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

What seems to me to be the most beautiful location in or about it for such a purpose has been
purchased for this university. A plat of land of one hundred and thirty-four acres, within a few
minutes ride from the center of the city, lying almost under the shadow of the beautiful Sierra Madre
mountains, on the eastern side of Hill avenue, overlooking the city and valley, said to be one of the
most beautiful valleys in the world; causing Bishop Gilbert Haven, as he looked upon it, to call it
"The Damascus of America," perfectly level only as it slightly slopes toward the south. At the upper
end is a kind of palatial residence, with other buildings, with finely ornamented grounds and great
trees, all facing a beautiful palm avenue. It is where the frosts do not nip the most delicate flowers
or foliage, with a climate all the year most salubrious and healthful; a place that charms every
beholder, and which is universally admitted to be ideal. Though the purchase price was $165,000,
yet it was providentially cheap, and offers largely in advance were almost immediately made for it.
It is expected that about thirty acres will be reserved for a campus, and that the rest will be converted
into residence lots for those who may desire to live near the university.
Here it is expected that the school will be opened next year, such additional buildings as may be
necessary for the housing of the school being erected. It is expected also that a College of Liberal
Arts and other departments will be added, and that comparatively soon the pressing need of a real
university, under the most reverent sacred, and holy influences, will be at hand.
It should be stated in this connection that Brother Fred C. Epperson, the treasurer of the
University, secured an option in his own name for the purchase of this magnificent property, during
the course of his real estate business, and gladly turned it over to the University, without any profit
or compensation, except a moderate commission. For some time Brother Epperson continued to act
as financial agent for the University.
During the remainder of his life, Dr. Bresee devoted much of his prayer, thought, and toil to the
furtherance of the interests of this University.
An Extended Trip
In April, May, and June, 1910, Dr. and Mrs. Bresee made a very extended trip throughout the
central, eastern, and New England States, where he presided over many District Assemblies. If space
permitted, I would rejoice to quote fully from his vivid, sparkling reports of the scenes, incidents,
and victories of this journey, some of which were thrilling in a high degree. I will, however, give his
account of the pilgrimage of himself and his wife to the scenes of their childhood.
These are the words of Dr. Bresee:
Among the Hills
A day was to be spent in central Vermont, and a few days among the hills of New York. A trip
along the rivers--Merrimac, Connecticut, White, Deerfield, Hoosick, and Susquehannah--amid the
mountains and hills, and through the valleys, with here and there beautiful lakes, at this season of
the year, when the buds are just bursting into leaf, with all the variegated hues which the transition
reveals, with fruit trees in full blossom, some as white as snow with green grass everywhere, and