Jabez Bunting (13 May 1779 – 16 June 1858) was an English Wesleyan Methodist leader and the most prominent Methodist after John Wesley's death in 1791. Bunting began as a revivalist but became dedicated to church order and discipline. He was a popular preacher in numerous cities. He held numerous senior positions as administrator and watched budgets closely. Bunting and his allies centralised power by making the conference the final arbiter of Methodism, and giving it the power to reassign preachers and select superintendents. He was particularly zealous in the cause of foreign missions. Politically, he was conservative, as were most Methodist leaders of the time. Early life Born of humble parentage at Manchester in 1779, Bunting was educated at Manchester Grammar School. He had been converted at the age of twelve under the ministry of the Wesleyan Joseph Benson, and, at the age of nineteen, began to preach among the revivalists. He was still a practising revivalist as late as 1802. At Macclesfield, he saw revivals leading to dissension and division, and his views changed fundamentally. From this time onwards Bunting was a exponent of church order and discipline, and an implacable opponent of revivalism. Ministry Bunting was "received into full Connexion" (that is, became an ordained minister) in 1803. He continued to minister for upwards of 57 years in Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool, London and elsewhere. Bunting was a popular preacher and an effective platform speaker; in 1818 he was given the degree of M.A. by the University of Aberdeen, and in 1834 that of D.D. (doctorate) by Wesleyan University of Middletown, Connecticut, United States. He identified as an Evangelical Arminian. Leadership Bunting was able to wield authority by occupying several important offices within the Connexion. Most significantly, he was four times chosen to be president of the Conference (heading the ruling body of the Wesleyan Methodist Connexion) in 1820, 1828, 1836 and 1844. He repeatedly served as secretary of the Legal Hundred (secretary of the conference). He was also secretary to the Wesleyan Missionary Society for eighteen years, having succeeded Richard Watson. In 1835, he was appointed president of the first Wesleyan theological college (at Hoxton), and in this position he succeeded in materially raising the standard of education among Wesleyan ministers. Under his leadership, Methodism ceased to be tied to the established Church of England and became wholly separate. Vickers (2008) states that Bunting was "the