Mr. Bunting was induced to fill, |
for time the pulpit of the First Presby- |
terrain Church at Nashville. The congre- !
CATION deemed il wise to retain him. The |
of this body of christians has
been unprecedented. The First P-esbyte- |
rian is perhaps the most fourishing Of
in Nashville There the General |
Assembly holds Its next session.
Mr.. Bunting is about thirty-fve years Of |
age His health is vigorous, his elasticity |
Of mind and body exhaustless. He thinks |
accurately, but is impelled to defamation
by an internal force that he cannot repress.
His style of oratory is eminently popular. I
There is a fervid fancy and profound |
earnestness which makes him a most popu-
lar pulpit declaimer. He is liberal in his |
views and devoid of preiudices, Before he |
grows old his name win be honored in the |
Church as it was in the Army.
A MAN being asked, as be lay summing |