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

victory. There is much reason to expect that in this place there will be a center of spiritual power,
which will fill this great valley with the light of heaven."
In speaking of his visit to Portland, Dr. Bresee, among other things, says:
Meetings In Portland
"Our party arrived at Portland on Friday morning, June 29,1906. We were met at the depot by
Mrs. Whitesides, who has been for some time the very devoted friend of the opening up of the work
of the Church of the Nazarene in this city, and for which she has suffered some persecution. Rev.
H. D. Brown and wife, of Seattle, arrived about the same time. After rejoicing together, we were all
taken to the home of Sister Whitesides, where we enjoyed real hospitality. Brother and Sister Brown
were afterward claimed by Brother and Sister Baldwin.
"A few hungry souls here have especially desired the opening of a center of holy fire in this city;
and to this end have turned their eyes toward the Church of the Nazarene. A few of our people are
scattered over this country, one here and there. It is one of the strange things, how widely scattered
are those whose hearts have been 'strangely warmed' at the altars of the old church at Los Angeles.
"A very good and commodious church building, which had been vacated by its congregation, had
been hired and fixed up for these meetings. Among those present from a distance to help, were
Brother and Sister Brown, and Brother Hubbard, of Seattle, and Brother Raymond and Brother
McKee, of Los Angeles. Brother Hubbard is an enthusiastic and efficient leader of song. Friday was
a cool, rainy day; overcoats were in demand. Saturday broke clear and warm. To the surprise of all,
a tide of heat swept in upon us with great vehemence, which lasted for four days. The heat was
almost unendurable. One day was the hottest, with possibly one exception, in thirty-four years. It was
so excessive that it was almost impossible to hold meetings day or night. Still, some souls came to
wait and pray and hear the Word of life. An all-day meeting had been announced for the 4th of July.
On the evening of the 3d, prayer was offered that the heat might be assuaged, and cool air sent, so
that it might be possible to hold the meetings as announced. The morning came with a fresh breeze
and much reduced temperature. All day the little company waited, surrounded by the cracking and
booming of fire-crackers, and bombs, which at times made the continuance of the services almost
impossible, but which the people surrounding declared were less a nuisance than the songs of
worship which we sang. In fact, they seemed to encourage the hoodlums to fire them in front of the
church for the purpose of annoying us. In this respect, the people residing in the vicinity of this
church seemed to me to be the worst that I have met in any city, and I also felt that the police seemed
to care the least as to the protection of the city's better class of people. All this shows the need of the
gospel.
"At the afternoon service a goodly, enthusiastic company stood together to pledge their troth to
God and to each other, that they would stand together as Nazarenes, lift the banner of holiness, and
push the work in an organized way. At night a few more stood with them, and a church was
organized with about forty members--earnest, devout, capable men and women, who can be relied
upon to push the battle. Some who had been favorable to the work, and who seemingly desired a new
opportunity, failed in the crucial hour, as is often the case, but others were raised up to take their