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

Joy And Triumph
"One of the marked features here is the joy and triumph of their singing. A band of anointed
singers, conducted by Miss Pearl Stoner, made up mostly of young soldiers, led the people in the
most triumphant service of song that we have heard. It is worth a trip here to hear and join in these
shouts of victory. And yet it seems very difficult, if not impossible, to reach and move the people
to Calvary and the cleansing fountain, in any large numbers. One here and one there-- mostly
handpicked--seems all that it is as yet possible to reach. Here, as in most places, there seems on the
part of professing Christian people, little recognition of the need of holiness, and little conviction
of sin on the part of sinners. They alike listen to the Word, seem in some sense to have an intellectual
appreciation of it, but no deep feeling of the need of salvation. There is such a sad absence all
through the country of the Holy Ghost convincing of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.
"It seems very clear that the general neglect of, or opposition to, His definite work and indwelling
in the human soul, has so grieved the Holy Spirit that there is little awakening. Where holiness, by
the baptism with the Holy Spirit, is definitely preached, there is so much of contempt poured upon
the work by the professed church that people who come and hear, often seem to feel that they are
more than justified in ignoring all appeals, both by the truth and the Spirit, to yield to God. The
holiness work is a hard battle, but it is the Lord's, and He will lead us on. He does not leave us
without fruit, but men are perishing, and we pray for a thousandfold of salvation and life."
Dr. Bresee reached Portland, Oregon, on June 14th, Sister Whitesides meeting him at the depot.
He preached at the all-day meeting of the Holiness Association there, and had the pleasure of
meeting Sister Martha Curry, the well-known holiness evangelist, who prior to this had preached at
the First Church in Los Angeles, and had held a successful meeting at the Church of the Nazarene
in Ontario, California.
Labors In Seattle
Dr. Bresee arrived in Seattle on June 16th, where he was met by Brother and Sister H. D. Brown
and Sister Colburn. While in the city, he held a series of meetings in a tabernacle, which had been
pitched on James street, near the City Hall. He was assisted by Mrs. DeLance Wallace, of Spokane,
and Dr. Kent, of Jacksonville, Ill. The meetings were well attended and lasted ten days. Through
some misunderstanding, the services which began in the tent and continued there for several days,
were concluded in the Battery Street Methodist church, of which Rev. H. D. Brown had formerly
been the pastor. At the afternoon service on the closing Sunday of the meeting, a band of men and
women, who felt called to the work of the Church of the Nazarene, stood around the altar, took each
other by the hands, and looked up to heaven for strength to carry on the work. On Monday evening
the band was organized into a class, and Brother J. R. Amon was appointed leader by Brother
Brown, the District Superintendent, and was heartily approved by the class. Dr. Bresee concludes
his description of the situation of the work in Seattle in the following words:
"We know of nothing since the days of the Reformation and the early days of Methodism in
England, more heroic than the position of this little band, desperate in their loyalty to conviction of
the call of God. God will make them the seed of the kingdom, and though considerably scattered they