1915 College founder and first president, Phineas Bresee dies.

The faithful heart that carried so many burdens was wearing out. He never gave up the purpose to attend the General Assembly at Kansas City, Missouri. He held steadily to the belief that His heavenly Father would suffer him to go. He had made all preparation some time before and had prepared the General Superintendent's report.

On September 22, accompanied by his wife, Miss Sue Bresee, and Mrs. Paul Bresee, Dr. Bresee started for the Assembly. On the way his breathing became more difficulty and his condition serious. As soon as they arrived, Mrs. Paul Bresee wired her husband to come at once. He was an able physician and understood his father's case. His treatment was so helpful that Dr. Bresee was sufficiently restored to be present at all the business sessions of the Assembly and even to read the report of the General Superintendents.

On Thursday evening, November 4, he sent for all the members of his family. The four sons, two daughters and loved daughter-in-law knelt around him, the beloved wife among them. He prayed for them and all the absent members of the family, mentioning each by name, and commending them to the mercy of God. He thanked the Lord for the tender affection of his children for him, and besought the Savior to bring them all home to heaven at last. As he prayed, the tears ran down his aged cheeks and his eldest son, Ernest, Wiped them away. They were among the last tears he was ever to shed!

On November 6, sitting on the edge of the bed for more comfortable breathing, he said, "Position is nothing; reputation little. True godliness is the only thing which has any value." On Sunday evening, November 7, Brother Girvin was going to the early prayer meeting at First Church and stopped a moment to see Dr. Bresee. He said: "Tell them all that I love them and that I pray that the glory of God may come upon them and that they may have victory through the precious blood of Jesus." On November 13, 1915 at 1 o'clock p.m., the old warrior of God passed through the veil into the presence of his King.

The battles were over. The hands that had toiled so industriously and the mind that had borne the care of all the churches were finally at rest; and that thrilling voice that had so many times called the Lord's hosts to victorious conflict was now forever hushed in death. He who, while living, was pelted with the stones of persecution for his love of holiness, was buried with wagonloads of wreaths and flowers. He whose heart had been wrung with anguish by the cruelty of ecclestical leaders was laid to rest in the same city with the reverent esteem of its citizens and the lamentations of a denomination of faithful followers.

From Phinieas F. Bresee, D.D., A Life Sketch by A.M. Hills


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