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

We cordially invite you to the opening services of this work next Sabbath, October 6, 1895, at 317
S. Main street, Los Angeles, Cal.
Committee.
Dr. J. P. Widney
There came into the work at this time what seemed a providential agent in the person of Dr. J. P.
Widney, who brought with him a good degree of influence, giving much cheer and hope. I will let
Dr. Bresee himself characterize his old time friend and associate, Dr. Widney: "He was a member
of the Southern California Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a noble, cultured
Christian gentleman. His life had been largely given to his profession as a physician, until some years
previously he had founded and organized a medical college, of which he became dean. He was
afterwards elected to the presidency of the Southern California University, because of which relation,
he had united with the annual Conference. He was a man of ripe scholarship, and earnest Christian
life. He at once entered heartily with me into the work of organization and evangelism. His training
and teaching were such as not to adapt him in all respects to the various features of such a work as
had been undertaken, and after about f our years, he withdrew from the Church of the Nazarene, and
returned to the Methodist Episcopal church, taking up the regular work of the ministry in that
church."
The First Church of the Nazarene
On the third Sabbath of October, 1895, the work of organization heretofore referred to, was
begun. At the morning service eighty-six men and women stood together and plighted to God and
each other their fidelity in the organization and carrying on of the work of the Church of the
Nazarene, with the declared purpose of preaching holiness, and carrying the gospel to the poor. The
numbers were added to, so that during that day one hundred were enrolled, and the list of charter
members being kept open for a few days, the organization was finally consummated with 135 charter
members.
Removal to Another Hall
The songs of praise and shouts of triumph in this hall were distasteful to its irreligious owners,
and before the first month expired, they, with such kindness as was possible indicated that while they
did not desire to put the little company to any inconvenience, they did wish them, as soon as
convenient, to vacate the hall. Another larger and more commodious hall was secured on North Main
street, near the junction of Spring and Main, the first service in which was held on Thanksgiving day,
1895. Here a larger audience could be accommodated, and the place was filled with earnest
worshipers. The First Church of the Nazarene held its meetings in this hall until the early spring of
1896, when, on account of the necessity of remodeling the interior of the building, it became
necessary to seek another meeting place.