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

"I had been asked to speak on the providential rise and guidance of the Church of the Nazarene,
which I did, and then gave opportunity for those who felt called to unite together to form a Church
of the Nazarene, to come and stand on and around the platform. A large and anointed company of
people came, and crowded the platform and about it. They came, old and young, with tears of joy,
and shouts of holy triumph, whom I received, on confession of their faith, into the Church of the
Nazarene.
"I think that no such scene has been witnessed since the company stood together in that hall at 317
South Main street, Los Angeles, now nearly nine years ago. Indeed, in many respects, it was much
like it. It did not have the solemn awe of an entirely unknown way, which was upon us then, for the
way has now been at least 'blazed out,' but there was much the same sense of leaving all behind
them-- not careful of the way by which they came out--the same full yielding of themselves to the
divine guidance; the same unyielding faith and holy victory. Strange as it may seem, there was the
same number in the afternoon--eighty-six people on and about the platform, who joined hands for
the work of Jesus Christ. At night the opportunity was again given, and enough united to make it a
full hundred. This was the exact number in Los Angeles at first, and just about, if not the exact
number, for the day. They are an earnest, devoted class of people. A prominent minister who was
present at that service, and who was for t he first time in this meeting, said to me: 'There are on that
platform some of the best holiness people in this city.'
"We believe that this means much for the work of Christian holiness, not only locally, but for the
whole country. A great holiness church in Chicago, on a good, clean basis of loving brotherhood,
to stretch out its hands to help in every way, will mean untellable things. We are praying that this
work may not only repeat the work done by the First church, in Los Angeles, but be as much greater
as Chicago is a greater city, and as it is surrounded by greater cities and towns, and thus open up the
work in its vastness. God calls us to great faith and great expectancy from Him. He doeth the work,
and we are permitted to be 'workers together with Him.' Let the whole church pray for a great
Pentecost upon the church in Chicago.
"Among those who united here were some ministers, of whom were Rev. L. A. Townsend, Rev.
F. G. Bingley, Rev. Herbert Hunt, and Rev. E. A. Burlison."
Blessed Outpourings
In the issue of the Nazarene Messenger of September 15th, Dr. Bresee gives his closing account
of the organization of the church in Chicago. It is as follows:
"I was invited by representative holiness people of Chicago, to hold a meeting there at my earliest
convenience, for the purpose of organizing a Church of the Nazarene in that city. After a careful
examination they believed that the Church of the Nazarene best represented the Pauline-Wesleyan
doctrine in reference to entire sanctification, free from cant and fanaticism, and in its polity the most
simple and effective of anything of which they knew. This, together with the blessings of heaven
which have rested upon it, led them to seek organization with it.