Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1898-02-12
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1928.
Entered at the Postoflice st Accomac
G. H., Va, as second,class matter.
BENJAMIN It. GUNTER.

hENS Z WIN y EA.
The following notice of Judge Gun
ter appears in the Religious Herald
of the 10th, the leading Baptist
journal of the South:
For some months the countless
friends of this excellent and distin-
guished man have been anxious
about the condition of his health.
Latterly, though, there WAS reason to
hope that the crisis was past and
that he was well on the road to COM
plete and early recovery. In al
issue of the Herald a few weeks back,
we published cheerful note to that
effect The news of his death in
Baltimore, on the 9Th of February,
comes, therefore, as a grievous sur
prise to us. He had been in Balti-
more at the Maryland University
Hospital some time under medical
treatment; but all that human skill
and devotion could do did not avail,
and the strong man fell at last.
Judge Gunter was a man of ster-
ling honesty, transparent sincerity,
and inflexible courage. He was
stalwart in his opinions, and main
tanned them stoutly, without fear or
favor; but he carried no malice in his
heart, and was utterly incapable of
meannesS.
No adequate estimate of him can
be attempted in the few moments
that are at our disposal before we go
to press. That must come later on.
Virginia has lost one OF her most
distinguished and devoted sons, the
judiciary of the State one of the
fairest, wisest, and most experienced
of it's members, and Baptist enter
prises one of their truest and most
valuable supporters. So far as the
editors of the Herald are concerned.
the death of Judge Gunter is per-
sonal bereavement. The paper never
had better friend, and we claim a
place among those who feel a just
pride in his long, useful, and honor
able career, and deeply grieve over
his departure.
The following tribute is from his
pastor, j. Manning Dunaway:
Judge Gunter is dead" These
words were flashed over the wires
last Sunday night and during the
day Monday. On Tuesday hundreds
assembled at his late residence to
pay their tribute of respect at his
grave. Great strong men bent over
his lifeless form and wept like child
rem because they had lost a friend. >
There are some things in his life
which have not been brought out
and could not be brought out while
he lived He has been spoken of as
Judge, lawyer, soldier, and of his
adherence to the principles of democ.
racy. But high above all these let US
not forget the man as a christian
No one questions his faithfulness as
q judge. He was faithful and con
scientious lawyer, true southerner
and therefore trusted soldier; and
at all times and in all places an honor
to his party. But the one thing that
made him great was his faith in God
AS Judge, lawyer, soldier, leader, be
ever magnified his position, but high
above all these he ever magnified his
christian profession. And to day the
one thing above all others that cheers
and comforts those near and dear tC
him was his faith in God. He was as
humble and trustful as child in his
christian faith. With him christ
iapity was always first. He made
everything obedient to his church
relations.
He had faith in God. The
promises of God he believed anG
lived by, and realized that Christ
and man we're co-workers in bringing
this world in subsection to the feet Of
Christ. There are men and womer
in his church to day who were
brought to Christ through him. A
young man now in the ministry was
led to Christ by the personal influence
and kind words of this noble man Of
God.
he had faith in men. He
trusted his brethren until he
found them unworthy of trust
There are men living today who
were about to go down under finan
cial burdens. They were business
men. and only needed financial ale
for the time and would make things
60. They would state their case
and frequently their word was al
Deacon Gunter required. He would
give kind words and good cheer, anC
his great sympathetic heart would
beat in real love and keenest sympa
thy for them, and financial help was
given. Whenever he saw man
who was honestly trying to succeed
he had faith it him and was ever
ready to assist him. In his great
body there was ever beating heart
OF flesh.
He was exceedingly liberal. A
few weeks before his death one
of the Accomac pastors visited him,
and when he was leaving, Deacon
Gunter placed In his hands twenty
FIVE dollars to help him in his church
building enterprise. During his life
he gave thousands of dollars to the
cause of Christ. His gifts were not
confined to his church or denomina-
ton, but to all churches. But for
his faith in God and in His cause he
would never have done this.
His Sunday School was his chief.
est Joy and greatest pride. His
prayers in opening his school were
short and pointed. He would plead
with his Father in behalf of his
school with the simplicity OF a child
Dl6dQlOS llS cause UelOIS llo lSciCuei
For years the influence of those
prayers will be felt. a full generation
will have to pass away before his
pleadings for the careless will be for
gotten.
His church and school he carried
on his heart. Some Saturdays at si2
o'clock he would be hundred miles
from home. He had spent a busy
week on the bench, but at night he
would turn his face towards home
and at ten o'clock Sunday morning
he would be found at his post to oper
his Sunday school. And at this posi-
he was ever happy. Thank God fo1
such a man and such life.
His church as well as the Baptisti
ON the Eastern Shore looked to hin
as leader and as father. Who viii
take his place? God only knows.
The Richmond Times says: