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

That was before the day of evangelism. But the revival took hold of the families, and the leading men
of the town came under its influence. Merchants, lawyers, editors, and contractors, with their
families and employees, were converted, and outcasts and drunkards also gave their hearts to God.
At the close of the meeting not less than three hundred persons had been saved. All classes were
represented. As soon as men of means and influence were converted, they would begin to pray for
the salvation of their employees, and would not rest until it was accomplished. Thus the work went
on in a wonderful way. Dr. Bresee considered that it was the mightiest revival ever held in Western
Iowa. The number of converts was greater than the seating capacity of the church could
accommodate. The revival revolutionized the city, and turned the tide of everything towards
Methodism.
Immediately after the revival, arrangements were commenced for the erection of a new church,
which was not completed until the end of Dr. Bresee's three years' pastorate. It was a large and
expensive church for that country and that time. It cost $25,000, which would be the equivalent of
more than $100,000 now. The members of the church were at first skeptical as to the possibility of
its erection, and a great deal of special work and preaching on the subject was required in order to
arouse the attention and enthusiasm of the public.
These conditions led Dr. Bresee to say that one of the great necessities of carrying on the work
of the Lord, was a large, commodious place of worship, and that people who would not do what they
could to accomplish this purpose, and who refused to work in harmony with those who had it in
hand, would not be received in full connection into the church. He had just taken in a large number
of young converts on probation, according to the Methodist custom. This was made the occasion for
an article in the newspaper at Red Oak, to the effect that they had a new ritual at the Methodist
church; that the first article was, "Do you believe in Bresee?" the second article was, "Do you believe
in the early completion of the new Methodist church?" The third was, "Will you do all in your power
to accomplish that result?" The article went on to state that, if they answered those questions
satisfactorily, Crandall would arise and say that Bresee could write their names in the Book of Life.
During these great revival services, Dr. Bresee preached short sermons. He held meetings at which
they planned the work somewhat, and covenanted together to cooperate in it. During part of this
protracted meeting, if not all of it, it was arranged that after Dr. Bresee had preached, he was to sit
down, whereupon the people would immediately begin to sing one of the old hymns; that he would
then go out into the congregation, and that all of those who had covenanted with him would also go
among the people and reap for the altar. It was understood that they would thus work and get all the
seekers they could and then they would rally at the altar in the old, Methodist fashion, and pray with
and for the penitents until they got through. During this period, Dr. Bresee had very little time for
the preparation of sermons, so that most of his preaching was improvised and of a hortatory
character. The campaign was not systematic or carefully planned. They went on, not knowing how
long to continue, and the work was done measurably by individual labor. Men would be converted,
and then go after their friends, employees, and families, until they would bring them to the altar and
get them saved.
The revival aroused such general attention and interest, that many people could not find room in
the building. They would come long before the hour of service, and crowd around the door. One