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

In the following April, he made a trip to Oakland, and organized the Church of the Nazarene
there, of which Brother W. E. Shepard became pastor. During the year 1897, Dr. Widney made two
trips to the northern part of California, and conducted meetings in Oakland and Berkeley. Dr. Bresee
had arranged to visit San Francisco and vicinity in the latter part of that year, but an attack of
pneumonia prevented him, and Dr. Widney went in his stead.
A society, which later became a Church of the Nazarene, was formed in Elysian Heights, Los
Angeles, in the latter part of 1897, the Rev. J. H. McIntyre being the first pastor. About the same
time, a church was organized in South Pasadena, of which the Rev. Mr. Clark was pastor.
During all this period the work of God went gloriously forward in the mother church in Los
Angeles. Multitudes of souls were saved, and vast numbers of believers were sanctified wholly.
When the First Church was holding its meetings at 208 North Main street, shortly after the
beginning of the work, an undated paper or pamphlet was issued by the church. It bore the heading
"Church of the Nazarene." In this little sheet I find the following words of triumph by Dr. Bresee:
"The holy benediction and hallowed joy which come in such fulness, seem almost a marvel in these
days. The voice of prayers and hallelujahs trembling on the lips; the shouts of those who conquer,
are no infrequent things in the Church of the Nazarene. Evangelical faith brings pentecostal glory.
The presence of the Lord is often so manifest as we are gathered together, that not only do our hearts
burn within us, but our tongues are tuned to praise, and triumphant hallelujahs fill the house--to Jesus
be all the glory."
This brings us down to the beginning of the year 1898, and from that time on, I have been able
to obtain much valuable data from "The Nazarene," "The Nazarene Messenger," and still later from
the HERALD OF HOLINESS.