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Byron J. Rees

Byron J. Rees (c. 1865 – c. 1920) was an American preacher and author whose ministry within the Holiness movement left a modest yet enduring mark through his writings on sanctification and Christian living during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born around 1865, likely in the United States—possibly in a region like New England or the Midwest where revivalism thrived—he emerged as a voice in the burgeoning Pentecostal and Holiness circles. Little is known of his personal life, including exact birth and death dates or family details, but his works suggest a deep engagement with the spiritual currents of his time, likely spurred by a personal conversion experience that led him to preach. Rees’ preaching career gained visibility through his published works, such as The Heart-Cry of Jesus (1898), a book of sermons dedicated to Christ that explores sanctification as an attainable experience for believers, and other titles like Christlikeness and Hulda, the Pentecostal Prophetess. He preached alongside contemporaries at events like the Hallelujahs from Portsmouth camp meetings, emphasizing full salvation and the Holy Spirit’s power—themes that resonated with a growing audience hungry for revival literature. Though not as prominent as figures like Bud Robinson, his ministry contributed to the Holiness movement’s momentum, leaving a legacy preserved in sermon archives like those on oChristian.com. He likely passed around 1920, his influence persisting through his printed exhortations to holy living.