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

of the movement, may mean more than a much longer period when things have become more settled
and mature. The work in which we are engaged, and in which we believe we have been
providentially led, for the propagation and establishment of the experience or Christian holiness in
the earth, which has been the confluence of various streams that have sprung up in different parts
of the wilderness of human need, bringing together people of different schools of Christian thought
and theology as well as of various methods of church government and forms of Christian service,
all meeting and mingling in the one great necessity of our being -- holiness unto the Lord -- has
presented a peculiar condition of hope and of possible peril. These years have been a time when we
have been put into the melting-pot together, and the real question seems to have been whether the
holy fire of the glory which Christ has given, would be able to melt us into the sacred unity for which
He prayed, that we might be one, that the world might know His power to have unto the uttermost.
We desire to congratulate you that it now seems that, while there may have been here and there
a little slag, the great body has melted as pure metal into a more and more perfect unity.
Preconceived ideas, notions, and educational colorings have been given up or held in abeyance by
an intense loyalty, that we may be one for the salvation and sanctification of the people. We believe
that which would not coalesce has been, to a large extent, eliminated, and that more and more the
spirit of unity has prevailed. We regard this as the result of the large liberty which we all enjoy, and
the fire of the Holy Spirit which has so blessedly glowed in our midst. In this we congratulate you
and rejoice with you.
We need scarce call your attention to the sacredness of the great and responsible duties which are
upon us in this Assembly. Within providential limitations and restrictions, we are vested with
supreme powers, both to make and interpret laws, and to initiate new, or modify existing, measures
and methods of church economy and work. The greatness of the interests involved must impress us
with the weight of the responsibilities which rest upon us. When this Assembly adjourns, we may
not be able to change the record or remedy mistakes. The wisdom or folly of our acts will either bless
or injure the church which has entrusted us with these great and vital powers. To walk humbly,
carefully, prayerfully, devotedly, and unselfishly before God, behooves every one of us. Our
utterances and deeds may bless the ages, or may retard the kingdom of God. By our words and acts
we shall be justified or condemned. The God of history will write the record. We, your General
Superintendents, feel that you with us will wait in earnest prayer. Let us humble ourselves, and be
sure that there is no selfish way in us; and seek earnestly that there may be given unto us the
illuminating and guiding Spirit, and that He will so fill us with abounding love that we may be
sufficient for the perfect will of God, so that no word or act of ours shall be a hindrance or
stumblingblock in the way of any human soul, to the end that if in anything we should not see eye
to eye, we shall abide heart to heart, to patiently wait and be led by Him in His own way; if it is not
our way, that it may be His way, and He glorify Himself in the unity of our love to God and to each
other, and in our devotion to the work to which He has called us. While each one of us may have
convictions, as well as judgments, as to what is best, and may not be able to see that ours is not the
wiser and better way, yet let us not be too certain, or assume that we are either better or wiser than
the majority of our brethren. Let us remember that humility and regard for the best judgment of
others becomes us, and that it is always a pitiable sight for any one to stand out and oppose, or
forsake the fellowship of his brethren because he is, in his own judgment, better or wiser than they.
God always has a way for each one of us, and holy people are to find His will, and in accord do His