Phineas F. Bresee - A Prince In Israel - Media Sabda Org

"One of the excellent effects of this church, is that its existence has a gracious spiritual effect upon
the entire community. A church and a congregation like this, make other churches more tolerant in
their attitude toward full salvation from sin. I think that this feature of the good effect of this church
amounts to more than any one suspects. That we can be provoked to love and good works, there is
no doubt, and you may be certain that this great company of Nazarenes, working with diligence and
joy in this city, has not had a tendency to produce lethargy and stagnation in other churches. It also
stands here as a suggestion to the ecclesiasticisms of the land, that the God of this universe is not
shut up to any one place or people, but that when occasion requires, He can raise up for Himself a
people who will preach, without fear or apology, the full atonement that there is in the Savior's
blood.
"This congregation has recently built a great tabernacle, with ample Sabbath school rooms and
a great auditorium with seating capacity for two thousand people, and great multitudes of people
come to hear the gospel.
"Only last night (May the eighth) with the General Conference in session, and distinguished
preachers filling the pulpits all over the city, this vast auditorium was packed from altar, aisle and
gallery, and many were forward seeking the Lord. Meanwhile, three other small churches of this
same denomination in other parts of the city were crowded with worshipers, and many souls were
saved. Our convention has now been going forward for eight days, and more than one hundred souls
have been to the altar, most of them finding pardon or purity. Dr. Bresee, its pastor, while yet strong,
and full of vigor and activity, has very wisely secured the assistance of Rev. C. V. LaFontaine as
co-pastor. Brother LaFontaine is a fine combination of physical, mental and spiritual strength. He
has served a number of large congregations in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and combines
excellent qualifications of head and heart for the great field in which he has come to work. May the
Lord anoint him from on high for this import ant task.
"Dr. Fowler is preaching with his usual force and clearness, pressing the battle with untiring zeal;
and Brother Bud is preaching the Word with marvelous simplicity and power. He is indeed a miracle
of grace. Think of a man who only a few years ago did not know the alphabet, and now he quotes
verbatim one-sixth of the Bible, Old Testament and New, without looking on the Book.
"The ingenuity and pathos with which he illustrates the sublimest truths with the simplest objects
in every day life, is remarkable, often amusing, but always with effectiveness.
"May the peace and power of the Holy Ghost abide with all those of whom I write. Amen."
An Eastern Trip
In the latter part of July, 1904, Dr. Bresee started for Chicago, Illinois, his first stopping place being
at Howard, Kansas, of which he thus spoke:
"Howard is the county seat of Elk county. This is a beautiful country, the prairie more rolling than
western Kansas, with streams and groves--native timber along the streams, and groves which have
sprung up under the hand of cultivation. The soil is good, and the people seem prosperous.