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

Phineas F. Bresee
A PRINCE IN ISRAEL
By E. A. Girvin
CHAPTER 31
The Tenth General Assembly -- General Superintendent's Report -- Duties of the
Superintendency -- Greatness of the Assembly -- The Spirit of the Assembly -- Distinctiveness
of Our Movement -- The Tide of Power -- Devotional Exercises -- Pentecost on Thursday
Evening -- The First Sunday -- A Large Offering -- Work of Committees -- Pressure of Work
-- The Missionary Committee -- Educational Interests -- The State of the Church -- A New
Song Book -- Reports of the Churches -- The Nazarene Messenger -- Legislation
The Tenth General Assembly
This great Assembly met in the First Church, in Los Angeles, and its sessions lasted from October
11th to October 18th, 1905. Dr. Bresee presided, and his report of the progress made during the year
just past, was like a bugle call, full of tender love, victorious faith, and a courage unmixed with fear.
General Superintendent's Report
Among other things, Dr. Bresee said, in this great report:
"This year, like the preceding years, has been full of the onslaughts of the enemy; the conflict has
been heavy, and in some places it made the work peculiarly difficult. Indeed, we have demonstrated
still further the fact that this work in which we are engaged is a very difficult task; and that all of the
combined forces of darkness--ever opposed to holiness-- are especially enraged against this
movement, which proposes to fortify and hold the ground won. It is no easy task in these days to
reach men with the gospel of full salvation under any auspices; but, when it is determined to turn
every victory into a center of holy power, and maintain a fire which shall radiate continually its holy
flame, every carnal force is enlisted against the work; none seemingly more earnestly than the formal
and worldly forces, baptized in the name of Christianity. Herod and Pilate make common cause
against Him who baptizes with the Holy Ghost, sanctifying believers, and empowering them for
testimony to the power of the cleansing Blood. Nevertheless, the presence with us of Him who says,
'All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth, go ye therefore, * * * lo, I am with you,' has
given us the victory, and enabled us to move steadily forward.
"A large number of new churches and missions have been organized, largely augmenting the
number over last year, and several able ministers have united with us. The Northwest District has
been organized, to which the Rev. H. D. Brown was appointed District Superintendent, and he has
been vigorously pushing the work in that great and inviting field. A Missionary District has also been
formed, consisting of the Northern part of California, to which the Rev. E. A. Girvin was appointed.
Recently a District, comprising a large area with Chicago as the center, called the Central District,
has been organized, and Rev. I. G. Martin appointed District Superintendent.