after bresee died in 1915, and wiley resigned from the school the following year, rees found himself isolated. when ecclesiastical charges that had been routinely quashed by bresee were renewed against rees in may 1916, protocol was followed and a “trial” was set for may 29 at the first church of the nazarene, then located at sixth and wall streets in los angeles. while such trials were supposed to be conducted behind closed doors, rees reached out to supporters through the local press, promising a “sensation.” when the trial began, a raucous crowd of two hundred supporters had assembled as “character witnesses” outside the church. the throng caused such a commotion that the trial committee agreed to admit the crowd to the auditorium; however, they were not allowed access to the proceedings, and rees "walked out" in protest. in the end, the committee of elders was unable to reach consensus and rees was acquitted.