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

Improved Financial Conditions
During their residence in Des Moines, the church grew and flourished, and Brother and Sister
Bresee were well provided for, lived comfortably and rejoiced in the Lord. In the meantime, the
financial condition of the country had greatly improved. Large amounts of paper currency had been
issued by the government and were in general circulation. The purchase of cavalry horses on a large
scale seemed to be the first noticeable agency in making times better, and shortly after that the
soldiers began to send money home. As a result of these and other things, prices went up and money
was abundant. Although the currency was inflated, it performed all the functions of money, and
times rapidly improved.
In the latter part of the year 1864, and a little preceding the session of the conference, Brother and
Sister Bresee went to New York on a visit, taking with them their two little children. While in New
York, the baby's illness detained them beyond the session of the Annual Conference. Shortly before
this, the General Conference had changed the time of possible pastoral service from two to three
years. Brother Bresee was very much opposed to this change, and for that reason, declined to serve
the third year at Des Moines, although urged to do so by his church.
Appointed Presiding Elder
Upon his return to Iowa, he learned that he had been appointed as Presiding Elder of the Winterset
District, where as soon as possible, he removed with his family and remained for two years. The
district was a very large one, embracing about seven counties, and extending from near Des Moines
to the Missouri river. It was before the days of railroads and telegraphs, and the district spread widely
over the great prairies. There were frequently long distances between the settlements, and Brother
Bresee sometimes had to drive thirty miles between habitations. He traveled with a pair of ponies
and a buggy.
Reading And Study
These trips gave him exceptional opportunities for reading, study and thought, and many times
he would read all day as he drove across the prairies. During those two years, he read the "History
of the United States," by Bancroft; Motley's "United Netherlands," "The Rise of the Dutch
Republic," and many other books. He held great quarterly meetings throughout the district. People
came long distances, staying over Saturday and Sunday, and they had salvation and blessing. Brother
Bresee preached frequently, and did evangelistic work as well, holding meetings for the brethren on
their charges and pushing the battle. His health became impaired under the strain, but he kept at work
just as hard as ever. Whenever he could, he took Mrs. Bresee with him on his long trips over the
district, which took from two to four weeks.
On one of those trips, they went to Lewis, Cass county, where Brother Bresee was helping in a
meeting, and their little girl, Lily, became sick and died. Although the people were mostly strangers,
they were very kind, raising money to help the sorrowing parents, and doing everything possible for
their comfort. One of the sisters of the church accompanied them on the long eighty-mile drive to
Des Moines, where the parents and sister of Brother Bresee resided. Taking with them the body of