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

Phineas F. Bresee
A PRINCE IN ISRAEL
By E. A. Girvin
CHAPTER 19
Early Legislation of the Church -- The First Manual -- The First Assembly -- A Notable
Assembly -- The Work in Berkeley -- Dr. Bresee in Oakland -- A Trip to Illinois -- A Meeting
in Seattle -- A Poetical Description -- Thrilling Experience of Rev. J. H. Crowell
Early Legislation Of The Church
The first Council of the Church of the Nazarene was held at the tabernacle on Los Angeles street,
on April 18, 1898. It was composed of ministers, official members, and others especially interested
in the work. Dr. Bresee called the meeting to order, and made a brief address, sketching some of the
peculiar providences which led to the organization of the church, the blessings which crowned it, the
precious fellowship and holy love which had prevailed, and the open doors through which hungry
souls beckoned them to enter. He then called Dr. Widney to the chair, and the latter spoke of the
history and prospects of the church. Rev. E. A. Girvin and Rev. M. Clark reported respectively as
to the progress of the churches of which they were the pastors, in Berkeley and South Pasadena. Rev.
J. H. McIntyre, pastor of the church at Elysian Heights, Los Angeles, told of the glorious work of
God under his ministry. Brother and Sister McIntyre were among the earliest sheaves gathered into
the garner of the Lord through the instrumentality of the young church. About two years before,
when passing the doors of the tabernacle, they were led to stop and listen. They heard earnest words
and shouts of victory. They felt that those within had something which they needed and did not
possess. They entered, were converted, sanctified, and anointed to tell the old-new story of
redeeming love. When Brother McIntyre finished his report, Brother C. E. McKee spoke of the
Buttonhole Brigade, Sister Lucy P. Knott told of the work among young women, carried on by
Company E. Then short addresses were made by Brothers Coleman, Allison, and others, after which
the character of the meeting changed into a general love feast, wherein the Holy Spirit was
manifested, and all were blessed.
The First Manual
On October 14th and 18th, 1898, a delegated meeting of all the churches of the Church of the
Nazarene, was held in the tabernacle on Los Angeles street. The principle object of this meeting was
to prepare a manual for the church, which would more fully represent it than the articles and general
rules which had previously been adopted and published. Some other business was transacted, chief
of which was the acceptance of the resignation of the two General Superintendents. It was felt that
the article in the constitution, giving to the General Superintendents a life tenure of office, required
modification. As it was a personal matter, beginning and ending in the then incumbents, it was
unanimously thought best for them to resign. A law was then passed making the term of the office
one year. Good progress was made with the manual, but it was not completed at that time.