BUNTINE, John Symington, Rev. (1864-1916)
Assembly memorial minute 1917
The sudden death of the Rev. John S. Buntine came as a great shock to all his friends. He had been inducted into the charge of St. George’s, Collingwood, on August 14th, 1916, but almost immediately took ill, and passed away on December 10th, 1916, at the age of 52.
He was a native of Heyfield, and served the Church first as a Home Missionary, but soon completed his Theological training, and was ordained at Footscray in 1897. He spent three years there, then went to Chalmers’ Church, Hobart for four years, and then to Port Melbourne for seven years. Two years more were spent at Subiaco, in W. A., before he came to Collingwood.
He was a man of great energy of both body and mind, which showed itself in his vigorous preaching, and in the active life he led in his Church work. He had a keen sympathy with the common man, and with no uncertain voice denounced the evils that burdened the lives of the poor. Full of sympathy with the masses, he was an ardent supporter of every form of Home Mission work. He took his place among those who carried on luncheon hour services in factories, and prepared a scheme for clubs for working men, and in every possible way strove to advance the Church’s work.
His removal from Collingwood, a sphere specially suited to his gifts, when in the full vigour of his powers, to a higher place, calls us to remember that the work is God’s, and that He can carry it on without the men whom we think indispensable.
To the widow and family the Assembly conveys its heartfelt sympathy, assures them of its prayers, and reminds them that they are not forgotten by Him whose love embraces those who are gone and those who remain.
Gender
- Male