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

Phineas F. Bresee
A PRINCE IN ISRAEL
By E. A. Girvin
CHAPTER 18
Narrow Escape From Death -- Mrs. Mary J. Willard -- Dr. Bresee's Account of His Accident
-- How the Nazarenes Died -- Passed Away on Her Knees -- Silas McClure -- Gardner Howland
-- Robert Marley -- Dr. Whistler
A Narrow Escape From Death
On the evening of August 8,1900, Dr. Bresee, and those who were with him in his carriage, met
with a terrible accident, which caused the death of one of the party. The following is taken from the
report of the disaster written by Brother W. S. Knott, who is one of the charter members of the
Church of the Nazarene, and a prominent attorney of Los Angeles:
"On Wednesday night, August 8th, a carriage containing Dr. P. F. Bresee, Mrs. M. J. Willard,
Mrs. L. L. Ernest, Mrs. Ada Bresee, and Mary Robinette, while crossing Hill street a short distance
south of Pico street, in Los Angeles city, was run into by a Traction electric car, and crushed to
fragments. Mrs. Willard was almost instantly killed, Dr. Bresee was seriously injured, Mrs. Ada
Bresee sustained a fracture of the collar bone, which, though not dangerous, caused her much
suffering, and both Mrs. Ernest and Miss Mary Robinette were painfully bruised.
"Dr. Bresee, who was driving, started the horse rapidly across the street, but before the carriage
could clear the track, the car bore down upon them with fearful velocity, and crashed into the
carriage with the dreadful results stated.
"Dr. Bresee was cautious and careful, and the sad calamity was the result of the recklessness of
those in charge of the car.
"The Young People's meeting Friday night was largely devoted to earnest supplications to God
for his speedy restoration to health." Brother Knott concluded his report as follows:
"When we last saw our dear Sister Willard in life, she had just been kneeling at the altar with an
unsaved young woman, praying with her, and pointing her to the Christ who died for her, and she
was then listening to the young woman testify to the glorious fact that the Lord had pardoned her
sins. Not more than twenty minutes after this, Sister Willard had passed through the pearly gates, and
cast her crown at Jesus' feet."
Mrs. Mary J. Willard
A page of the issue of the Nazarene Messenger, of August 16,1900, is devoted to the memory of
Sister Willard, who was born in Philadelphia, Pa., March 19,1829. She was an honored member of
the Church Board of the First Church of the Nazarene, a deaconess of that church, and a most earnest
and efficient teacher in the Sunday school. She was also a member of the Board of Publication of