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

comfortable cottage adjoining, for a parsonage. It was our privilege to conduct meetings here for
these four days. The congregations were good; there were a few seekers after God, and a few united
with the church.
"Here also there has been and still is, great prejudice against the work of holiness, because of the
folly, or worse, of those who have had the work in hand. When Brother and Sister Walker began
their work here four months ago, scarce any one would hear them, but they have so won their way
by a reasonable and judicious course, and by their love for all the people, that they have gained their
confidence, and gathered a good congregation. The church membership is still small, but the people
are being gathered, and by fidelity and honest work, ere long, many may be won to Christ."
Dr. Bresee thus describes the Chicago District Assembly:
"We arrived here from Auburn, of this state, on Tuesday evening, July 24,1906, and were very
pleasantly domiciled in the parsonage. On Wednesday morning at 9:30, the District Assembly met,
and continued in session every day until Saturday forenoon and afternoon. The reports were of deep
interest, showing great advance during the last year. Five brethren were recognized as elders, and
five were elected to elders' orders, four of whom were ordained, with very impressive service. Rev.
G. C. Walker was elected District Superintendent. The night services were evangelistic, and about
twenty seekers were at the altar the three nights, and nearly all were blest. Great spiritual power was
manifest, both in the night meetings, and in the sessions of the Assembly itself. The reports showed
that there are many open doors for the work of the Church of the Nazarene. Brother C. W. Ruth was
present, and preached on Wednesday night. Brother Davis, of Warrenville, Ill., preached on Thursday
night. Both sermons were good, an d brought results in souls seeking Christ. Friday night was given
up to a platform service under the guidance of Brother C. E. Cornell. A number of the preachers
spoke and several souls sought the Lord, and great power from the skies swept the altar.
A Weird Baptismal Service
"Arrangements had been made for a baptismal service on Saturday afternoon, at the lake. The
church having no baptistery for persons desiring the ordinance by immersion, the lake is resorted to.
Saturday came with wind and rain. For a time our going was a question, but candidates desired that
there be no postponement, so those who had gathered at the church repaired to the lake, where many
awaited them. Nearly three hundred Nazarenes gathered on the shore. A song was sung, prayer
offered, a brief ritual service held, and the pastor and his helpers began baptizing the twenty-nine
candidates. It was somewhat of a weird scene. The clouds had gathered blacker than before, the
forked lightning was playing in every part of the heavens, the rain was coming down, and nearby was
an upset boat, which had been overturned a few hours before, resulting in the drowning of the
fisherman, whose body had not been recovered. As all mingled, pealing thunder, flashing lightning,
descending rain, the presence of death, the song of the warriors, the vows of eternal devotion to Jesus
Christ, the dashing waves, the gathered multitude, the anxious candidates, the officiating minister,
the shouts of triumph--the scene was one not easily described, and not to be forgotten.