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  WILLIAM BRANHAM
  by Gordon Lindsay
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Lindsay's biography of the evangelist William Branham, highlighting his
supernatural ministry, reported healings, and remarkable events during his
religious meetings. A significant document of the mid-twentieth-century healing
revival movement.

  Chapters: 23

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  TABLE OF CONTENTS
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    1. 00-Lindsay-William Branham
    2. 01-A Strange Challenge
    3. 02-Peculiar Birth And Childhood
    4. 03-Hardship And Poverty
    5. 04-Conversion Of William Branham
    6. 05-A Happy Marriage and a Fateful Decision
    7. 06-The Great Ohio Flood Of 1937
    8. 07-Despair Then A Visit To Heaven
    9. 08-Remarkable ncidents
   10. 09-An Angel From The Presence
   11. 10-Beginning Again With A Fresh
   12. 11-His First Healing Campaign
   13. 12-Dramatic Events Following The Angel's
   14. 13-Sketches From The Branham Meetings
   15. 14-Gordon Lindsay Enters The Branham
   16. 15-Branham In The Northwest
   17. 16-The Voice of Healing Born
   18. 17-The Branham PartyGoes North
   19. 18-The Amazing Houston Coliseum
   20. 19-The American Press Reports
   21. 20-Gifts Of Healing Plus
   22. 21-Visions Witnessed By William Branham
   23. 22-The Overseas Trip

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  CHAPTER 1: 00-LINDSAY-WILLIAM BRANHAM
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William Branham: A MAN SENT FROM GOD By Gordon Lindsay Editor Of The Voice Of
Healing In collaboration With William Branham

Published By

William Branham Jeffersonville, Indiana, U.S.A.

Contents

Chapter:

1. A Strange Challenge 2. Peculiar Birth And Childhood 3. Hardships And Poverty
In The Branham Home 4. Conversion Of William Branham 5. A Happy Marriage And A
Fateful Decision 6. The Great Ohio Flood Of 1937 7. Despair - Then A Dream Of
Heaven 8. Remarkable Incidents Preceding Angel’s Visit 9. An Angel From The
Presence Of God 10. Beginning Again With A New Anointing 11. His First Healing
Campaign At St. Louis, Missouri 12. Dramatic Events In Brother Branham’s
Ministry After The Appearance Of The Angel 13. Shetches From The Branham
Meetings 14. The Writer Enters The Story 15. Branham In The Northwest 16. The
Voice Of Healing Is Born 17. The Branham Party Goes North 18. The Amazing
Photograph In Houston Coliseum 19. The American Press Reports The Branham
Meetings 20. Gifts of Healing Plus 21. An Account Of The Visions Of William
Branham 22. Overseas Trip To Scandinavia

Introduction The story of the life of William Branham is so out of this world
and beyond the ordinary that were there not available a host of infallible
prooofs which document and attest its authenticity, one might well be excused
for considering it far-fetched and incredible. But the facts are so generally
known, and of such a nature that they can be so easily verified by any sincere
investigator, that they must stand as God’s Witness to His willingness and
purpose to reveal Himself again to men as He once did in the days of the
prophets and the apostles. The story of this prophets life - for he is a
prophet, though we infrequently use the term - indeed witnesses to the fact the
Bible days are here again. The writer is keenly conscious of his own lack of
literary qualifications to properly depict and tell the story of this great
ministry. However, he is aided considerably in that not a little of the
narrative has been told in the words of Brother Branham himself, and by certain
others who have been associated in this ministry. The clear, simple style of
Rev. Branham possesses its own charm, and though he himself boast no cultural
advantages, this style, though at times rugged , is always dramatic and has a
distinction of its own. To know Brother Branham is to love him. His nature is
tender and kind and his sensibilities react deeply to the suffering and pain of
others. So great has been his compassion for the sick and afflicted, that he
permitted his own health to suffer while praying long hours for endless lines of
sick men, women, and children. For a time he carried, as it were, the weight of
a suffering world upon his frail shoulders, until God made it known to him that
his responsibility must be shared by others. Divine Healing will not make a man
immortal in this life, and even Jesus bore the weight of weariness.

It is true thatBrother Branham lives in a different world than that of the
average Christian. And in that world his spiritual senses have been quickened to
a point that has enabled him to move further out into God, and caused him to be
more conscious of heavenly realities, than perhaps any man now living. It is
this amazing spiritual sensitivity that has caused his ministry to be so
revolutionary. He brings to the church, a fresh revelation of the reality of the
power of God and the intrinsic truth of the miraculous in the Scriptures.

Together with this spiritual acumen, there is another characteristic of his
ministry that makes him so intensely loved by the multitudes who hear him - it
is his simple humility. Nobody is jealous of the successes of the little man who
for long years fought a losing battle with life - one who through much of his
life has known nothing but the pangs of poverty, hardship and crushing sorrows,
a man who has had even the little of life wrenched from his grasp, until his
very soul was left bare, and it seemed as if heaven itself had conspired against
him. We may thank God for the compensations Divine Providence has given him
since, and rejoice with him in his victories. perhaps in the ministry of no
other man has death in this life been so strongly symbolized; this, of course,
to the purpose that God may show forth to His people, the new or Resurrection
Life.

Brother Branham frequently apologizes to his audiences for his lack of cultural
qualifications. Readily he tells of his humble origin, his long struggle with
poverty. There are no pretentions. Only when it comes to the matter of his own
call is there no doubt ot hesitancy. Of this he must speak to fulfill the
commission which has been given him. His Message and the exercise of his gift
must be made known to the world.

It is his simple humility and absolute honesty with the people that has charmed
his audiences wherever he has been. Though the fulfilling of his calling demands
that he minister to the great crowds, his sinceredesire is to preserve the
simplicity of his life. He knows full well that great men of God in the past
have found that both their power with God and their anointing were lacking when
they lost the simplicity of their Christian experience. and the spirit of
humility they once possessed. But in his own battle William Branham was brought
in intimate touch with the suffering and sorrow of humanity. And with the
honored position that God has now called him, he is still able to feel intensely
for those who also must tread as he did, the dark and lonely path of sorrow.

There was another reason why God chose William Branham for the great task of
calling His people to the unity of spirit. The Lord knew that he would never
attempt to start another organization of his own. This he could have done. But
to such suggestion he never gave one moment of consideration. He sought not only
the healing of physical bodies of believers, but also the healing of the
Mystical Body of Christ - which is His Church.

Still another great purpose of the Branham meetings was to bring inspiration to
the ministry, that many with this new inspiration would go back to their own
churches and begin a real ministry of deliverance. Too long had substitutes been
used to draw people to the church, until worship in many congregations has been
submerged to a purely human level with the element of the supernatural
completely gone. Indeed, what wonderful ministeries were born in the lives of
those who, after attending the Branham meetings, returned home, locked their
doors and refused to emerge until they had heard from heaven! As for the
Christians themselves, their lives have been enriched as they beheld before
their very eyes, the working of a miracle! How skepticism and unbelief have been
challenged and put to flight! God is no longer a vague and distant God, but One
Who is nigh and ready to reveal Himself to the sons of men! Modernism is rooted
out and forms of godliness is haken to its very foundation. Through the ministry
of William Branham, God has brought us to the realization, once again, that the
Bible is True, His power is real, Heaven and Hell are real! The personal
testimony of the writer is that the ministry of William Branham has powerfully
affected his own. Though he had practiced the ministry of healing, it was not
until he had witnessed the ministry of Brother Branham that he received faith to
minister to the deaf, the dumb, and blind, and see immediate results. The writer
considers it an honor to be associated with William Branham - it is a reward in
itself.

Looking back to the beginning of this visitation of God, we may point to May 7,
1946, when the Angel of the Lord, speaking to William Branham, told him that if
he would remain faithful, this great spiritual move would shake the world. We
are seeing this predection fulfilled. But speaking for us all, as well as our
beloved Brother Branham, and looking a step further beyond frail human
instumentality, we see the inscrutable purpose of the Almighty, who so loved the
world that He gave His only begotten Son. How unsearchable are His judgments and
His ways past finding out! To Him be all glory.

Gordon Lindsay

Please Note For the sake of brevity, the publishers of the William Branham Home
Page have found it necessary to edit and/or ’update’ portions of Bro. Lindsay’s
Book. We have taken extreme care not to distort in any way the picture presented
of "A Man Sent From God".

Originally the book was written to witness to the world of the ’amazing’ signs
and wonders ministry that God had given ONE man in the Twentieth Century. No
real effort was given to identify that particular ministry in the Scriptures.
After the writing of the book, the Angel further instructed Brother Branham
concerning his unusual ministry, which said the Angel would come to it’s climax
in Three Phases (Pulls). Where possible we have endeavoured to give greater
insight into this endtime ministry - the likes of which has been seen only in
Abraham’s day (Genesis 18:1-33) , some of the Old Testament Prophets and in the
ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you as you journey into the
supernatural life of a prophet.


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  CHAPTER 2: 01-A STRANGE CHALLENGE
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Chapter 1 A Strange Challenge The life of William Branham was a life that was
lived almost continually in the supernatural realm. Truly he lived in two worlds
at the same time - the seen and the unseen. In this book I will reherse
highlights from Bro. Branham’s life and some of the supernatural things in his
ministry. To begin, let’s go to the city of Portland, Oregon. The doors of the
great municipal auditorium of the City of Portland, Oregon, were opened early
that november evening of the year 1947. When the caretaker made his rounds to
unlock the doors, he was somewhat puzzled to find such a large crowd waiting to
get in. To him it was strange because in all his years as caretaker he had not
seen so many people come to any religious meeting. Previous religious services
had not attracted enough people to fill more than a fraction of the auditorium.
He wondered why this meeting would attract so many, even without widespread
advertising

Within a few minutes the great auditorium was filled to more than its capacity.
A representative from the Fire Department ordered the doors closed, not allowing
anyone else to enter. Such was the interest generated among the people by a
’Branham Meeting’.

What was the attraction in a Branham meeting that had brought together so many
people? It wasn’t the singing or the special music. For although both were
excellent and inspiring, yet it was evident that the people were waiting with
restrained impatience until the preliminaries would be over in anticipation of
what was to follow. The people were anxious to see William Branham "The Man Sent
From God". Concerning this man, it was said that an Angel had appeared to him in
a special visitation, and gifts of healing were manifest in his ministry. The
Lord Jesus, according to His promise was, in this century, "confirming His Word
with signs following." The large crowd that had gathered for these meetings were
hungry in their souls for "The Living God" to show Himself alive. Jesus said,
"If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye
believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the
Father is in me, and I in Him." (John 10:36-38). The services of the first two
nights aroused tremenduous interest - God had indeed shown Himself alive. The
sick were healed. Those bound by demon power were delivered. On the third night,
our Lord Jesus, through His servant, put to silence the critics, showing that He
was Lord of all. On this night, the writer, who was directing this brief
campaign, was preparing to turn the service over to "The Man Sent From God". The
people were asked to stand to their feet and sing the chorus, "Only Believe, All
things Are Possible, Only Believe." While the congregation sang, a little man
with modest demeanor and a friendly smile entered and moved behind the pulpit.
The singing ceased, and a hush fell over the audience as it listened intently to
the speaker. The people were impressed by the graciousness of the speaker as
well as his evident sincerity and humility. "The Man Sent From God", taking the
thought of faith, began the theme of his message. He said, "There is nothing
that can stand before faith in God , and if the people here tonight will believe
God with me, we shall see that God will honor that faith and confirm it before
the eyes of this entire congregation." As the audience listened, they were
completely unaware of the startling dramma that was about to unfold before them.
For suddenly, from far back in the building, we noticed a man making great
strides, apparently in the direction of the platform. At first we supposed that
an emergency had arisen. But as he moved closer to the platform we realized with
no little misgiving that the man was bent on causing trouble. Observing his
countenance we thought him to be insane. We learned later that he wasn’t insane,
in that he did not know what he was doing, but was a notorious and vicious
character who had previously run afoul of the law for disturbing and breaking up
religious services. Jail sentences had not taught him a lesson. Once again he
was determined to break up another religous gathering. But the outcome in this
one was to be different for him, and for the people.

Up the steps he strode without pausing. Now he was on the platform assuming a
menacing attitude that by this time was attracting the attention of the entire
congregation. Two sturdy policemen standing in the wings, were about to come
forward and forcibly remove the man. But "The Man Sent From God" had apparently
put himself on the spot for he had just declared that all things were possible
to him that believed, and God would always back up His servants who put their
trust in Him. The Policemen were hastily waved back. "The Man Sent From God" was
fully aware of what was happening. Speaking quietly to the audience, and
requesting that the people unite with him in silent prayer, he turned to meet
his challenger face to face. The man, with contempt on his contenance, began to
accuse and curse "The Man Sent From God". "You are of the Devil, and deceiving
the people," he shouted, "an imposter, a snake in the grass, a fake, and I am
going to show these peole that you are!" It was a bold challenge and no idle
threat. Spitting at the Man of God, the challenger moved to carry out his
threat. Considering his size, he was will able to physically overpower God’s
servant. But the story of David and Goliath comes to mind, realizing that the
greater battle being set on the platform was not physical but spiritual. As the
man moved toward the Man of God, the two Policemen attempted again to come to
his aid, but the little figure on the platform waved them back. In rejecting
their assistance "The Man Sent From God" had deliberately accepted the challenge
of his accuser. No doubt the critics expected a swift and pitful conclusion to
the unexpected dramma that was now coming to a climax. Certainly they could see
that there was no romm for trickery. The Man of God would have to have the goods
or take the consequences. The startled congregation looked on in wonder and
amazement, hardly knowing what to expect next, but fearing the worst . The
seconds passed but it appeared that something was hindering the challenger from
carrying out his threats. Seemingly, not being able to move, he continued to
spit and utter cursing at the Man of God. THEN, softly but determined, the voice
of God’s servant could now be heard rebuking the evil power that dominated the
accuser. Speaking so quietly, being heard onlt by those on the platform, he
said, "Satan, because you have challenged the servant of God before this great
congregation, you must bow before me. In the Name of Jesus Christ, you shall
fall at my feet." The speaker repeated the words. The challenger ceased to speak
and began to struggle - trying to move forward but could not. Gradually the evil
forces within him began to succumb to the Power manifested through the Man of
God, in the Name of Jesus Christ. A tense battle of spiritual forces now
summoned every bit of strength the man had in him. Beads of perspiration broke
out on his face as he put forth a last desperate effort to prevail. Suddenly, he
gave an awful groan and slumped to the floor sobbing in an hysterical manner.
For quite awhile he lay there writhring in the dust, as the Man of God calmly
proceeded with the service as if nothing had happened.

Needles to say, the great congregation was awed by the scene that had transpired
before them, in which God so signally vindicated His Servant, and loud praises
to God filled the spacious auditorium. The Policemen, startled by what they had
witnessed, openly acknowledged that God was in their midst. In the healing
service that followed, many miracles of healing took place as wave after wave of
the glory of God moved through the building. But who was this little man that
spoke with such words of authority and whose ministry had been confirmed by such
a remarkable demonstration of Divine power? His name was William Branham,
Jeffersonville, Indiana, and his ministry was to have wider and wider
reverberations until, at the time of this writing the effect of it has reached
throughout the world.

Strangely enough, as this campaign concluded, we heard that a few doubted. Why
would God choose a man of such unpretentious background, who had such a limited
knowledge of this world’s wisdom? Nor could they understand the principle which
Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, "For ye see your calling, brehtren, how
that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are
called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the
wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things
which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things whichare despised,
hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that
are: that no flesh should glory in His Presence."

Let’s learn more of this man of God’s chosing. Who is William Branham? From
whence did he come? What was the manner of his birth? His special visitation
from God and his commission to heal the sick? Come with us into the next chapter
and learn of his peculiar birth, childhood, first vision, the first time God
spkoke to him, etc.

Formatedd by


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  CHAPTER 3: 02-PECULIAR BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD
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Chapter 2 Peculiar Birth And Childhood Not unlike some of the Bible prophets,
the birth of William Branham was marked by the Presence of the Supernatural. He
was born on April 6th. 1909. The first child of Charles and Ella Branham. It was
a beautiful morning in the hill country of Kentucky. In a humble log cabin the
voice of a baby was heard. The parents of this child were delighted over the
birth of their first son. But even from birth he would be a peculiar child. On
this morning, God Himself would confirm that this child was His choice. The
young mother and father watched in astonishment as the Pillar of Fire came into
the little cabin, moved accross the room and stopped directly over the sleeping
child. Little did the mother know that this little five pound infant would be
used of Almighty God to deliver His people from sickness and bondage. God would
use him to carry the Gospel all over the world. No wonder, the neighbors, who
had gathered to see the new born baby, spoke of a strange feeling of awe in the
room. No doubt it was caused by the Presence of the Angel, who would later speak
to him and guide him through his life and ministry. Of all the mountain folk,
the Branham’s were the poorest of the poor. God’s ways are past finding out. In
the years to come God would use this child to cast out demons, bring sight to
the blind - physically and spiritually, cause the deaf to hear, cancers to
vanish, and thousands upon thousands to fall prostrate at atlars in tears of
repentance. They would come by airplane, boat, trains, busses and automobile,
bringing the sick to him. They would come from all over the world to hear him
tell the story of Jesus in his simple, humble way.

It was just two weeks after his birth that the father and mother took baby
William down the creek to the old fashioned, Lone Star Missionary Baptist
Church. It was here that the Pastor took William in his arms and dedicated him
to the Lord. Little did that Pastor realize that this child would be used so
mightly of the Lord to pull down the strong holds of Satan in the Twentieth
Century.

Child And Mother Escape Death

Charles Branham was a logger. As such it was necessary for him to be away from
home much of the time, especially in the Fall and Winter months when the weather
was bad for travelling. It was during one of these times that circumstances
conspired to almost take the life of both the mother and son. At this time, when
William was about six months of age, and the father was away from home, a
terrible storm came, and the whole country was snowbound for days. There was
little to eat in the cabin and soon the young mother ran out of both food and
wood. She wrapped her feet in burlap sacks, went into the woods, and chopped
small saplings, then dragged them to the cabin, trying to keep fire. Finally she
grew weaker and weaker and had to give up. With no food or heat the mother took
all the bed clothing, wrapped herself and the child in bed and waited for the
end. It was then that God sent His protecting angel and spared their lives. A
neighbour who, from a considerable distance, could still see the Branham cabin,
became more and more concerned over the welfare of it’s occupants. A number of
days had elapsed and he had not seen any smoke rising from the chimney. Unable
to shake his troubled thoughts, he dressed warmly and waded through the snow
drifts to reach the cabin.

Arriving at the door, his fears were confirmed. There were no tracks leading
from the Cabin and the door was barred from the inside. He felt compelled to
’break-in’. Forcing the door open, he entered to find the mother and child lying
on the bed, wrapped in everything the mother could find in the little one room
cabin. Both mother and child were near death from starvation and cold. Moving as
quickly as he could through the snow drifts, the neighbour gathered wood for a
fire and food for young William Branham and his mother. This was just one of
many experiences where God was protecting the "Ministry" which william Branham
was ordained to bring to the world.

God’s First Message To The Boy (As Told By Brother Branham Himself)

I was on my way one afternoon to carry water to the house from the barn, which
was about a city block away. About halfway between the house and the barn stood
an old poplar tree. I had just gotten home from school and the other boys were
going out to a pond to fish. I was crying to go but dad said that I had to pack
water. I stopped under the tree to rest when all of a sudden I heard a sound as
of the wind blowing the leaves. The afternoon was very still and there was no
wind blowing anywhere else, only in the tree. I stepped back from the tree and
noticed that in a certain place about the size of a barrel, the wind seemed to
be blowing through the the leaves of the tree. THEN there came a Voice saying:
"Never drink, smoke, or defile your body in any way, for I have a work for you
to do when you get older."

It frightened me so that I ran home screaming to my mother saying that a man had
spoke to me out of the tree. She thought I was just nervous and worked up. But I
never went by that tree again. Looking back now, I know that the Angel of God
was in that tree, and in later years I was to meet him face to face and talk
with him.

I have heard the sound of "That Wind" over and over agin throughout my life. One
day when my father (in the presence of another man) called me a ’sissy’ because
I wouldn’t drink whiskey, I grabbed the bottle and started to take a drink. THEN
it came again. I heard that sound like the blowing of the leaves. I looked
around, but there was no sign of the wind blowing. I put the bottle to my lips
again - that noise came again, only louder. Overcome with fear, I dropped the
bottle and ran.

Another time my friends called me ’sissy’ because I didn’t smoke. Just to show
them that I could smoke I said, "Give me that cigarette!" As I was putting it to
my mouth, the sound of the "Rushing Wind" came down again. I threw the cigarette
down and ran accross the field, crying. I could hear the other young people
laughing at me.

I lived with the peculiar feeling, like someone standing near me, trying to say
something to me, and especially when I was alone. No one seemed to understand me
at all. The boys wouldn’t hang around with me because I didn’t drink or smoke.
The girls avoided me because I didn’t go to dances. It seemed that all through
my life I was just a black sheep, knowing no one who understood me, and not even
understanding myself.


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  CHAPTER 4: 03-HARDSHIP AND POVERTY
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Chapter Three Hardship And Poverty In The Branham Home

It has often seemed that in the Providence of God, that His chosen vessels have
been ordained to live their early lives in circumstances of extreme poverty.
Sometimes they have been permitted to taste deeply the cup of sorrow. No one
knows how to feel for another in distress or affliction unless he has gone
through similar trials himself. Rarely have those who have received an unusual
calling from God been reared in homes of the rich, or have come from
aristocratic families. The Saviour Himself was cradled in a manger. When His
parents took Him to the temple for circumcision, the family could only afford
merely two turtle doves for the sacrifice. According to Leviticus 12:8 this was
to be the sacrifice if the parents were too poor to afford a lamb.

Because he appeared in such rude garments and his preaching was so rugged, the
critics in those days questioned the authority of John The Baptist, the
forerunner of Christ’s First Coming. He lacked the style and polish of the
ecclesiastical schools of learning of his day. When they questioned Jesus about
John, He pointedly asked, "But what went ye out for to see? a man clothed in
soft raiment? Behold they that wear soft clothing are in King’s houses." In
other words the Lord was showing them that they should not look for Prophet’s of
John’s stature to emerge from an enviroment where they had been pampered and
sheltered from the stresses of life.

Humility and sturdiness of character are developed best amid the rugged life
that comes from hardship, suffering and poverty. Let’s stop here and let Brother
Branham, in his own words, tell us of his home, his childhood days and his
father’s struggle with poverty...

I’ve seen dad come from the log woods so sunburnt that mother would take
scissors and cut his shirt loose from his back. He worked hard for seventy-five
cents a day to make us a living. I loved my father, even though he drank.
Sometimes he gave me a whipping, but I never got one but that I needed another.
He used to keep the Ten Commandments on the wall with a large hickory switch
over them. I got my education out in the woodshed when I did wrong.

I It’s no disgrace to be poor. But it’s hard sometimes. I remember that I didn’t
have proper clothes for school. I went one whole year without even a shirt to
wear. There was a rich woman who lived nearby that gave me a coat with a sailor
emblem on the arm. I would wear that coat and because I had no shirt on I would
button the collar right up around my neck. I would get really hot. The teacher
would say, "William, why don’t you take that coat off?" But I couldn’t; I didn’t
have any shirt on. So I would fib and say, "I’m chilly." She would say, "All
right, sit over there by the fire." And I would sit there while the perspiration
would run down on me.

Well, it was pretty hard going. My toes would stick through my shoes like turtle
heads. But then, one day I got a "shirt". It was a girl’s dress which belonged
originally to my cousin. It had a lot of curlicue stuff (ruffles) on it. I cut
the skirt part offand just ware the upper part. I put it on and you should have
seen me strut going to school. Then the other children got to laughing at me.
They said, "You’ve got on a girl’s dress." I had to fib again. I said, "No I
haven’t, that’s my Indian suit." But they didn’t believe me and laughed again -
I went off crying.

There was a boy that lived near us, who was selling those little PATHFINDER
magazines. After he sold so many they gave him a prize - a boy scout suit. My,
how I liked that suit. it was wartime then (WW1) and everybody that was big
enough was in uniform. I always wanted to be a soldier. I was too little then.
Even in this last war (WW2) I wasn’t large enough to go. I have four brothers
that went. But God has given me a uniform anyway - the armor of God - so I could
go out and fight against sin, sickness and disease thats binding the people. But
how I admired that Scout suit, with it’s hat and leggings. I said, "Lloyd, when
you wear that suit out will you give it to me?" He said, "Yeah, I’ll give it to
you Billy." But, my, that suit lasted longer than enything that I ever saw. it
seemed to me that he would never wear that thing out. Then I missed it for a
while and so I went to him and asked him for it. He said that his mother had cut
it up to make patches for his dad’s clothing BUT there was one legging left. I
said, "Bring me that!" So I took it home and out it on. I thought that I was a
real soldier. I wanted to wear it to school and I didn’t know just how to do it.
So I pretended that one of my legs was hurt and I put that legging on as if I
were protecting my injured leg. But at school the teacher sent me to the
blackboard. I tried to hide my leg that didn’t have a legging, and all the
children got to laughing at me. I started crying and the teacher made me go
home.

Iremember how with my brothers we struggled together and how hard it was for us
- not enough food to eat and not enough clothes to wear. In school we wouldn’t
eat our lunch with the rest because they had nice things to eat but we couldn’t
didn’y have very much. Sometimes we would get a real treat - mother would give
us Pop corn in our school lunch.

You know it was a great struggle for mother and dad to raise so many children
during those ppor times. Being sort of a daddy’s boy - I admired him. When I saw
him roll up his sleeves and I’d see those big muscles, I used to think, "My
father will live to be a hindred years old." But he was only fifty-two years
old, still ungreyed, curly-haired man, when his precious head lay across my
shoulder and God took him home.


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  CHAPTER 5: 04-CONVERSION OF WILLIAM BRANHAM
========================================================================

Chapter 4 The Conversion Of William Branham His Conversion Not being born again,
the strange and peculiar experiences in his childhood and teen years would at
times trouble the young man. He was already aware of the Light that stood over
him at birth, the visions, the Voice in the Whirlwind and the strange rushing
sound of wind when he tried to smoke and drink whiskey. Some people had told him
that "these things" were of the Devil. This troubled him more because up to this
time in his life he had no knowledge of what the Scriptures taught about it.

William Branham, the boy, though he had these remarkable manifestations in his
life, yet he was not converted. For a time he still resisted the call of God on
his life. At the age of fourteen he was seriously wounded while hunting and had
to spend seven months in hospital. God dealt with him then, but still he did not
take heed. Nevertheless the urgency of the call became more an more concious to
him. Inasmuch as his parents were not Christians he did not get any
encouragement from them. As he became older the enemy tried to stifle that
’still small voice’ that was ever speaking to his heart.

He Goes West When he had reached the age of 19, he decided that he would go out
West to work on a ranch. In September of 1927, he told his mother that he was
going on a camping trip to Tunnel Mill, about fourteen miles north of
Jeffersonville. He told her this, knowing that if she were aware of his true
intentions to go West, she would plead with him not to go. When his mother
finally heard from him, instead of being in Tunnel Mill, he was far away in
Phoenix, Arizona. In reality, down in his heart, he knew that he was running
away from God. Of his experiences in the West and the call of God which was ever
upon his heart he says.....

I remember the first heard of cattle I helped drive out of the mountains. I
thought I was a real cowhand. When evening came I rode off that horse, got my
blanket and used my saddle as a pillow. And there was an old guy there we called
Slim. And another guy from Texas with a guitar, and they were playing songs. Old
Slim was playing a comb with a piece of paper behind it. The herd was all
settled down for the night. And after a while they begin to play "Down At The
Cross Where My Saviour Died; It was down there for cleansing from sin I cried."
My heart bein to jump. I took the blanket and pulled it over my head to keep
from hearing it because I was a sinner.

I lay there pretending I was asleep. But when I pulled the blanket down, I
thought, "Now, it’ll all be over, because they’ve stopped playing their music
and gone to bed..." But when I looked up, them big stars was hanging just above
me. Something said: "Who put them up there and Who’s holding them in place?"
Just then the wind come through those whispering pines and it seemed like there
was a voice that said, "There’s a land beyond the river that they call the sweet
forever. And we only reach that shore by faith’s decree." I got my blanket and
pulled it around my hears again.

Brother, God is so great He will find you, I don’t care where you are. Don’t try
to hide from Him. you’re fighting a losing battle. And a ’losing battle’ it
would be for William Branham. This life, chosen of God, would eventually succumb
to the Heavenly Fathers Will. Almost beaten into the dust from whence he came,
Bro. Branham would rise on wings of faith to serve his God. A Sad Message
Arrives

One day the young man received a letter from home informing him that one of his
brothers was very ill. It was Edward, the one next in age to him. He did not
think the illness was serious and believed everything would be alright. However,
one evening a few days later, he returned to the ranch from the city, and as he
was coming through the mess hall, there was a message given him which read,
"Bill, come to the north pasture. Very important." He immediately walked out to
the pasture and the first person he met was an old Lone Star renger whom they
called "Pop." He had a sad expression on his face and he said, "Billy boy, I
have sad news for you." At the same time the foreman came walking up. They told
him that his brother, Edward, had died.

You can imagine the shock this was to the young William Branham as he realized
that he would never again see his brother alive in this world. Events begin to
move swiftly from then on. Each time he resisted God, tragedy or sorrow of some
kind would come to him. When he yielded and obeyed God, the Lord would bless and
prosper him. Would that we all could learn by what others suffered, rather than
by our own bitter experiences. In his own words, Bro. Branham explains his
thoughts at the time and how he felt..... When I realized the news of my
brother’s death, for a moment I could not move. It was the first death in our
family. I remember wondering about whether or not he was ready to die. As I
turned to look accross the yellow prairie, tears ran down my cheeks. I
remembered how we struggled together when we were lads and how hard it was for
us - not enough food to eat and not enough clothes to wear. BUT , Oh how I
remember that day when mother gave us Pop corn in our school lunch. That was a
real treat. So to be sure that I got my share of it, I went out before noon and
took a good handful before my brother got his share. How I wished I could have
told him that I was the one who took it. Thinking of these things, there on that
prairie, God began to deal with me again - but as usual I kept pushing it to the
back of my mind.

I made ready to return home for the funeral. During the funeral services, Rev.
Mckinney of Port Fulton church preach and exhorted those not right with God to
accept Him as their Lord and Saviour then and there. God began to deal with me
again. Oh, how I grasped my seat, resisting the call of God.

After the funeral, I wanted to go back to the West but mother begged me not to
go. I agreed to stay if I could find work. I did get work with the Public
Service Company of Indiana.

Sickness Strikes

About two years later, while testing meters in the meter shop at the gas works
in New Albany, I was overcome with gas, and for weeks I suffered from it. I went
to all the Doctors I knew. I could get no relief. I suffered with acid stomach
caused by the effects of the gas. Finally, two specialists in Louisville,
Kentucky said it was my appendix and advised surgury. I didn’t understand it
because I had no pain in my side. Still, they insisted on surgury. Agreeing to
have it done, I insisted that they use local anesthetic so I could watch the
operation.

After surgury, when they were taking me from the table to my bed I felt myself
getting weaker and weaker all the time. My heart was hardly beating. I felt
death upon me. My breath was getting shorter. I knew I had reached the end of my
road. Oh, friend, wait until you get there, then you will think of a lot of
things you have done. I knew I had never smoked, drank, or had any unclean
habits, but I also knew I was not ready to meet God.

God Speaks In The Hospital room

It began to grow darker in the hospital room, as though it were a great woods. I
could hear the wind blowing through the leaves, yet it seemed a great way off in
the forest. You have probably heard of a puff of wind blowing the leaves, coming
closer and closer to you. I thought, "Well, this is death coming to take me."
Oh! my soul was to meet God; I tried to pray but could not.

C loser the Wind came, louder and louder. The leaves rustled and all at once I
was gone! It seemed that I was back again a little barefooted boy, standing in
that lane under the same tree. I heard that same Voice that said, "Never drink
or smoke." And the leaves I heard were the same that blew in that tree that day
so many years agao. But this time the Voice said, "I called you and you would
not go." The words were repeated the third time. Then I said, "Lord, if that is
you, let me go back again to earth and I will preach your Gospel from the
housetops and street corners. I’ll tell everyone about it. When this vision had
passed, I found that I felt better. My surgeon, who was still in the building,
came into the room and looked at me with a surprised look. He said, "I am not a
church-going man, my practice is so great, BUT I know God has visited this boy."
After a few day I was allowed to return home. This time I would not forget the
call of God’s warning.

I started out to seek and find God. I went from church to church but found
nothing to satisfy the hunger and thirst in my heart.

One night I became so hungry for God and a real experience that I went out to
the old shed, at the back of the house and tried to pray. I did not know how to
pray, so I just begin to talk to Him as I would to anyone else. All at once
there came a Light in the shed and it formed a cross. A Voice from the cross
spoke to me in a language I could not understand. It then went away. I was
spellbound. When I came to myself again, I prayed, "Lord, if that is you, please
come and talk to me again." I had been reading my Bible since I had returned
from the hospital and I had read in 1st. John 4:1-54, "Beloved, believe not
every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God."

I knew that something had appeared to me, and as I prayed it appeared again.
Then it seemed to me that there had been a thousand pounds lifted from my soul.
I jump up and ran to the house and it seemed as though I were running on air.
Mother asked, "Bill, What has happened to you?" I replied, "I don’t know but I
sure feel good and light." I just couldn’t stay in the house any longer. I had
to get out and run.

I knew then that if God wanted me to preach he would heal me, so I went to a
church that believed in anointing with oil. They anointed me, prayed the pray of
faith, and I was healed instantly. I saw then that the disciples had what a lot
of the ministers do not have today. The Disciples were baptised with the Holy
Ghost, enabling them to heal the sick and do many mighty miracles in the Name of
the Lord Jesus Christ.

After The Lord healed me, I began to pray for the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. One
day about six months later God gave me the desire of my heart. On that day as I
knelt in the woodshed to to pray, a Light came in and formed a Cross. It was
then that something swept over me and I experienced an exqisite feeling I had
never known before. It felt like rain pelting down over my body. I knew then
that God had baptised me with the Holy Ghost. He spoke to me in that Great Light
telling me to preach the Gospel, pray for the sick and He would heal them
regardless of what disease they had. Obedient to His Voice I went forth
preaching and praying for the sick, and the Lord has confirmed His Word with
signs following.

************************ The Pillar Of Fire Appears And preach he did. The fame
of him began to spread throughout Indiana and Kentucky. The element of the
Supernatural followed him in Public and Private life. He began to hold services
in a tent. For a young Baptist preacher, William Branham’s tent meetings were
quite successful, drawing crowds of up to almost 4000 in one service. It was at
the end of one of these successful meetings that God came on the scene and
confirmed the ministry of His Servant and gave him his commission for these last
days. It was June 11, 1933, a hot summer, Sunday afternoon. Again almost 4000
people had gathered to witness a Baptismal service being conducted by the little
Baptist preacher. Some had come only to mock BUT they were about to witness
something they would remember for the rest of their lives. As Brother Branham
was about to baptize the seventeenth person he heard a Voice which Said, "Look
Up!". And at that moment a blazing Star came whirling down out of the heavens
with the sound of rushing wind audible to all. It hovered right above the
Prophet. As many ran in fear, and others knelt in prayer, a Voice spoke from
there, and said, "As John the Baptist was sent for the forerunner of the first
coming of Christ, you have a Message that will bring forth the forerunning of
the Second Coming of Christ." The Prophet stood in fear and trembling before
God.

71-4 HOW.THE.ANGEL.CAME.TO.ME - CHI - FOOT.PRINT.BK - 55-0117 And I went back,
and all the people there, the--the foundry men and all them, the druggist, and
all of them on the bank. I had baptized about two or three hundred that
afternoon. And when they taken me out, pulled me out of the water, the deacons
and so forth went up, they asked me, said, "What did that Light mean?"

71-5 HOW.THE.ANGEL.CAME.TO.ME - CHI - FOOT.PRINT.BK - 55-0117 A big group of
colored people from the--the Gilead Age Baptist Church and the Lone Star Church
down there, and many of those was down there, they begin screaming when they saw
that happen, people fainted.

71-6 HOW.THE.ANGEL.CAME.TO.ME - CHI - FOOT.PRINT.BK - 55-0117 A girl I tried to
get out of a boat there, sitting there with a swimming suit on, a Sunday school
teacher in a church, and I said, "Won’t you get out, Margie?"

She said, "Billy, I don’t have to get out."

71-7 HOW.THE.ANGEL.CAME.TO.ME - CHI - FOOT.PRINT.BK - 55-0117

I said, "That’s right, you don’t have to, but I’d have enough respects for the
Gospel to get out where I’m baptizing."

She said, "I don’t have to."

71-8 HOW.THE.ANGEL.CAME.TO.ME - CHI - FOOT.PRINT.BK - 55-0117 And when she set
there snickering and laughing at me baptizing, ’cause she didn’t believe in
baptizing, so then when the Angel of the Lord come down she pitched forward in
the boat. Today the girl’s in the insane institution. So you just can’t play
with God. See? Now, later on... A beautiful girl, went to drinking later on, was
hit with a bottle, of--of beer bottle, cut all of her face down. Oh, a
horrible-looking person! And there that happened.

Formatedd by


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  CHAPTER 6: 05-A HAPPY MARRIAGE AND A FATEFUL DECISION
========================================================================

Chapter 5 A Happy Marriage and a Fateful Decision

After his conversion and call to the ministry there began a happy period of his
life when God’s blessings rested upon the young man, and everything seemed to go
just right. He began a tent meeting in his own home town in Jeffersonville, and
for a young preacher of twenty-four years of age, just entering the ministry,
the campaign was remarkably successful. It was estimated that as many as three
thousand people attended a single service and large numbers were converted.

Chapter 2 The Pillar Of Fire Appears At the baptismal service which followed the
revival, some 130 persons were baptised in water. It was on June 11, 1933, as
Brother Branham was baptising converts in the Ohio River at the foot of Spring
Street in Jeffersonville, that a strange Light, like a star, suddenly came
whirling down and hung over his head. There were four thousand people sitting on
the bank watching, many of whom where witness of this unexplainable phenomenon.
Some ran for fear; others fell in worship. Many pondered the meaning of this
remarkable occurrence. As it was with Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:3-7), so it was
with Brother Branham, a Voice spoke from the Light and said...

"As John the Baptist was sent to forerun the First Coming of the Lord so you are
sent to forerun his Second Coming..."

Many years later, Bro. Branham had these words carved on the inside of the door
of his home in Tucson, Arizona. As the news of Brother Branham’s unusual
ministry began to spread people came from near and far. In the fall of 19933,
the people who were following the minsitry of William Branham built him a
Tabernacle, which to this day retains the name of "Branham Tabernacle". The next
few years was a fruitful time in which God’s blessing rested upon him as he
increased in favor with God and man.

Marriage

It was during these years that he met a wonderful Christian girl, Hope Brumback.
After some months of courtship the young lady accepted William Branham’s
proposal and the two were married. The following narration is by Bro. Branham
himself as he, in his simple, but always dramatic style, tells the story of his
bashfulness, the proposal by letter, his marriage, and the events that followed:

I was just a little country boy and was real bashfull. Considering how shy I
was, you probably wonder how I ever got married.

I met a fine Christian girl, I thought she was wonderful. My standard for a
woman called for one that didn’t drink or smoke cigarettes. It was hard to find
such a girl then and it is worse than ever now. I loved this fine girl and I
wanted to marry her, but I didn’t have nerve enough to ask her. But I knew I had
to ask her soon - she was too good a woman to waste time with me - she would get
someone else. I only made twenty cents an hour and her daddy made several
hundred dollars a month. Every night when I would see her, I would say, "I’m
going to ask her tonight." And then a great big lump would come up in my throat
and I just couldn’t do it. I didn’t know what to do. You know what I finally
did? I wrote her a letter and asked her.

Well, that letter had a little more romance in it than "dear Miss." I did my
very best to write a good letter, although I’m sure it was poor. So in the
morning I got ready to put it in the mailbox. But then the thought occurred to
me of what would happen if her mother got it. But I was afraid to hand it to
her. Finally I got up enough courage to put it in the mailbox on Monday morning.
Wednesday night I was supposed to meet her and take her to church. All that week
before Wednesday I was really nervous. wednesday night I went to see her. As I
was going over to her place I thought of what would happen if her mother came
out and said, "William Branham!" I knew I could get along alright with the girl
and with her father, but I wasn’t so sure of her mother.

Finally, I went to the door and called for Hope, the girl’s name. She came to
the door and said, "Will you step in?" I said, "If you don’t mind I’ll just sit
on the porch." I made sure that they wouldn’t get me inside. She said, "All
right, I ’ll be ready in a few minutes."

I had an old Model T Ford, but she said, "It’s not far to the church, let’s
walk." This alarmed me and I was sure something had happened. She went on to
church but she didn’t say anything. I was so nervous that night I didn’t hear
what the preacher said at all. she just kept me in suspense!

After we left the church, we started walking down the street - it was a moonlit
night. But still she didn’t say anything. At last I decided that she hadn’t
gotten the letter. This made me feel better. I thought that perhaps the letter
had been misplaced by the postman. Then she turned to me and said, "Billy, I got
your letter." Then I thought, "Oh, what am I going to do now?" Finally I asked,
"Di-di-did you read it?" She said, "Uh-huh." Well, she just kept walking on. I
thought, "Why don’t you say something?" I got more nervous than ever.

We were getting close to her house. But that’s all she said, "Uh-huh." Now we
were at the steps. Then we were almost to the door, and I thought, "Boy, don’t
get me on the porch, ’cause I might not be able to outrun them, so you tell me
now." And so I kept waiting. Then I said, "Did you read it ALL?" And she said,
"Uh-huh". I said, "What did you think about it?" She said, "Billy, I would love
to marry you. I love you!" God bless her soul. Now, she’s in Glory.

Then she reminded me that we’d have to tell her parents. I said, "Honey, listen,
let’s start this our with a fifty-fifty proposition. I will tell your daddy if
you’ll tell your mother." I was rooting the worse part of it off on her, to
begin with. She replied, "All right, but you tell daddy first."

I agreed to speak to her father on Sunday night. When the time came I kept
putting it off and it was getting late. Hope kept looking at me and then at here
daddy. Mrs. Brumback was crocheting and Mr. Brumback was sitting at his desk,
typing away. I thought, "Oh my, what if he says no." I started out the door,
saying, "Well, I guess I’d better go."

I walked toward the door; Hope came behind me. She said, "Aren’t you going to
tell him?" "Well", I said, "I’m trying to, but I don’t know How I’m going to do
it." So she suggested that I call him outside. She walked back and left me
standing there. I said, "Charlie, could I talk you just a minute?" Mrs. Brumback
looked up! She looked at Charlie; She looked at Hope and then to me. Charlie
went with me out on the porch.

I said, "Sure is a pretty night, isn’t it?" Charlie said, "Yes, it is." I said,
"I’ve been working so hard, even my hands is getting calluses on them."

He said, "You can have her, Bill."

Oh, my! I said, "You really mean it Charlie?" He said, "Yes, Bill, I mean it. I
would rather that you have her than anyone that I know because I know you’ll be
good to her, and you will love her."

I said, "Thank You, Charlie, I sure will do that." I don’t know how Hope got by
with her mother but we got married. I don’t believe there was any place on earth
that was any happier than our little home. It was wonderful. We didn’t have much
furniture in that house - a folding bed, an old rug and breakfast set, old stove
that I bought from a junk dealer and put new grates in it. But, friends, it was
HOME, and I would rather live in a shack and have favor with God than live in
the best houses there is.

Everything went lovely. My wife saved her pennies to get herself a gingham
dress. I felt so good when I would do something for her. After two years a
little boy came into our home - little Billy Paul. When I first heard him cry in
the hospital I seemed to know that the baby was a boy, and I gave him back to
God before I even saw him. A Turning Point In His Ministry

Bro Branham had decided to take a fishing trip. He journeyed up to Lake Pawpaw
in Michigan for a few days. When his money begin to run our he had to start back
towards home. On His way back as He crossed the Mishawaka River he saw a great
number of people gathering for a meeting. Wondering what kind of people they
were, he decided to go into the meeting. That is where Bro. Branham first became
acquainted with Pentecost. With the open vision ministry that he had, he knew
that ’everybody was genuine". Inspite of a few False ’Anointed Ones’ in the
camp, he was still interested in what these Pentecostal had. This was a
Pentecostal Convention. They were quite demonstrative, and all this was a little
new to the Man Sent From God. The people sang, praised the Lord and clapped
their hands with joy, as they worshipped the God of their Salvation. Then the
Preacher got up and began to preach on the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. The longer
he preached the more convinced Bro. Branham became that maybe there was
something to this. He decided to stay until the following day. His decision to
stay would indeed bring a ’turning point’ in his own ministry, but it would also
lead to heartbreak because of a ’fateful decision’ of disobedience, made under
pressure from others. Not having money for a hotel room, He went out in the
country and parked in a cornfield that night and slept in his old car. For
breakfast the next morning he had milk and stale rolls, but that didn’t matter
because his heart and mind was hungering for more of what he was hearing in this
Pentecostal convention.

Next morning I got up early and returned to the church. By the time he got
there, quite a number of people had already gathered for morning worship.

During the Evening service there were a large number of preachers sitting on the
platform. The leader said, "We haven’t time to hear you all preach so we are
going to ask each one just to get up and tell us your name." Bro. Branham stood
up, identified himself as William Branham, Evangelist, Jeffersonville, Indiana:
He sat downing, not knowing what awaited him the next day. From this point we’ll
let Bro. Branham, in his own words relate what happened:

***************************** The following afternoon, they had an old colored
man get up and preach. He was rather decrepit and I was a little surprised to
see them choose such a fellow to preach before that great congregation. He
preached from the text, "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the
earth, when the morning stars sang together." Well, that old fellow picked up
about ten million years before the world was ever formed. He just about covered
everything in heaven, came down the horizontal rainbow and preached on
everything on earth up till the Second Coming of Christ. By the time he had
finished he was as spry as a young man. In fact he said, as he went down from
the platform, "You haven’t got room enough for me to preach." I realized that
God had done something for that man that He hadn’t done for me. When he started
preaching I was sorry for him, but when he got through I was sorry for myself.
These people had something that I didn’t have, and I wanted it. That night I
went out in the cornfield again and slept. In the morning, since I supposed
nobody knew me, I decided that I would put on an old pair of seersucker
trousers. My other pair had gotten rather creased from using them as a pillow.
This was the last day that I could stay as I only had enough money left to buy
gas to go home. I went back to church and when I arrived the people were already
singing and shouting the praises of God. I went into the service hungering for
more of God. I wanted the Baptism of the Holy Ghost if God would give it to me.

Without Warning!

He Is Asked To Preach At The Convention The minister in charge got up and said,
"We have just had the testimony service led by the youngest preacher here. The
next youngest minister is William Branham of Jeffersonville." He said, "If he’s
in the building, would Rev. Branham please come forward to bring the Message
this morning." I was almost in a state of shock. I looked down and saw my
seersucker trousers. So I just sat real still. In fact, I had never seen
microphone or a public address system before, and I certainly, didn’t want to
get up there and preach before all those powerful preachers.

They called again, "Does anyone know the whereabouts of Rev. Branham?" But I
only crouched down in my seat lower than before. The call was repeated again.
The colored man sitting beside me turned around and said, "Do you know who he
is?" I couldn’t tell a lie, so I said, "Yes-sir, I know him." He said, "Go get
him." I said, "Listen, I’m Brother Branham, but I have on these seersucker
trousers and I can’t get up on that platform." But the colored man said, "These
people don’t care how you are dressed. They care about what’s in your heart."
Well I said, "Please don’t say anything about it." But the colored man didn’t
wait any longer. He shouted out, "There he is! There he is!" My heart Sank; I
didn’t know what to do. But the night before out in the cornfield I had prayed,
"Lord, if these are the people that I have always wanted to find, that seem so
happy and free, you give me favor before them."

Well, the Lord gave me favor with them, but I hated to go up before the crowd in
the seersucker trousers. But everyone was looking at me and I had to do
something. So I went on up to the platform. My face was red, and as I turned
around I saw the microphones and I thought to myself, "What are those things?" I
prayed, "Lord, if You ever helped anybody, help me now." I opened the Bible and
my eyes fell on the verse, "The rich man opened up his eyes in hell." And I
preached on the text, "And then he cried." "There were no Christians there, and
then he cried. There was no church there, and he cried. There were no flowers
there, and he cried. There was no God there, and he cried." Then I cried; and
then the people cried. I had been a rather formal preacher, but as I preached
something got hold of me and the power of God came down upon the congregation.

***************************** Invitations To Conduct Revivals

After the service was over, Bro. Branham walked outside. One preacher after
another came up to him with invitations to hold revival meetings in their
areas.They were wanting him to come to Texas, Florida and all around. He got a
piece of paper and took down names and addresses, and in a few minutes he had
enough revivals lined up to last me throughout the year. Well, he was one happy
man. He jumped into his little model ’T" Ford and down through Indiana he went.
When he reached home, he began to tell his wife, Hope, about his experiences at
the Convention. He said, "I have met the happiest bunch of people I ever met in
my life. They are really happy, and they are not ashamed of their religion." He
told her how it had affected him and his ministry. Then he showed her the
invitations and said, "Will you go with me?" She said, "Honey, I have promised
to go with you anywhere until death separates us." May God bless her loyal
heart.

Informing his mother of his intentions, she wholeheartedly gave him her
blessing. But not all would bestow their blessing on him. His mother-in-law
vehemently opposed it, stating that she wasn’t about to let her daughter be
dragged into such "trash" as that. In spite of her mother’s strong opposition,
Hope’s desire was to go with her husband. It was at this point that Bro. Branham
made a decision. The results of that decision would follow him all the days of
his life. He was later to say that the decision he made was the greatest mistake
of his entire life. We’ll once again let Brother Branham tell you in his own
words what happened: A Fateful Decision And friends, what I say now, let it be
for your education. Let my mistakes result in your blessing. Friends and
relatives warned me against accepting what I knew was God’s call to me. I
allowed their attitudes to influence me. Some said that the people I had met at
the convention were trashy people. I later found out, and I say it reverently,
that what was called "trash," was the "cream of the crop."

I was told that my wife would not get enough to eat, that she would eat one day
and starve the next. Others told me that it was my job to stay there and look
after the work in Jeffersonville. I listened to them and finally decided not to
leave. Little did either I or my friends realize then that in eight months the
Ohio River would overflow its banks and my family would be caught in the tragedy
of the awful flood.

It was at this time that the anointing of God which had come upon me, now left
me. It never really returned until five years later. My church, up until that
time had been a growing prosperous church, but now it began to drop off.
Everything went wrong. With my church going down, I didn’t know what to do. Then
began the dark period of my life. In 1937 the Ohio River flooded it banks, and
was responsible for the death of so many people, including two of those that
were the dearest to me in all the world.

***************************** When William Branham prophesied of the 1937 Ohio
River Flood, little did he realize the direct impact it would have on him and
his family. Six months before it happened he told his church that, in a vision,
He saw an Angel come down from heaven, place a measuring rod on Spring Street,
in Jeffersonville. The measure on the rod read 22 feet. Some in the congregation
made light of it. But it did come to pass with tragic results.


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 7: 06-THE GREAT OHIO FLOOD OF 1937
========================================================================

Chapter 6 The Great Ohio Flood Of 1937 The winter of 1937 was especially severe
over the entire nation. Unusual snows fell in the Northwest and blanketed the
country for many days. But it was in the East that tragedy really struck. Heavy
and protracted rains fell steadily for weeks, feeding the many tributaries that
flow into the great Ohio River which drains the large area west of the
Appalachians.

Gradually the level of the river passed the flood stage. Large populations
living on the banks of the Ohio noted this with no little apprehension and
alarm, yet they saw no sign of abatement in the flood of water that sought
outlet down the valley. Day by day the waters continued to rise. Dikes and
levees were strengthened, but the people knew that a break-through need occur at
only one point to allow the water to fan out and flood the vast areas of
farmland and even the cities that had been built along the river. On the north
bank of the Ohio River, opposite Louisville, Kentucky, is the city of
Jeffersonville, Indiana. Of all who lived in the city, to none perhaps did the
ominous threat of a flood appear at a more inopportune time, than to William
Branham. His wife had contracted a serious lung infection while shopping across
the river at Louisville. Because of this circumstance, his whole attention and
interest was centered on her recovery. But now news reached them, as well as the
other inhabitants of the town, that the crest of the flood was slowly moving
downstream, and to all appearances the softened levees could not take much more.
It appeared that Jeffersonville was doomed; still many of the people stayed on.

Remember, it was six months previous that William Branham had prophesied to his
Church congregation that he saw a Angel come down from heaven with a large
measuring rod and measured 22 feet of water on Spring street in Jeffersonville.
Now the reality of his prophecy was dawning - no doubt those who laughed at the
prophecy, now watched in fear as the flood waters began to rise. As night fell,
William Branham was on duty, working with the rescue squad as they patrolled the
angry waters of the rising river. At midnight their worst fears were realized.
The whistles began to blow, warning everyone to leave the city. Sirens at the
fire stations screamed out into the night. The Branham family, and thousands of
others were forced to flee for their lives. The wife, being seriously ill and in
no condition to be taken out into the storm, had to be removed to a temporary
hospital set up by the government, which was located on higher ground. The
exposure resulted in both of their babies becoming seriously ill with pneumonia.
The father took them to the hospital also, where they were taken care of on
hastily improvised beds, where scores of other victims were awaiting the
attention of the overworked staff. It was a terribly poor place for a hospital,
and to make matters worse the doors kept swinging back and forth; people were
rushing in and out, crying hysterically, their homes having been swept away in
the strong current.

Much as he wanted to stay by his loved ones, the young minister realized that he
had a responsibility to go back and assist the rescue squad which had been
working frantically night and day. Tragedy was being enacted at many points as
the waters relentlessly poured through the city and out over the countryside.

He was told to go to a certain street where the water had shaken the houses from
their foundations. Maneuvering his boat down through the raging waters of this
area, the young minister’s attention was diverted to a pitiful scene. A mother
and her children, standing on the upstairs porch of a house, were waving
frantically, and calling to him for help. At this dramatic moment in the
narrative, we shall let Brother Branham describe in his own words the things
which happened:

****************************

I heard someone screaming, and looking up, saw a mother with her children
standing on the upstairs porch of a teetering house, the big waves dashing
against it. I had lived on the river practically all my life, and I thought
perhaps I could help rescue the woman, even if it meant risking my own life for
her and her little children, so I started toward the house. After I finally got
them all into the boat, the lady almost fainted... She kept moaning something
about her baby and I thought maybe she had left her baby in the house. So after
I had gotten them safely on high ground, I tried to go back. But it was too
late; the water was coming too fast now, and I was caught in the current.

Oh, I’ll never forget how I felt then. So many things passed through my mind;
how I tried to live a good Christian life, preach the word, do the best I knew
how, but it seemed that everything was against me now. When I finally got my
boat under control and landed it, I tried to make my way to the government
hospital (it had been four hours since I had left), but upon arriving found that
the water had broken in behind there and all the people had to be evacuated. I
didn’t know where my wife was and no one could tell me. Oh, how sad I was in
that hour. I kept inquiring and was finally told by an officer that they had
been sent out on a train that was going toward Charlestown, a city about 12
miles above Jeffersonville, where I rushed quickly to see if I could get to
them. A little creek just above us had overflowed its banks, making about five
miles of swift rushing water between there and Charlestown; washing the farmers’
homes away, and I knew that the train would have to go right through this
territory. I had no way of knowing whether it had gotten through before the
water broke or whether it had been washed off the track... For quite some time I
was able to learn nothing, but then I heard that the train made it through. I
got a speedboat and tried to go against the waters, but it was just too much.
The water pinned me in and I was marooned in a place called Fort Fulton with
several friends for almost two weeks. Our food supply was very low and I was
still in the dark about my wife and babies. As soon as the waters went down
enough for me to get my truck through, I went out to look for her. I didn’t know
whether my wife, babies, mother and brother were dead or alive. There God kept
talking to my heart, and I could just imagine what it must be for those that
have no hope in such an hour. The next day I crossed the waters and began my
search in Charlestown. No one there knew anything about a train coming in, or
had heard of anyone by the name of Branham. Heartsick and burdened, I began
walking down the street, not knowing what to do or where to go. It was then that
an old friend, Mr. Hay, walked up to me. He threw his arms around me and trying
to encourage me, he said, "Billy, we’ll find them somewhere!"

I went down to the office of the train dispatcher and inquired when the train
had come through, and where it had gone; but he was no help either. It had been
two weeks before, and there had been more and more washouts, and he thought it
went farther up in Indiana somewhere. An engineer standing nearby spoke up and
said, "Oh, I remember that case. A mother with two little sick babies. We put
them off at Columbus." He said, "Young man, you can’t possibly get up there, as
the waters have all trains cut off." But I was going to find her anyway. I just
started walking down the road, crying, with my hat in my hands. Oh, my! This
brings back vivid memories again to think of it. But i hadn’t been walking long
when a car pulled up beside me, and the voice of a good friend exclaimed, "Billy
Branham! Get in. I believe you are looking for your wife and babies!" I
answered, "Yes." He said, "They’re at Columbus in the hospital. Your wife’s
nearly dead.

"Is there any way we can get there?" I inquired frantically.

He answered, "I can take you there; I have found a way through some back lanes,
by-passing the water." We got to Columbus that night. His Wife Is Escorted Into
Glory

I rushed down to the Baptist Church, which was being used for a hospital,
screaming her name. I found her. Oh, my! She was almost gone! I asked about the
babies; they were both very low, being kept at my mother-in-law’s home. I knelt
down by the side of the cot where Hope was lying. Dark eyes, expressive of
intense suffering, looked up at me as I took her pale, thin hand in mine and
prayed the best I knew how. But seemingly to no effect; there was no answer
somehow. She got worse. An intern asked me, "Aren’t you a friend of Dr. Sam
Adair?" I said, "Yes." Turning to look at me he said, "I must tell you,
Reverend; your wife is going." I was just a young man - I pleaded, "Surely not."
With a sad look on his face he said, "Yes", and turned away. Having given up all
hope of survival for my wife, Dr. Adair gave me permission to take Hope and the
babies home. I returned to the house, and tried to clean it up as best as I
could from the results of the flood. My heart was heavy but I tried to make the
place as comfortable as possible for them. I fought a hard battle to save them.
No specialist could do anything for them... It was just useless; they were too
far gone. But I’m sure my wife didn’t know this at the time.

She was brave all the way through. We returned her to the hospital so she could
get the right kind of treatment. Nothing would do any good. We took an X-ray and
found tuberculosis creeping deeper and deeper into her lungs.

One day they called me from work... (I was working, trying to get out of debt. I
had to go hundreds of dollars into debt.)... I was told, "If you want to see
your wife alive, you’d better come now!" I got into the car and rushed to the
city as fast as I could. I rushed upstairs and down the hall, and the first
person I saw was my little friend, Dr. Adair. We had been just like brothers,
all our lives. I knew when I looked at him that he had bad news. He said, "I’m
afraid she’s gone now." He covered his face and went into the little anteroom. I
struggled to hold myself together; I pleaded, "Come, go in with me, Doc." "I
can’t," he answered, "she was just like a sister to me. I can’t go back in
there, Bill."

I started in alone, and he called a nurse to go in with me When I saw her I
felt, too, that she was gone. The sheet was pulled up over her face. I pulled
the sheet back. She was only a skeleton of her former self... so thin and
pale... Oh, my! I took her in my arms and began to shake her. I cried, "Honey,
answer me!... God, please let her speak to me once more." She was already
crossing over the line... But suddenly she turned to look back at me. She opened
those big, lovely, soft brown eyes. She started to raise her arms to receive me,
but she was too weak; so I got down closer to her. I knew she wanted to tell me
something. Friends, let tell you a little of what she told me. It will be in my
memory until the day I meet her.

She said, "I was almost home. Why did you call me? I was being escorted Home by
Heavenly Beings" I told her I didn’t know I interrupted anything. She began
telling me about the paradise I had called her from, how it looked... lovely
trees and flowers, birds singing, not a pain in her body. For a moment I thought
that perhaps I shouldn’t have called her... (But, bless her heart... she’s been
enjoying that place a long time now.) She revived for a few moments and told me
how she was being taken home by some Angelic Beings. She heard me way off in the
distance calling. Friends, there is a land beyond the river, somewhere in the
far beyond. Maybe millions of light years away, but it’s there... and we’re
traveling that way. She described how beautiful it was. She said, "Honey, you’ve
preached of it, you’ve talked of it, but you can’t know how glorious it is." She
wanted so much to go back.

She studied a moment and then said, "There are two or three things I want you to
know." Weakly whispering she told me of the time that she had asked me to buy
some chiffon stockings for her. I had bought rayon - I didn’t know the
difference. Not wanting to embarass me, she gave them to my mother and bought
the right kind herself. In her dying hour she wanted to make it right. Her life
was slowly ebbing away, but there were things that she just want to tell me. She
said, "You remember the rifle you wanted to buy in Louisville and we couldn’t
afford it?" (How well I remembered... I’ve always been a hunter, and when I saw
that particular rifle I thought how much I would like to have it.) "Yes," I
said, trying to keep the tears out of her sight. Still whispering she said,
"I’ve been saving my nickels and dimes to buy it for you. Its just about over
for me, but when you get home you’ll find the money lying under a paper on top
of the old sideboard."

You’ll never know how I felt when I found that six or seven dollars she had been
putting back all that time for that rifle. I bought it and still have it, and
intend to keep it as long as I can, and then give it to my little boy. Her Last
Words

"Don’t think I’m beside myself", she whispered. "Billy", she said, "Do you know
where we made out mistake?" Kneeling down beside her I said, "Yes, Sweetheart, I
do."

She said, "We should have never listened to Mama. Them people were right.
Promise me that you’ll go to them people and raise my children like that." Then
she nearly broke my heart when she said, "Promise me that you’ll not stay
single. Marry some good, Christian girl to raise my children." Turning to the
nurse she said, "I hope you will have as good a husband as I have had." Looking
back to me she said, "Bill, God is going to use you."

I said, "Darling. when you get up to the New Jerusalem... look for the east side
of the gate and start calling my name... When you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob,
Paul and Stephen and all of them coming up, I’ll be there, Darling." She pulled
me down to her and kissed me good-bye... Then she went to be with God.

Friends, let these things be for your education. Let my mistakes result in your
blessing.


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 8: 07-DESPAIR THEN A VISIT TO HEAVEN
========================================================================

Chapter 7 Despair Then A Visit To Heaven ***** Death Strikes Again *****

Concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, it was written that "Though He were a Son, yet
learned He obedience by the things which He suffered. And being made perfect He
became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him." (Hebrews
5:8-9). Even so it was with God’s Servant and Prophet to this Age - He would
learn obedience through the things which he suffered. When God was finish with
him, that little bundle of clay called William Branham would be ready for The
Master’s Hands, to be conformed to His will. From the lips of his dying, young
wife, he was reminded of his disobedience in refusing to go forth and "Do the
work of an Evangelist, and make full proof of the ministry." Now, God had taken
from him ’the desire of his eyes’ but once more the Lord would allow death to
knock at his door.

Again we ask Brother Branham continue his narration of the story.....

****************************

After Hope had passed away, I started home to see about the babies. How
desperately I sought some peace of mind. I went to my mother’s... I went to our
house, Hope’s and mine, everywhere, nothing satisfied me. I couldn’t rest. Many
of you people know what I mean. That night I finally went to bed and tried to
sleep. Sometime during the night somebody knocked on the door. A voice called
out in the darkness, "Billy, your baby is dying"

I’ll never forget that night when I heard those words. I thought, "Oh, no! Not
my baby!" As if it weren’t enough that I had lost my wife that day, the friend
had come with the news that my baby girl was dying. When we got into his little
pickup truck to go to the baby, I thought life was at its very end. How could
these things be! When we arrived at my mother-in-law’s house, we found the baby
very near death. Dr. Sam Adair had come to the home and examined her. He told me
that there was nothing that could be done that he knew of, but we rushed her to
the hospital anyway. She had spinal meningitis which she had contracted from her
mother. There was no chance at all for her ever to be well. They moved her to an
isolated area in the basement of the hospital. I was told that she would be dead
in a matter of hours. I can’t express with human lips how that tore me up.

Dr. Adair told me that I shouldn’t go near her because I might carry the germ to
my little boy, Billy Paul. But I just couldn’t stand it any longer. Thinking of
her mother laying in the undertaker’s establishment, I had to see my baby. I
tell you, friends, the way of the transgressor is hard. When the Doctor left the
room I went down into the basement. I saw the little darling lying there. When I
think of it now it just breaks my heart. As I walked in I looked at her and she
tried to look at me. The flies was in her eyes. She was about eight months old,
just big enough to be plump and sweet. The poor little thing had never come out
of the spasm the meningitis had caused. One of her legs was drawn up and one of
her arms was drawing. Her little leg moved up and down. Oh! Such a pitiful
sight.

There laid my little darling, dying. I tried to talk to her. It was tragic - the
agony was so great that one of them pretty, little blue eyes had crossed. It
seemed as if my heart was breaking. I knelt down beside her and tried to pray. I
said, "Lord, what have I done? Haven’t I preached the Gospel on the Street
corners? Don’t hold it against me Lord. I never called them people "trash".
Forgive me, Lord. Don’t take my baby." And while I was praying, it looked like a
big black sheet came down. I knew then that He had refused me. Now, there was
the hardest and most treacherous time of my life. I knew I had made a bad
mistake in not turning loose of everything and going out into evangelistic work.
I believe that the gift was ready to be manifested then, but I had neglected
going. But that dark curtain hung between and my baby was sinking. I raised up
to look at her and said, "Sharon, don’t you know daddy?" Truly I believe she
knew I was there. It looked like she was trying to wave her little hand and her
lips were quivering as though she were going to cry. You that have children know
how I felt in that hour. When God refused to talk to me then the Devil began to
reason with me in my mind, trying cause me to doubt the Love and Goodness of
God. He pointed to a dead wife and a dying child, hoping to turn me aside from
serving God. But then, down on the inside, he stuck that Seed of Eternal Life.
Faith took over. I rasied up and said, "Lord, you gave her to me and now you’re
taking her away from me, blessed be the Name of the Lord! If you take even me, I
will still love you."

I prayed and laid hands upon her. But the angels came a little while later and
took the little darling to be with her mother. I returned home, desolate and
weary. Two days later we buried her in her mother’s arms. I remember standing
heartbroken and in despair at the graveside. It was unendurable. Somehow the
leaves blowing on the trees reminded me of the old song:

There is a land beyond the river that they call the sweet forever, And we only
reach that shore by faith’s decree. One by one we reach the portal, there to
dwell with the immortals, When they ring those golden bells for you and me.

I know that some day the grave shall burst open, because there is an empty tomb
in Jerusalem. I know that some day it shall be opened also because they believed
in Jesus Christ their resurrected Redeemer. The Depths Of Despair

Then A Visit To Heaven

I returned to work, trying to do all I could to pay off the big bills and debts
I owed. I’ll never forget one morning when I was reading a pole meter on highway
150 near New Albany. I was singing to myself, "On a hill far away stood an old
rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame." The sun was shining brightly
that morning and the pole cast a shadow on a hill in front of me. It was at such
an angle that the crossbar and my own body hanging by its safety belt also
formed the shadow. There was the cross all over again!

Despondent And Despairing Over Death Of Loved Ones

I wanted so much to go and be with the family in the land beyond this river of
life. Mr life on earth held nothing for me anymore. All that I had to live for
was in the next world; without them my broken heart could not find the courage
to keep up the struggle. But I know now that in all I went through, God was
protecting ’His Gift’ - not me, His Gift. He had a plan and it must be worked
out. I am sure it took every tragedy and deep sorrow that I had to go through to
bring me to the place where He could use me. But at that moment, at the top of
that pole, my grief was overwhelming. I got beside myself. I pulled off my
rubber glove and and I said, "Lord, I hate to do this. I’m a coward." Reaching
out to grab that twenty-three hundred volts power line, I said, "Sharon, honey,
daddy will be with you in just a little while." Then something happened. When I
come to myself, I was sitting on the ground, with my hands up to my face,
crying. It was God’s Grace. It was God protecting His gift - It was ordained to
be manifested in this Age.

Sitting there on the ground, Perspiration was breaking out all over me; I was
trembling. I just took off my spurs, quit and went home. I went into the house,
desperately hoping for something that would take my mind off my grief. But what
could an empty house do?... a house with everything still fixed just as she had
left it. Everything I looked at reminded me of her. As I walked despondently
around the house, my eyes fell on some mail that had come in. On one envelope I
read these words: "Miss Sharon Rose Branham." My heart broke afresh. It was a
letter from the bank and a small check that had been sent to my baby... Her
little Christmas savings had been returned; I think it amounted to about $1.80.
Oh my! There it was, all over again. I started crying and knelt down on the
floor. I was so blue; everything seemed too hard to bear. While kneeling there,
I thought, "Lord, if you don’t help me, I don’t know what I’ll do!" Being a game
warden, I always carried a pistol with me while on duty. I reached over to the
side where I had laid it down and pulled the pistol out of it’s holster. I said,
"Lord, I can’t go this anymore, I’m dying. I’m so tormented." I pulled the
hammer back on the gun, put it up to my head, kneeling there on that cot in that
dark room. I said, "Our Father Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy
Kingdom come, Thine will be done," and I squeezed that trigger as hard as I
could, I said, "on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread."
But the gun wouldn’t go off! And I thought, "O God, are You just tearing me to
pieces? What have I done? You won’t even let me die." And I throwed the gun
down, and it went off and shot through the room. And I said, "God, why can’t I
die and get out of it? I just can’t go no farther. You’ve got to do something to
me." And I fell over and started crying on my little, old dirty bunk there.

A>nd I must have went to sleep. I don’t know whether I was asleep or what
happened. A Visit To Heaven In this experience I thought I was going down along
through the prairie, singing that song, "There’s a wheel on the wagon is broken,
sign on the ranch, `For Sale.’" And as I went along, I noticed an old covered
wagon, like an old prairie schooner, and the wheel was broke. Course, that
represented my broken family. And as I got close, I looked, and there stood a
real pretty, young girl, about twenty years old, white flowing hair and blue
eyes, dressed in white.

I looked over at her, I said, "How do you do?" Went on. She said, "Hello, Dad."
And I turned back, I said, "Dad? Why," I said, "how, Miss, can I be your daddy
when you’re as old as I am?"

She said, "Daddy, you just don’t know where you’re at." And I said, "What do you
mean?"

She said, "This is Heaven." Said, "On earth I was your little Sharon."

"Why," I said, "honey, you was just a little baby."

She Said, "Daddy, little babies are not little babies here, they’re immortal.
They never get old or never grow."

She said, "Mama’s waiting for you up at our new home." And I said, "New home?"
Branhams are vagabonds, they don’t have homes."

She said, "But you got one up here, Daddy."

Then she said, "Mother wants to see you." And I turned and looked, and there was
great big palaces, and the Glory of God coming up around them. And I heard an
Angelic choir singing, "My Home, sweet Home." I started up a long steps, running
just as hard as I could. And when I got to the door, there she stood, a white
garment on, that black hair, long, holding down her back. She raised out her
arms, as she always did when I come home tired from work or something. I caught
her by the hands, and I said, "Honey, I seen Sharon down there." I said, "She
made a pretty girl, didn’t she?"

She said, "Yes, Bill."

Then she put her arms around my shoulders and started patting me. She said,
"Stop worrying about me and Sharon. We are better off than you are."

I said, "Honey, I can’t help it. I’ve been so lonesome for you and for Sharon,
and Billy cries all the time for you." I said, "I don’t know what to do with
him."

She said, "It’ll be all right, Bill. Now don’t worry about us no more. Will you
promise me?"

Then she asked me to come in a sit down. She directed me to a certain chair. I
remember I tried to buy a chair one time. We just had them old common
wooden-bottom chairs for the breakfast set - the only chairs we had. And we
could buy one of these chairs that you let back in the back, It was a certain
kind of an easy-rest chair. And it cost seventeen dollars, and you could pay
three dollars down and a dollar a week. And we got one. And, oh, when I’d come
in after working all day, and preaching till midnight around the streets and
wherever I could preach, I would sit in that chair. And one day I got behind on
my payments. We couldn’t make it, and it got day after day, and finally one day
they come and got my chair and took it back. That night, I never will forget,
she had me a cherry pie baked. Poor little old thing, she knowed I was going to
be disappointed. And after supper I said, "What’s you so good about tonight,
honey?" And she started crying. I knowed there was something wrong. I had an
idea ’cause they had already sent me a notice they was coming to get it. And we
couldn’t make that dollar payment a week. We couldn’t, just couldn’t afford it.
She put her arms around me, and I went to the door and my chair was gone.

She told me up There, she said, "You remember that chair, Bill?" And I said,
"Yes, honey, I remember."

She said, "Well, they won’t take this one, this one’s paid for." Then She said,
"Sit down just a minute, I want to talk to you." And she said, "Promise me,
Billy, promise me that you won’t worry anymore. You’re going back now." But
Promise me you won’t worry." And just then I come to myself - it was dark in the
room. I looked around, and I felt her arm around me. I said, "Hope, are you here
in the room?"

She started patting me. She said, "You going to make me that promise, Bill?
Promise me you won’t worry no more." I said, "I promise you."

She patted me two or three times, and then she was gone. I jumped up and turned
on the light, looked everywhere, she was gone. But she just gone out of the
room. She isn’t gone, she’s still living. She was a Christian.

Since that time God has given me the strength to carry on. I continued to
preached and work at different jobs. Then in 1946, after severe trials and
testings, the Lord graciously came on the scene and commissioned me to take a
Message of Divine Healing to the world. For all He has done for me I humbly
thank Him.


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 9: 08-REMARKABLE NCIDENTS
========================================================================

Chapter 8 REMARKABLE INCIDENTS PRECEDING ANGEL’S VISIT The man William Branham
had passed through the refining fire and the metal was now ready for the Masters
use. The time was now drawing near when God was to reveal Himself to William
Branham in a manner that would not only radically affect his own ministry, but
the result of it was to have a profound effect upon the Christian world.

God was about getting him ready to spearhead one of the greatest revivals the
world had ever seen. By the Grace and Call of God, He Became A Giant in the
Ministry of Divine Healing. Yet, His ministry was More Than Spiritual Gifts for
physical healing.

It would be a sign that would be spoken against by some, but to other multiplied
thousands it would be a cause of praise and thanksgiving to God, and to some it
was to provide an inspiration that would cause a hundred-fold increase in their
ministry. Such was the Anointing upon God’s Servant and Prophet, William Branham
The supernatural became a constant everyday thing with this man. Even Devils and
Demons recoginized this God-ordained and God-anointed Ministry. It is a notable
fact in the Biblical narrative that while have been those who have been
specially commissioned of God, demons oddly enough have often given this
recognition without delay. The first miracle involved in the ministry of Christ,
as recorded in the book of Mark, concerns an odd testimony, coming as it does
from an evil spirit.

Jesus had returned to the City of Nazareth to preach the Gospel to those of his
home town. The people of that city, however, far from recognizing the identity
of the remarkable Person Who was in their midst, strongly resented His apparent
change of vocation from a carpenter to that of a Prophet. But the recognition
that they withheld, was quickly acknowledged by the demon that possessed the man
who was in their synagogue, and who cried out in the presence of Christ, "I know
thee who thou art, thou Holy One of God." Similarly, the legion of demons in the
maniac of Gadara, as He drew near, cried with a loud voice, "What have I to do
with thee, Jesus, thou son of the Most High God?"

Again the Apostle Paul, as he began his missionary work in Europe, in the City
of Philippi, instead of being accorded a prophet’s welcome, was taken by rough
hands and thrust into the inner stocks of a prison. But the spirit of divination
in a little girl was quick to discern who Paul and Silas were, and it cried out
saying, "These men are servants of the Most High God, which show unto us the way
of salvation." But what was the testimony of the religious leaders? They
condemned him as a spreader of ’false doctrine’ - a madman. They failed to
realize that there was a change in despensations "from Law to Grace" - a NEW
Message was coming forth. So is it today, the religious people - not spiritual
people, but religious people - fail to recognize that we’re changing
despensations, from Grace to Judgment - A NEW Message has come forth to give
Rapturing Faith. The old denominational tradition will never meet the need of
the hour. to mention but a few of them. Some others are related in the visions
recorded in the latter part of this book. However, one incident that occurred
was of such an unusual nature, and because mention has been made of it by
Brother Branham on occasions, we shall take note of it at this time. When we
consider Bible History, it is not surprising then that the gift which had been
destined for the ministry of William Branham, should be recognized by spirits of
divination even before he fully understood the purpose of the gift himself. On
one occasion as he passed by an astrologist, the woman upon seeing him, motioned
him to come over to her, as she wished to speak to him. When he came near she
said, "Say, do you know that you were born under a sign and have a gift from
God?" Other experiences of such a nature occurred and disturbed him for a time,
but later he understood. As neither Christ nor Paul accepted nor valued the
testimony of demons, and rather commanded them to hold their peace, so Brother
Branham, of course, does not endorse in any sense the so-called pseudo sciences
of astrology or fortune-telling of any kind, even though on occasions their
testimony confirms the gift of God. The Lord has plenty of ways of
substantiating and vindicating the ministries of his servants without depending
on the evidence given by demons. And, of course, the Scriptures speak strictly
against the children of God consulting such sources. (Isaiah 47:13-14) But it’s
sad to think that Devils and Demons would rise in judgment against religious
leaders and condemn them for their unbelief.

It was in Little Rock, Arkansas that a man had brought his wife to Bro. Branham,
asking him to pray for her deliverance. She was insane and at times violent.
They had brought her from an institution and took her into the basement of the
church. Four men came with her husband to help control her. Before arriving at
the church where Brother Branham was preaching she kicked a window out of the
car.

Going down into the basement, the Prophet of God found a heavy set woman, young,
with her hands and feet sticking right up. She hadn’t been on her feet in two
years. Her arms and legs were bleeding. The young husband explained to Bro.
Branham that two years previous, immediately after the birth of her first child,
she lost her mind. When Bro. Branham went near to pray for her she lashed out at
him - he lost his balance and fell to the floor. Quickly, he jumped up and moved
to the side. She followed him, crawling on her back like a serpent. She hit her
head against a bench and tore the flesh off. Picking up a stick which she had
broken from the bench she threw it at her husband and Bro. Branham.

She crawled right up, and said, "William Branham, you have nothing to do with
me." And her husband looked over and said, "Why, she don’t even know who she is
herself. She don’t know you." Brother Branham said, "That’s not her; that’s the
devil. That’s that devil." Looking toward the woman, he prayed this prayer:
"Satan, you realize and do know that I have no power over you, but my Lord does,
for He triumphed over you at Calvary. And by a Divine gift given to me by an
Angel, which told me to get the people to be sincere and nothing would stand
before the prayer. In the Name of Jesus Christ come out of her."

Nothing happened. Her husband standing there in old overalls, threw his arm
around Bro. Branham’s neck and said, "What must I do with her, Brother Branham?"
He instructed the man to take her back to the institution and he believed she
would get well. On the road back that night, they never had one bit of trouble
with her. The next morning when the, they come in to get her, she was setting up
and spoke to the matron. And the second day she was dismissed from the hospital,
perfectly normal and well. At another time Brother Branham was in a large city
for three nights of services. The first one to be prayed for was a small child,
whose feet had been drawn up by polio, causing him to have to walk on his toes.
Suddenly it seemed as if a bright light had been turned on him. Evangelist T. L.
Osborn, who was present at this meeting, thought that a worker back stage had
turned a spotlight on Brother Branham, but looking up they discovered it was the
Pillar of Fire casting it’s Light over Brother Branham and the child.

Bro. Branham himself thought someone had turned on a spotlight. He opened his
eyes and looked up, and lo, a Star of Light stood before him. Recalling this
incident he says, "I dropped the little boy or either he jumped from my arms - I
did not know what happened, for it seemed that every nerve in my body was
paralyzed. As he hit the floor his feet became normal, and for the first time in
his life he walked naturally off the platform. What God did was marvelous in our
eyes. We rejoiced greatly because that many people gave their hearts to Christ
that night. When William Branham reached the place where he determined that his
life would be wholly surrendered to God, and that he would do whatever God
wanted him to do, the Lord began to bless his ministry above and beyond any
other. It was then that the most remarkable visitation of his life (up to that
time) occurred, when the angel in person visited him and gave him a solemn
commission from the Most High. The story of this climaxing experience will be
told in the following chapter by Brother Branham himself.


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  CHAPTER 10: 09-AN ANGEL FROM THE PRESENCE
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Chapter 9 An Angel From The Presence Of God The remarkable angelic visit
received by Brother Branham has caused no little wonder among many of the people
of God as well as the un-saved. As it was in the days of our Lord Jesus, so is
it today, some believe and some don’t believe. As it is written... "...As many
as were ordained to Eternal Life believed." But the overwhelming majority of the
people who attend the Branham meetings were fully convinced of the reality of
the angelic visitation.

It so happens that God has chosen diverse and sometimes very mysterious ways in
which to reveal Himself to His servants specially called for some important
despensational purposes. To Moses, deliverer of Israel, He appeared in the
Burning Bush. To the children of Israel He was found in the Pillar of Fire by
night and the Cloud by day. Samuel heard Him as a Voice calling in the night. To
Elijah He was the Still Small Voice. To Abraham He appeared in the Theophany
manifested in human form, and Paul saw Him in His resurrection glory - the
Pillar of Fire, a blinding Light as also did John, the Beloved.

Perhaps, however, the most usual supernatural visitation in Biblical times was
by an angelic visitor. Thus Angels appeared to Abraham, to Moses, to Joshua, to
Gideon, to David, to the Prophets, to Zechariah, to Mary, to the Shepherds, to
the Apostles, and others. In most cases supernatural visitations were not mere
visions, but were an actual appearing of an Angelic being. Thus the story of the
Angel’s appearance to William Branham is not without full Bible precedent.

Indeed the truth of Angelic ministration to mortals is quite in line with the
Word of God. It has been recognized generally that as a result of the
Pentecostal Revival (early 1900’s), the gifts of the Spirit have been restored
back to the church. But, what about the ministry of Angels? The Bible says in
Hebrews 1:14: "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for
them who shall be heirs of salvation?"

Angels Minister To God’s People

Though ordinarily we cannot see Angels, it is evident from the Scriptures that
they are in the company of the children of God much of the time. No doubt, if we
fully realized that there were heavenly persons in our vicinity who are daily
watching our conduct and our thoughts, it would have a profound effect upon our
lives. Yet such is indeed the case. In (Matthew 18:10) we find Jesus exhorting
us to be, in our our spirits and attitudes as little children. Then in verse 18
he stated that "Their Angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in
Heaven." In Psalms 34:7 it is written... "The angel of the Lord encampeth round
them that fear Him, and delivereth them." Again in Hebrews 1:14 we read
concerning Angels: "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister
for them who shall be heirs of Salvation."

We could cite the great number of Scriptures which deal with the earthly
ministry of angels, but that is not necessary. The Bible says, "Out of the mouth
of two or three witnesses let a thing be established;" and we have already given
numerous references. The fact is that practically all Bible teachers believe and
teach the actuality of such a ministry.

Why then are not angels seen more often? According to our Scripture references,
Angels appear in a visible form, NOT to all Believers, but to those chosen for
special ministeries such as Prophets. Such are ordained from the womb and built
in such a way so as to live in ’two worlds’ at the same time - the seen and the
unseen. The fact remains that ALL Believers do have what we call, "Guardian
Angels". At times, God has, for some reason, permitted Believers other than
Prophets to see Angels. Elisha, the Prophet could easily see the mountains
around his beseiged city, filled with a host of horses and chariots of fire; But
the young man with him could not see it. The Bible records that Elisha prayed
and asked God to open the young man’s eyes (spiritually) that he might see. In
answer to the Prophet’s prayer God permitted the young man to see the heavenly
host of the Lord. (2 Kings 6:17) To peer beyond the veil and perceive such
highly refined beings as Angels we must needs be very sensitive to the Spiritual
realm. Even then we must procede with caution, realizing that Satan and his
angels also disguise themselves as "Angels of Light" (2 Corinthians 11:14-15 ).
Any experience with the Supernatural should be "tested" with the Bible to make
sure it’s entirely Scriptural.

There are numerous cases on record where people just before their passing from
this world, have witnessed attending angels. Apparently from the words of Jesus,
it is one of the duties of angelic beings to transport the human spirit, when it
leaves its crumbling tenement of clay, into the dimension where the righteous
are awaiting the resurrection. (Luke 16:22). It appears that when the grosser
human senses fail, the senses of the spirit become quickened and are able to
witness things that ordinary mortals cannot. I refer you to the the account
already given in a previous chapter of Sister Branham’s passing into the other
dimension. She spoke of two beings in white who were waiting to escort her
beyond time into eternity. A Living Witness Of Bible Days In The Twentieth
Century For a detailed account of the coming of the Angel to Brother Branham I
refer you to Gifts Of Healing Plus - On that page scroll down to the heading "An
Angel Appears. With the coming of the Angel to William Branham, we could say
that Bible days had returned to the church again. Concerning such visitations
there is one point that is fundamental - An angel of the Lord will never reveal
anything but what agrees strictly with the Scriptures. Paul warned us that "If
an Angel came and preached any other Gospel other than what was already
preached, let him be accursed." But the Angel that came to Brother Branham
always took the prophet back to the Scriptures. For "The Man Sent From GOD" the
supernatural was becoming more and more a part of his everyday life. But at
times all these things left the young William Branham frustrated, not knowing
the full purpose of God for his life and ministry. Up to this point God had
blessed him in his ministry but he did not fully understand the "purpose" of God
sending this kind of a "vision ministry". The world had already received a
witness of signs and wonders healing ministries, but this ministry was
different. In Scripture this type of ministry is called an "Open Vision
Ministry". In 1st Sameul 3:1 we read, "And the Word of the Lord was Precious
(rare) in those days; there was no open (frequent) vision."

It was then that God raised up the Prophet Samuel with a Frequent Vision
ministry. And the Ministry that God had given William Branham was comparable to
that of the Old Testament Prophets and our Lord Jesus Christ. It was indeed a
Ministry of Open and Frequent visions. No wonder that this young ’Kentucky
hillbilly’ from the backwoods was puzzled as to WHY God would commission him
with such a ministry. WHAT was he to do with it? WHERE was he to go with it? HOW
was God going to use it to fulfill what the Voice said in 1933 when the Pillar
of Fire came down on the Ohio River? There were many questions that William
Branham sought answers for. All these things came to their climax when in may of
1946, as he was walking under a large maple tree a Mighty Rushing Wind struck
the top of the tree, moved down towards him, causing him to stagger under the
impact. That was another ’turning point’ in his life. He was driven to
desperation to understand his peculiar life and ministry.

He cancelled plans for the fishing trip that he and some brethren were about to
take that afternoon. Instead he said good-bye to his wife and children and
headed for his cave, determined to find the answers to his questions. It was
there in

During this first of many visitations, the Angel conversed with Brother Branham
for about half an hour, explaining the ministry. However, the results of that
Angelic visitation to William Branham brought forth a steadily rising tide of
revival that sounded out throughout the world. The Angel told Bro. Branham that
he would be given "Two Signs" to take the Message of Divine Healing around the
world. As we shall see in other chapters and pages in this Web Site that this
part of his ministry was fulfilled, above and beyond all human expectations. In
1955 the Angel came in person to Bro. Branham again and gave him further
instructions concerning his ministry. He was shown that his ministry to the
Bride of the Lord Jesus would come to it’s climax in "Three Phases or Three
Pulls". The Third Pull would be the climax and final phase of his ministry. And
climax it did! In February 1963, Seven Mighty Angels came and commissioned him
to Preach the Mystery of the Seven Seals of Revelation chapter 5 through 8.
refering to this series of meetings, Bro. Branham said, "Of all the services I
have ever had in my life, I believe this week has been the most glorious time of
all my life in services. I have seen great miracles performed in healing
services, BUT this is beyond that."

Indeed he had seen God do marvelous works during the first Two Pulls (phases) of
his mnistry but to him the Breaking of those Seven Seals was most important.
Come with us into the next chapter as we go back and reherse the things that
transpired in his ministry after the first visitation of the Angel in 1946.
Without a doubt we must confess that "There has been a mighty Prophet in the
land." When the Angel commissioned Bro. Branham in 1946 he said that Jesus was
coming very soon, and that this commission was one of the signs of the nearness
of His coming. He was told that if he would be sincere and get the people to
believe, nothing would stand before his prayer, not even cancer. The Angel told
the Prophet that he would be with him where ever he went. Indeed the Presence of
that Angel from the Presence of God has been felt around the world. The effects
of that Ministry shook the Church to discover it’s very foundations. Yes, this
Open Vision Ministry became and remains a challenge to the Faith of all
professing Christians everywhere. May your faith be challenged in these pages to
find it’s foundations not in a denominational, inter-denominational or
non-denominational church, but in the Living Word (the Lord Jesus Christ) made
manifest in this Age.

Formatted


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  CHAPTER 11: 10-BEGINNING AGAIN WITH A FRESH
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Chapter 10 Beginning Again With A Fresh Anointing

After the visitation of the angel, Brother Branham returned to his home with a
Fresh Anointing upon his life and ministry. The Angel, by showing him the
Scriptures, answered his questions and dissolved his doubts. He knew now that
this was a Scriptural Ministry, fulfilling endtime prophecy. On Sunday evening
he spoke in his tabernacle at Jeffersonville and told the Saints of the coming
of the Angel and his commission. The people of his church believed in him and
loved him. It is to them we go at this time for the continuation of our story of
the course of events which were now unfolding rapidly and would soon plummet
Brother Branham onto the stage of a national and international ministry.

Branham Tabernacle Witnesses The Supernatural

Just before beginning his world-wide ministry, Brother Branham would serve one
more year as the full time Pastor of the Tabernacle in Jeffersonville. That year
would indeed be a year of visions and everyone of them came to pass before our
very eyes. But the "special signs" which he had received during the visitation
of the angel, he told his congregation of this only a few days before he left us
to go to St. Louis. The Congregation of the Branham Tabernacle in
Jeffersonville, along with thousands of others around the world, believe that
William Branham is a Prophet sent from God fulfilling the Prophecies of Malachi
4:5-6; Luke 17:30 and Revelation 10:7. We believe that as John the Baptist
foreran the First Coming of Christ, "To make ready a people prepared for the
Lord", so William Branham was sent to forerun the Second Coming "To made ready a
people prepared for the Lord" - even a people prepared for the resurrection and
Rapture.

Most of the Saints here in Jeffersonville have known Bro. Branham since he was a
school-boy. Around the world and especially at his home church, he was known and
loved for his genuine humble ways. It is true that he has always lived a clean,
moral, quiet life, but there was always something else about him that made him a
little different from the others he grew up with. Now, for about a year after
the coming of the Angel, many here watched in amazement as God through an "Open
Vision" ministry unfolded His mysteries, some of which have been more or less
hidden since Apostolic days. There are just too many witnesses to the
Supernatural to say it wasn’t so. This thing wasn’t done in a corner.

After his conversion when he began preaching here, we erected a large tent for
him and people came from far and near. We realized even then that God was with
this man in a special way. From the early days of his ministry many signs and
wonders followed him. It seemed that they increased as he moved from one phase
of the ministry to another. Being a part of his local church in Jeffersonville,
we were priviledged indeed to have seen and heard the things of God firsthand.

It was on Memorial Sunday night in the year 1946, speaking in the tabernacle,
that he told of his meeting with the angel, and how the angel told him of the
Gift of Healing that he was to take to the peoples of the world, that many
thousands of people would be coming to him for healing, and that he would be
standing before thousands in packed auditoriums.

Now for a carnally-minded person this seemed absolutely impossible, as this boy
was a humble worker, a very poor peasant type, and uneducated. But we had seen
other visions of his come to pass, and he spoke this with such certainty, and
openly declared it to every one, that we were sure this would come to pass also.
He also stated that the angel had declared to him that he would be able to
discern disease by supernatural power, and then if he would stay humble that he
would be able to discern the thoughts of people’s hearts and know their lives -
past, present and future. The Angel further told him that even tho this was the
Spirit of Christ working through him he would be greatly misunderstood.
Continuing to explain the impact this ministry would have on the world, the
Angel informed Bro. Branham that he was called from birth for this purpose, and
that the last days were here; also that this was the sign of the last days, and
by this gift God was calling the Bride of Christ back to the Word.

C<oncerning the "two signs", we recall in Scripture that previous to sending the
Prophet, Moses, to bring Israel out of Egypt, God commissioned him in the
mountain and gave him "two signs" ( Exodus 4:1-9). One of the sign was in his
hand as was also one of the sign given to Bro. Branham - It is a Scriptural
Sign. The second sign William Branham received ( knowing the very secrets of the
heart) was indeed Scriptural. Two references will suffice to prove our point: In
the Old Testament (Genesis 18:9-15) three heavenly Messengers came to Abraham
while he was sitting in the door of his tent. Abraham called ’one’ of the
Messengers "LORD". It was this "One" who discerned what Abraham’s wife, Sarah,
was thinking in her heart while she was in the tent behind Him. In her heart she
had laughed when she heard this "One" Messenger say that she would have a son in
her old age. He said, "Why did Sarah laugh?" She quickly denied it but HE said,
"Nay, but thou didst laugh." This Messenger also knew their names. Instead of
calling them Abram and Sarai, He called them Abraham and Sarah. Just prior to
this visitation God had appeared to Abram and Sarai and changed their names. In
the New Testament we recalled the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was the
WORD made flesh to dwell among us (John 1:1-3). Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the WORD
of God is Quick and Powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing
even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow,
and is a Discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the heart." In speaking to the
"woman at the well" in John 4:5-25; John 4:29, Jesus discerned the very thoughts
and intents of her heart, telling her "all things that she ever did". She ran
through the city saying, "Is not this the very Christ?" When Jesus met Nathanael
for the first time He said, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile."
Nathanael said, "How knowest Thou me?" Jesus responded with these astounding
Words, "Before Philip called thee, I saw thee when you were under the fig tree."
Seeing this sign Nathanael said, "Thou are the Son of God; Thou art the King of
Israel." With out a doubt, this Prophetic Endtime Ministry is Scriptural. Yes,
this Age has seen manifested a Life and Ministry which is comparable to Old
Testament Prophets like Moses and Elijah. Because of the "Sign" of knowing the
very "Secrets of the Heart", this Ministry can also be compared to that of our
Lord Jesus Christ. Most assuredly we believe that William Branham was "A" son of
man (prophet) Revealing (Luke 17:30) "THE" Son of Man, the Lord Jesus Christ. Of
course Brother Branham, being very humble in all his ways, he does not profess
to be a great person. He takes no glory to himself, but gives all the credit to
Jesus Christ who saved him and called him. We challenge our readers to study and
compare for themselves and "the Lord give you understanding in all things".

Telegram Arrives While Service Was In Progress

News of the Angel’s visit to Brother Branham spread quickly. On this Sunday
night after the appearance of the angel, Brother Branham was ministering to us
in the tabernacle at Jeffersonville, when someone came in and handed him a
telegram. It was from St. Louis and it asked him to come and pray for a young
girl who was dying. Her name was Betty Daugherty. The news of what had happened
had gotten as far as St. Louis, and now he was asked to come and minister to the
girl. This would be the beginning of the fulfillment of what they Angel had told
him a few days before. After this we would see him less and less in
Jeffersonville. He would return only to preach and record some "special message"
that the Lord had laid on his heart for the people. At the time he received the
telegram from St. Louis, Brother Branham worked daily for a living, making only
enough to keep his family. He had no money to pay for the train ticket. So we
took up an offering to pay his expenses for the trip. We got enough money to pay
his way over and back by train coach. He borrowed a suit of clothes from one of
his brothers, and a coat from another brother, and at near midnight we put him
on the train at Louisville, Kentucky, where he started for St. Louis. The
Healing Of Betty Daugherty

Throughout his journey, Bro. Branham was very calm, knowing that God would not
fail him. He knew in himself that the Angel told him that people would call from
many miles away seeking his prayers for the sick. When he arrived at the station
in St. Louis he was greeted by Rev. Daugherty, a pastor in the city, who had
sent for him to minister to his little daughter, who lay dying with some unknown
trouble. The best physicians of the city had been called and they were wholly
unable to diagnose her case.

Brother Daugherty said with a weary "We’ve done all we know to do; our doctors
have done likewise. We have prayed and prayed, and many ministers and
congregations of the city have fasted and prayed, but seemingly to no avail."
Then Brother Branham walked with the father to his home where the dying child
lay. He was greeted by the mother and grandfather of the child. Many friends
were in the house praying at that time. He looked at the pathetic sight, and the
tired parents looked upon him so earnestly as if to say, "Can’t you help us?"

Tears rolled down our brother’s cheeks as he moved slowly toward the bed. What a
sad sight to see a little curly-headed girl, nothing but skin and bones, clawing
at her little face like an animal. She was screaming at the top of her voice,
which by then had become very hoarse because this had been going on for three
months. Brother Branham knelt in the room and prayed with the rest of them. But
after prayer was made, seemingly the child was no better.

Brother Branham then asked for a quiet place to pray by himself, so he could see
what Jesus Christ would have him to do. He realized that of himself he could do
nothing. You will recall reading in the Fifth chapter of John when Jesus healed
the lame man at the Pool of Bethesda and left the multitude of lame and blind
and halt without healing, He said to the Jews, "Verily, verily, I say unto you,
the Son can do nothing of himself but what he seeth the Father do, for
whatsoever things he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." This is true in
the ministry of our brother. Often he sees the thing by vision. It is first
shown to him by God and then he merely acts out the drama that he has seen.

Deliverance Comes!

Rev. Daugherty took Brother Branham down to the church. For some three hours,
Rev. Daugherty, his father and Brother Branham prayed. After this they returned
back to the home to find the scene the same as before. Brother Branham then went
into a room by himself to intercede for the child but still nothing happened -
no vision came. Then he would walk up and down the street, and finally he sat in
the pastor’s car that was parked nearby. After a while the car door came open
and Brother Branham stepped forward toward the house, this time with a stern
look. Something had happened!

Going directly to the house, he was met at the door by the father and
grandfather, who, taking one look at his countenance, knew something had
happened. He asked them, "Do you believe that I am God’s servant?" "Yes," was
the cry of the family. "Then do as I tell you, doubting nothing." To the mother
he said, "Get me a pan of clean water, and a white cloth. Your child shall live
for God has sent his Angel to me and told me that your child shall live."

While the mother was getting the water, the father and the grandfather were
asked to kneel, one to the right and one to the left of Brother Branham at the
foot of the bed. When the mother returned she was asked to stroke the damp cloth
over the face, then the hands, then the feet while Brother Branham was in
prayer. Then he said, "Father, as thou hast showed me these things so I have
done according to the vision that thou hast given me. In the Name of Jesus
Christ, Thy Son, I pronounce this child healed." The evil spirit left the girl
immediately. She is a normal, healthy child living in the same community today.
People of the city flocked to Brother Branham but he withdrew himself, promising
he would return later, which he did, within a few weeks. The City of St. Louis
was priviledged to witness the beginning of a world-wide prophetic ministry.

Testimony Of The Father - Rev. Robert Daugherty

"Our little girl, Betty, had been sick for three months. We had two noted
doctors of the city, but seemingly they could not find the cause of her
sickness. We also had many outstanding ministers of the city and country around,
praying for her. She steadily grew worse. Then we sent to Jeffersonville,
Indiana, for a man by the name of Rev. William Branham, who has the gift of
Divine healing.

Brother Bill, as he is called, came to us at once. After hours of praying, he
came in and told us that the Lord had showed him a vision of what to do for our
little Betty. She was mere skin and bones and shook all the time as if she had
palsy. Brother Bill asked us if we would believe God and would obey what He said
to do. After he had prayed and called over her the Name of Jesus, our little
girl was immediately healed. That has been about 10 months ago. Our little Betty
is now in perfect health and is as fat as she can be. I will be glad to write to
anyone in question of her healing, or any of the healings that took place during
the revival which Brother Branham held there in St. Louis in 1946."

Rev. Robert Daugherty

2009 Gano Ave.

St. Louis, Missouri

Formatedd by


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  CHAPTER 12: 11-HIS FIRST HEALING CAMPAIGN
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Chapter 11 HIS FIRST HEALING CAMPAIGN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI On the 14th day of
June, 1946, Brother Branham, his family, and two sisters from his church left
Jeffersonville for St. Louis where he was to begin his first healing campaign.
It was a beautiful morning and a sense of excitement filled their hearts. Bro.
Branham himself would recall many times, his last service at the Tabernacle
before going into the Evangelistic field to fulfill the recent Words of the
Angel and the vision which the Lord gave him one Sunday morning in 1933, just
before he laid the cornerstone for Branham Tabernacle. In that Vision the Lord
told him to "Do the work of an Evangelist and make full proof of the ministry
committed to him". Neither did God’s Servant forget the ’special’ in that
service, sung by some sisters at the Tabernacle: "They come from the East and
West; They come from the lands afar; To feast with the King, to dine as His
guest; How blessed these pilgrims are!" At four o’clock they reached the City of
St. Louis, where the party had pre-arranged to meet Rev. Daugherty at the end of
the large McArthur Bridge which spans the Mississippi River. His car was there,
posted with signs of the coming revival. Brother Daugherty met them and took
them to his home. The party was greeted by the family, including little Betty,
who had been healed a few days before. That evening they all went to the large
tent where Brother Branham was to preach. As he explained to the congregation
what God had done for him, the people listened with evident interest and
attention. Eighteen people were prayed for that night. Among these was a man
that had been crippled for years. After prayer was made in the Name of Jesus, he
arose clapping his hands and walked unaided. A blind man was healed and several
had deaf ears opened. On the following morning Brother Branham was asked to make
a sick call in the psychopathic ward of the St. Louis Hospital. The insane woman
was restored to normal and later obtained her release. They drove over to
Granite City, Illinois and found a woman weighing about 83 pounds suffering with
cancer. After prayer God touched her body and she was then asked to dress and go
home. At the next home they visited there was a lady who had been paralyzed in
her right side for about a year. Brother Branham prayed for her and then
commanded her to rise in the Name of Jesus Christ. She obeyed and immediately
raised her right hand above her head and stood alone. Then she walked back and
forth across the room, clapping her hands. Her voice, which had been gone, was
restored, and she was able to speak. When the party returned to the tent that
evening they found it crowded. Many stood outside in the rain and others were in
cars parked nearby. Again the service was blessed, with a number of wonderful
healings taking place. As the meetings continued from night to night miracles of
even a more outstanding nature took place. Heavy unseasonable rains were falling
but it did not deter the people from attending. They brought old newspapers with
them and used them to cover the wet seats. More chairs were provided, and these
were quickly filled with many left standing. On Sunday evening a colored
minister, who was totally blind in both eyes and known by many in the
congregation, came forward to be prayed for. After prayer Brother Branham held
out his band, and the colored man called out, "Reverend, I see your hand." Then
he looked up and saw the lights. He cried, "Praise the Lord, I can count the
lights in the place and can see the cross-arms they are hanging to." The people
glorified God for this great miracle, for many of them had known this colored
minister to be blind for approximately twenty years. A woman that night that
rejected the call of the Spirit left the meeting, but had gone only a few steps
when she suffered a heart attack and fainted on the sidewalk next to a tavern.
Brother Branham went out and prayed for her, after which she arose and confessed
how she had resisted God’s call to her heart. The services had only been
scheduled for a few days, but now several ministers of the city came to the room
where he was, urging him to continue the meeting for longer than he had planned.
After kneeling down and asking God for Divine guidance, Brother Branham said
that the Lord willing he would continue. The interest in the meetings increased
from night to night, and police appeared to see that all was in order.

Testimonies of healing were now coming in. One of the first to be prayed for in
the campaign was a little lady about seventy years of age, whom the party had
noticed had a cancer on her nose about the size of a small egg. Now, less than a
week later, she returned to tell that it had gone. Many other testimonies were
given. Of course the testimony of little Betty Daugherty, who demonstrated that
she was now sound and well, was very impressive. A minister who could not raise
his arms was prayed for. He then raised his arms in the air and praised God.
Many deaf and dumb were healed in the meetings and demonstrated that they could
hear by repeating words to the congregation. A woman being able to walk without
braces praised the Lord. A woman suffering with lock-jaw and arthritis was
instantly healed. She was able to open and shut her mouth easily. And so the
healings multiplied and were beyond count. With the great number to be prayed
for increasing nightly, Brother Branham often would pray until 2 o’clock in the
morning. This practically became a custom for him from that time on for many
months. So great was his compassion for the sick that it was difficult for the
evangelist to leave the people.

We saw indeed the Spirit of the Living Christ made manifest. The campaign
continued until June 25. On the following morning he returned to Jeffersonville,
Indiana. He had received another telegram from a little girl’s parents, who said
that their daughter was in a serious condition. When Brother Branham appeared at
the hospital room he prayed for her and Jesus touched her body. She then dressed
and went home, sound and well.

Sometime later Brother Branham returned to St. Louis to speak in the Kiel
Auditorium for a one-night meeting. Some 12,000 packed into that great building
to hear him at that time.


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  CHAPTER 13: 12-DRAMATIC EVENTS FOLLOWING THE ANGEL'S
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Chapter 12 Dramatic Events Following The Angel’s Visit

Immediately following the St. Louis campaign great signs and mighty works of God
began to multiply in the ministry of Brother Branham. In a space of three months
so many things happened on the phenomenal side that the recounting of them would
fill several books. How the matter became so widespread in so short a time is
still hard to understand, and is in itself a phenomenon. Inside of six months
people were coming or writing from beyond national boundaries. Some, not knowing
him or his name, saw Brother Branham in a vision and came to Jeffersonville to
inquire whether there was anyone by that name there. Townspeople would refer
them to the tabernacle. Then those who attended the Branham Tabernacle on a
regular basis, with happy hearts would tell them the story. We shall narrate a
few of these remarkable events which took place during the next few months.

RAISING THE DEAD In the course of the summer, Brother Branham was invited to
Jonesboro, Arkansas, to the Bible Hour Tabernacle, where Richard Reed is pastor.
People had gathered to the little city from twenty-eight states and Mexico, and
some 25,000 people, it was estimated, attended the meeting. They were living in
tents, trucks, and trailers, and some were sleeping in their cars. It was said
that for a distance of 50 miles about there were no hotel accommodations
available. On the last night of the services, just as the Evangelist came to the
platform, with thousands packed in and around the tabernacle, an ambulance
driver standing to the right yelled and motioned to attract his attention. He
said, "Brother Branham, my patient has died; can’t you come to her?" Someone
said: "There’s about 2000 people standing between him and the reserved ambulance
row; he cannot go." Then four stout men stepped up and as they started taking
him out it was a moving sight to see the people pushing, trying to get near him.
The Evangelist was taken to the ambulance row, and inside one of the ambulances
he saw an old man kneeling on the floor, his overalls patched in many places. In
his hands he clutched an old torn hat sewed with twine cord, and he said,
"Brother Branham, mother is gone." The Man of God walked close to the still form
and took her by the hand. Her eyes were set and she lay still and breathless.
Brother Branham, as he discerned the woman’s problem, looked back at the husband
and said, "She has cancer." The man replied, "That is true." and kneeling on the
floor he started crying, "Oh God, give me back mother." Then all was silent in
the ambulance for a few moments.

Next the voice of Brother Branham was heard praying, "Almighty God, Author of
eternal life, Giver of all good gifts, I beseech Thee in the Name of Thy dearly
Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, give this woman her life again." Suddenly the limp
hand tightened on the hand of Brother Branham, and the taut skin across her
forehead began to wrinkle. Then with a little assistance from Brother Branham
she sat up. The astonished husband saw what had taken place and threw his arms
around her and cried, "Mother, thank God, you’re with me again." Brother Branham
slipped to the door of the ambulance to return to the platform. The driver of
the ambulance said, "Sir, there are so many people standing against the door
that I can’t get it opened." Then he let him out another way, at the same time
holding his coat against the window so no one would see him leave. THE BLIND
GIRL WHO HAD LOST HER FATHER When he arrived at the lot it was packed full of
people standing in a drizzling rain. He started pushing his way through the
crowd. None of them paid him any heed for they had never seen him before. Day
and night the tabernacle was packed, and few left the building unless it was for
sandwiches or some necessary reason. All of a sudden he heard a pathetic cry,
"Daddy, daddy," someone was calling. Looking up, he saw a blind colored girl
pushing through the crowd. She had lost her father and no one was trying to help
her find him. This pitiful sight touched the heart of the Evangelist, and he
stepped into her path so that she would have to touch him.

"Excuse me please," said the colored girl as she realized she had run into
someone. "I am blind and have lost my father and I can’t find my way back to the
bus." "Where are you from?" asked Brother Branham. "From Memphis," she said,
"What are you doing here?" he asked. "I came to see the healah," she replied.
"How did you hear of him?" said the Evangelist? "This mornin’ I was listenin’ on
the radio and I heard people talkin’ that had been born deaf and dumb. I heard a
man who said he was from Missouri; said he’d been drawin’ the blind pension for
twelve years and now he could read the Bible. Sah, I’ve been blind since a
little girl; cataracts blinded me. The doctuh says they’re wrapped aroun’ the
optical nerve of my eye. If he should try to operate I would be worse off and my
only hope is to get to the healah, and then God will heal me. I am told this is
his last night heah. And they say I can’t ev’n get near the buildin’. And now I
have lost my father in the crowd, will you please help me to get to the bus
suh?" Of course the girl being blind couldn’t see to whom she was talking and
none of the people near her had recognized the man as William Branham, and they
were wondering who he was and why he was paying so much attention to this
colored girl. But, to test her faith, Bro. Branham said, "Do you believe those
things that you have heard, especially when we have so many fine doctors today?"
She replied, "Yes-suh, the doctors have failed to do anything for me. I believe
the story of the angel that visited Brother Branham is true. If you will only
help me where the man is, then I’ll be able to find my father." This was too
much for God’s humble Servant. He dropped his head while tears rolled down his
cheeks. Then, raising his head, he said, "Little Lady, perhaps I’m the one
you’re looking for." Then she grabbed him by the lapels of his coat. "Is you the
healah?" she cried. With tears rolling down her cheeks, she begged, "Don’t pass
me, suh. Have mercy upon me, a blind woman."

One would be reminded of blind Fanny Crosby who wrote, "Pass me not, Oh Gentle
Savior, Hear my humble cry; while on others thou art calling, do not pass me
by." Of course she had heard of other blind being healed, and had come believing
that she too would receive her sight if she could get to Brother Branham. But
said the Evangelist, "I am not the healer, I am Brother Branham; Jesus Christ is
your Healer." Then after he asked the blind girl to bow her head, he began to
pray:

"Lord, some 1900 years ago, an old Rugged Cross was dragging the streets of
Jerusalem, dragging the bloody footprints of the Bearer. On the road to Calvary,
His frail body fell under the load of the Cross. Then along came Simon of
Cyrene, and helped Him bear it. Now, Lord, one of Simon’s children stands here
staggering in the darkness. I’m sure you understand..." At that moment the girl
screamed. "I was once blind; now I can see." The men who were coming for Brother
Branham were drawing near. All the people’s attention was on the young man whom
they now recognized as Brother Branham. As they rushed toward him another heart
moving thing happened. An old man with a twisted leg, leaning on a crutch, had
been watching this drama, and he cried out, "Brother Branham, I know you; I’ve
been standing in this rain for eight hours, have mercy on me!"

"Do you believe and accept me as God’s servant?" he was asked. "I do." He
answered, "Then in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, you’re healed! You
may throw away your crutches." And immediately his crooked limb was made
straight. His leaping and screaming drew the attention of the whole crowd and
they began to press forward to touch some part of Bro. Branham’s clothes. Yes,
Bible days were here again.

Up until this time Brother Branham had received very little remuneration. He had
never personally taken up an offering in his own tabernacle. He had worked as a
game warden to support his family. The old suit of clothes that he had worn that
night was torn and patched. He had discovered that one of the pockets had been
badly torn and his attempt to repair it was rather amateurish. So he held his
right hand over the pocket, giving his left hand when meeting other ministers.
But the people did not notice the ragged coat that night. They were crying and
pushing and trying to touch that worn garment, and as they did they were healed.
It reminded one of the days of Jesus, when faith was high and everyone who
touched the hem of the garment of the Saviour was made whole. To God be the
Glory, GREAT things He hath done!

STRANGE INCIDENT AT CAMDEN, ARKANSAS A few days after this meeting Brother
Branham went to Camden, Arkansas, to conduct a meeting in the city auditorium.

While he was explaining his calling and ministry to the People a great bright
light came into the building and settled over his head. A photographer who
happened to be there took a picture of it, and lo, the light showed in the
picture! Some might have supposed that the photograph had been retouched, had it
not been that many hundreds of people present, witnessed the unusual phenomenon
themselves. Many were healed and led to Christ in that meeting. The following
morning, while being taken by a group of men from the building to his car as
hundreds were pressing forward to touch him, a voice was heard crying, "Have
mercy upon me, thou man of God." Standing off from the crowd was a blind
gray-headed colored man, accompanied by his wife. His hat was in his hand in
reverence. Brother Branham stopped. "Take me to him," he said. Because of
widespread segregation, one of the men said, "Brother Branham, you are in the
South; don’t leave the white people to go to the colored." Brother Branham
replied that the Spirit of God was speaking to him to go to the man. As he drew
near where the colored man was, the men drew a ring of arms around him so he
could get through. The wife was saying, "De parson is comin’ toward you; be
quiet." The colored man raised two feeble shaking arms, felt of Brother
Branham’s face and said, "Is dis you, Parson Branham? I nevah heard of you
before in all my life until last night. I had a good old Mammy that’s been gone
many years. She had heart-felt ’ligion too. Her nevah tole me a lie in her life,
parson. Now I’se been blind many years, and las’ night it seemed she stood near
my bed, parson, and said, ’Honey-chile, you go to Camden, Arkansas; there you’ll
find the Lawd’s servant; his name is Branham and you shall receive your sight.’
Parson, I immediately ’rose and put on my clothes, caught the bus, and wife and
I have come over a hundred miles."

Brother Branham listened to the story, raised his eyes now filled with tears and
said, "Father, I thank You for being merciful to the blind." Then he touched his
hands to the colored man’s eyes saying, "Open your eyes, Jesus Christ has healed
you." And lo, the colored man could see!

Many other things happened of the same nature. On occasions the Spirit of God
would speak to him about some sick person who had been on a bed of affliction
for years. When this happened, invariably when he went to them they would be
delivered. Many of these persons appear in his meetings from place to place,
testifying now that they are well and strong. On one occasion while in Santa
Rosa, California, a man came into the building, and seeking out Brother Branham
asked him to spell his name. When he had done this the man held a piece of
yellow paper in his hand and said, "That’s it, mother." He said that he had come
from a Pentecostal Church, and he claimed that 22 years ago, while he and his
wife were praying, the Holy Ghost spoke through him saying, "My servant, William
Branham will come up this West coast bearing a gift of Divine healing in the
latter times." They believed that it was a prophecy that had been given. And
when they had heard Brother Branham’s name they dug out that old prophecy and
there it was written.

Thus is concluded the account as supplied from information given by those of
Brother Branham’s congregation at Jeffersonville. The following chapter by Rev.
Jack Moore, Co-Editor of THE VOICE OF HEALING, is an illuminating account of
sketches and highlights in Brother Branham’s meetings during the next few months
in the course of the narrative.


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  CHAPTER 14: 13-SKETCHES FROM THE BRANHAM MEETINGS
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Chapter 13 Sketches From The Branham Meetings By Rev. Jack Moore

"God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform, He plants His feet upon
the sea and rides upon the storm." - Cooper. From this lovely land of Louisiana,
where once stood forest after forest of tall, stately pines - unsurpassed
anywhere in the world perhaps - an early pioneer Pentecostal evangelist wrote a
little book entitled "The Coming of Jesus and the White Throne Judgment." In
this book he tells how the rhythmic pulsation of these swaying evergreens
sounded like silvery strains of chanted psalms to the listening ear... and only
those who have been privileged to hear this kind of music will fully understand
how that to him they seemed to sing, "He’s coming soon... He’s coming soon."

Now this old soldier, with many others of yesterday, has laid down his armor.
May God rest their gallant souls. The trees, too, are mostly all gone; their
voices are all but silent. But the message of their song lives on. His coming is
nearer than when we first believed, and another wind is blowing through the
land...

"There’s a wind that blows full of grace and power, As in Creation’s most
wondrous hour, When God gently breathed on a form of sod And the first man lived
by the Breath of God." The wind is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. On Pentecost it
came as a rushing mighty wind. (These men lived again by the breath of God.)
Even so, many today are being awakened from the sleep of spiritual death by this
Holy Spirit refreshing. A fresh breath of God has blown accross the spiritual
landscape of the twentieth century. The Psalmist David cried out, "What is man
that thou art mindful of him?" For a season, because of sin, man was reduced to
a stinted state of spiritual poverty, beyond all hope of redemption... until
Jesus came. And now He is the Hope of His people and the strength of Israel. In
his full restoration, man will be higher than angels and archangels. Even so in
this twentieth century, through the Holy Ghost, some have been used in such a
special way as to cause the inebriated cities of our flourishing America to
become God-conscious for a season. And it is this thought that leads us to
center our remarks upon a man greatly beloved and wonderfully used of God,
William Branham.

BROTHER MOORE’S FIRST MEETING WITH REV. BRANHAM

Words can but fail us as we look back to the time of our first meeting with our
dear brother. Though we had dreamed of someday seeing something like this, it
seemed that we were still napping and were not aware of the rousing Biblical
melodrama that was taking place in the state just north of us until some of our
brethren attended the Branham meetings in Arkansas and brought back the
incredible reports of what they saw. This sounded good, but the half had not
been told us; we were destined to encounter some of the most precious
experiences of our lives. In the providence of God the Evangelist was sent to
bless us with a brief sample of his touching ministry. T he air was laden with
fascinating stories about this unusual little Man and his "gift." How could we
conceive of them all? One spoke enthusiastically of the "vibrations" on his hand
by which he could tell any person whether or not they had a "germ disease" and
what it was; another told of the inspiring sermons he was able to preach, and
yet he declared he was "not a preacher"; some even claimed to have seen cancers
which had passed from diseased bodies a given number of hours after prayer, and
still others painted glowing pictures of deaf and dumb children speaking in the
microphone, cripples shouting and dancing, endless prayer lines subsiding only
after the weary evangelist had slumped in exhaustion and been carried away from
the clamoring crowds; vast audiences keeping heads bowed in reverence for hours
while no sounds penetrated the atmosphere except the stifled wails of the
sufferers, the tender, earnest voice of the praying evangelist, soft strains of
"Only Believe" and the frequent outbursts of praise as a healing took place. One
lady who followed his meetings for hundreds of miles, in making a tearful
attempt to describe the humility, compassion, and meekness of this phenomenal
character, declared that when she looked at him she could not see a human at
all, but Jesus. Everyone agreed that "you could never be the same after seeing
him." Yet for all this we were totally unprepared for what actually happened to
us. Did it not all seem too fantastic to be true?... But it was true, and more,
as we were so soon to learn.

S urprise and bewilderment were among our mixed emotions that first Sunday
evening of Brother Branham’s visit to us when we arrived early at our large
frame tabernacle and found the building so congested that we could hardly get
in. This had never happened before on the first night of any meeting... but this
was a Branham meeting! A steady stream of traffic had wound its way through
Arkansas hills and Louisiana valleys that day, reverently tracing the path of
this 20th century prophet, whose prayers could cause diseases to be accursed,
broken homes to be reunited, drunken fathers to repent, prodigal sons to return,
feuding churches to stack arms and make peace, and lukewarm Christians to be
rekindled by the fire of their first love.

We managed to secure a large high school auditorium, but we were forced to move
back to the church after only two nights, due to the ravaging press of the
throngs which descended upon the school, even during the school hours. We were
privileged to keep only five glorious days and nights of this celestial vigil,
but the effect of those memorable days lives on today.

Transported Back In Time The people were left humbled and tendered, because they
knew that Jesus of Nazareth had passed our way in His servant. For that Holy
pause we had seemingly turned back the pages of time and joined the admiring
host of followers that shuffled along the dusty trails of Galilee in faithful
devotion to a lowly Carpenter who claimed to be the Messiah of Israel. In our
visionary procession we had passed by the place of the tombs which erupted a
naked demoniac, screaming and hissing his objection to the presence of Christ,
but sat at His feet a moment later clothed and in his right mind;... We were
among the jostling mob around Jesus when He asked the abrupt question, "Who
touched me?" and saw a trembling little woman cast herself at His feet and
declare before all the people for what cause she had pulled at the border of His
robe and how she had been healed immediately; and then we followed on to Jairus’
house and saw the raising of his daughter...

We heard the plain words of a deaf and dumb child after his tongue was loosed by
the Master’s touch, and laughed to see the lame man leap for joy... We clamored
for a seaside seat with five thousand other men who had forsaken the anvil and
the hammer and closed the doors of their shops to spend the day hours in rapt
listening to the wonderful teachings of this Divine Philosopher... We wept with
the women as we gazed on His beautiful face and recognized the sorrow and grief
there that spoke of a broken heart, and felt that melting, warming sensation
that one glance from His kind eyes could bring to the soul. Yes, Bible days were
here again. Here was a man who practiced what we preached.

I say this, not to exalt any human, but only to emphasize that our deep
appreciation for our brother stemmed from the fact that his ministry seemed to
bring our Lover Lord closer to us, and to better acquaint us with His living
works, His personality, and His deity than anything had before... and what
better thing could be said of a human?

NEW EXPERIENCE The hallowed feeling that came over us as we saw the wonderful
triumphs of faith made us anxious to help in any small way that we could...
(With God’s Servant we claimed the promise of deliverance for the little
crippled or afflicted child; We joined our prayers with his for the sick, the
lonely, the suffering and the dying.) There were times when before we (the
preachers) got "prayed-up" that through the faith of this "Man Sent From God"
the work was done. Oh, how weak we felt in the Presence of this powerful
Ministry! So from church, friends, loved ones and home we departed to lend our
mite of assistance to this spectacular ministry, the first destination being San
Antonio, Texas. Hundreds were prayed for and delivered during these great days
in the San Pedro Playhouse, saints were revived and sinners converted. We can
never forget some of these moving scenes. It is without fluctuation that Brother
Branham wins the hearts of the people wherever he goes, and as we were to later
learn, these touching farewell scenes would be similarly re-enacted many times
before our eyes.

We would not forget the students of International Bible College, who with their
leader, Brother Coote, helped the sponsoring pastor, our lovable Brother
Stribling, and all became so attached to the Evangelist. It was heart-rending to
see them say good-bye. This is one of many sad events which will never be known
in heaven... parting and farewell.

SIGNIFICANT MESSAGE GIVEN IN SPIRIT

Two incidents stand out as we look back on this meeting. An indelible picture in
my mind recalls a middle-aged man feeling his way through the prayer line, stone
blind for 30 years. As he nears the Evangelist I hear him say, "I feel my eyes
getting warm!" When prayed for he was told to look up, and for the first time
since a child, he says, "I see a light!" I cannot soon forget the expression
upon his face as he stood and gazed for several minutes with a smile of gladness
across his face. Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ! The next incident was a
stirring message given in the Spirit and interpreted, almost identical to two
others which were to be given in other Branham meetings in different places, a
sure testimony of the authenticity of this anointed ministry. It was uttered
with such rousing force that it almost seemed unearthly, and this was the gist
of the message...

"A s John the Baptist was sent as a forerunner of the Lord’s First Coming, so
was He sending forth this Evangelist to move the people and prepare them for His
Second Coming."

Months later we heard this same message interpreted amidst a large crowd of
people attending the Branham meeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Sister Anna Schrader
whom we later learned to appreciate deeply. Truly, these words penetrated our
hearts. More than ever we were made to realize that we are living in the "last
days". At another time the Spirit of the Lord moved on our Sister Schrader with
the following Prophetic ’warning’ Message to all of us:

"A nd these are your days; these are your times. And these are My hours to work
with men. I will tell you what I shall do with my vinyard. I will remove the
hedge thereof, and it shall be trodden down. I will not send my ministers again
AFTER THIS TIME to prune and to dig and to burn off the rubbish. For this is
that time. AFTER THIS SEASON OF REDEMPTION is past, NEVER AGAIN will I move in
the earth in the body of Christ as I am moving now. For what I do now, thou
knowest not, but thou shalt know hereafter. Therefore, gird up your loins with
Truth and be strong, and keep your feet shod with the Gospel of peace, with the
shoes of Salvation and Deliverance. And go forth, FOR EVERYTHING THAT CAN BE
SHAKEN WILL BE SHAKEN. And that which CANNOT be shaken shall remain. And that
which shall be shaken will be removed out of the way... Thus Saith The Lord!

How could the spiritual mind witness these things of God and not be moved to
humility and repentance. Such was the atmosphere that permeated the Branham
meetings.

Evangelist Moves Westward To Coast The next meeting we were in was in Phoenix,
Arizona. Here we met for the first time our friend and brother, who was later to
become a member of the Evangelist’s party, Brother John Sharritt, a lovely
brother and prominent businessman. The Phoenix meeting was well attended and
many signs and wonders were done in the Name of Jesus. On our return from the
coast we stopped again in Phoenix with our Spanish brethren, where a prayer line
seemed endless. My how those minds which had been trained to Catholicism
responded to our brother’s ministry! He prayed for them without rest for about
eight hours. From the Capital City of Arizona, we moved west to Los Angeles and
Long Beach. The services began in Monterrey Park in a beautiful church which was
crowded from the beginning. From here we moved to Municipal Auditorium in Long
Beach. The service had been announced for 7 p.m., but in the late afternoon, in
the midst of a service of another group, the sick, crippled, insane (some in
straight jackets), began to pour in. The Old-Fashioned Revival Hour speaker
(Rev. Charles E. Fuller) sensed this and was glad, it appeared to the writer,
that it was someone else’s faith that was being challenged and not his. Many
were delivered and saved. A brief stay in Oakland was followed by a gracious
meeting in the capital city of the great state of California, Sacramento, and
here a new chapter in this story should begin, for while the rest of the party
was motored from Oakland to Sacramento, I boarded a plane for Ashland, Oregon,
to see our good friend of many years’ standing, Gordon Lindsay, and tell him
about what God was doing. He was in current revival in his church in Ashland...
But what could you guess?... He believed the true report, closed the meeting for
the time and drove with his wife, his evangelistic party and myself down through
rugged northern California to Sacramento to be in the Branham meeting. It is
without hesitation that I say this was the first step in a process that changed
the course of Bro. Lindsay’s life completely, and consequently, perhaps, the
lives of many others, for he initiated abd became the editor of THE VOICE OF
HEALING magazine, reaching tens of thousands, where he once only touched the
lives of a single congregation. Bro. Lindsay’s testimony appears in another
chapter of this site. From wonderful meetings in Fresno we journeyed eastward
back to Phoenix and the Indian Reservation. "The Indian Reservation"... the
mention of those words brings back memories of dramatic scenes and incidents
enacted by these superstitious, tribal natives that would fill a book. I wish
all my readers could have stood with me before this clamorous congregation that
night and watched the general transformation of a motley sea of brown, leathery
faces from an expression of dubious curiosity and bewilderment to that of
exhilarated admiration. Bless their hearts. After all, they are the original
Americans, but I fear they have been sadly neglected and pushed aside. Brother
Branham called the Indian "The True American".

It was a joy to help the missionaries by bringing a man whose revitalizing faith
in God could bring about miracles the Indian could See for himself... for he
must see to believe... and that is exactly what happened. The church was packed
out and many stood outside so the evangelist preached through an interpreter
from the steps of the church to a not-so-sure audience, but soon the prayer line
was formed and the power of the Lord was present to heal. Here we and they were
privileged to see a real display of faith... miracle after miracle took place
right before our eyes. The demonstration of just a few of these miracles was all
the Indians needed to convince them.

Presently, we noticed a bit of confusion as numbers of them began to get up and
leave abruptly... then saw the explanation of this a little later when they
began to file back in, bringing others with them. Seeing had meant believing to
the Red Man, and he had left the scene of the marvelous to go and bring in his
sick and invalid loved ones who had been left in the huts.

I would mention an elderly woman who was hobbling through the prayer line on
home-made crutches of broomsticks. When she came in contact with the Evangelist,
she never waited for our brother to pray for her, but just handed him her
crutches, straightened up and walked away. Such simple, childlike faith! The
Florida Coast

January of 1948 found us leaving the Canadian revival and journeying southward
to the winter paradise of Miami, Florida. However, our motive was not a winter
vacation, as was that of the convulsive mobs who soaked their money in the horse
races, beach extravagance and general sinful revelry, but to minister to the
needy who populate, yes, even as beautiful an Eden of Nature as this. They came
by the droves, forming a truly varied audience, representing almost every state
in the union, and some foreign lands, and bringing some of the most pitiable
examples of human suffering we had seen. Not all, of course, but many of them
went away whole.

Here it was our privilege to meet Avak, the young Christian Armenian, who had
been called and anointed in his native country with a similar experience to that
of Brother Branham. Heaven smiled on us one night during this campaign when we
were privileged to meet Rev. F. F. Bosworth, a veteran of the healing ministry
in earlier days, of whom we had heard and read for many years. It was "love at
first sight" for Brother Bosworth and Brother Branham, as well as the rest of
us, and it was our later pleasure to have him work with us in the evangelistic
party. A panorama of beautiful scenes unfold as I review this memorable period
in my mind... not only the beauties of nature which we enjoyed in this
picturesque country, but the enchanted hours we spent in traveling up the coast
and across the Tamiami Trail, in the company of our lovable Brother Branham, my
wife and daughter, Anna Jeanne and her beloved friend, Juanita. A foretaste of
Heaven!...

We feasted on the Word as our brother expounded its goodness to us; the sisters
wept as he paralleled the mysteries and struggles of earth-life with the glories
of heaven, then he wept as they sang their beautiful songs of Jesus and heaven.
Here was a man who lived on earth and in heaven too... He had treasures on the
other side that often called his thoughts away from his meager terrestrial
surroundings to the perfected celestial realms, and it seemed that his words
were able to transport those in his company to the heavenlies with him. Heaven
was never nearer than when they sang through tears...

"There waits for me a glad tomorrow, Where gates of pearl swing open wide, And
when I’ve passed this vale of sorrow, I’ll dwell upon the other side.

Someday, beyond the reach of mortal ken, Someday, God only knows just where and
when, The wheels of mortal life shall all stand still, And I shall go to dwell
on Zion’s hill.

Someday my labors will be ended, And all my wanderings will be o’er; And all
earth’s broken ties be mended, And I shall sigh and weep no more." Nor could we
feel more passionately the love of God than when, accompanied by the rhythmic
beat of the great Atlantic surges, we heard in melody...

"Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made; Were
every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade, To write the love
of God above, Would drain the ocean dry, Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

Oh, love of God! How rich and pure, How measureless and strong;

It shall forevermore endure, The saints’ and angels’ song."

How could we know that so very soon our brother would be called from us to pass
through the dark shadows of the valley of death, no longer able to bare the load
that had exhausted his physical capacities, and that even the memory of these
days would comfort him during long months of struggle with strained nerves and
mental expression. That late evening, when we gazed out across the broad expanse
of salty-white breakers toward the last rays of a glowing setting sun, and the
evening breeze carried the sweet harmony of the girls’ voices in words like
this...

"Looking toward the sunset, Life seems to fade away, Shadows of night behind me,
waiting to end the day. Somewhere beyond the lingering blue, Hope finds a way to
keep shining through Faith looks beyond the sunset, where dawns eternal day."
Could he feel that the time was near when word would go out to his loved ones
and many friends that the sun of his short life was sinking fast? Somehow I
think he must have known, for he often spoke of going. THE GREAT PENSACOLA
MEETING The spring of 1948 brought record of some of the greatest meetings yet,
among them the Pensacola, Florida, revival. We love to think of this time. Much
preparation had been made. Several groups had united together for the campaign,
including all the Full Gospel churches that we know of in that locality, under
the guidance of our lovable Brother Welch. A huge tent had been erected in a
convenient location; multitudes gathered from surrounding communities and
states, as far away as Michigan. Despite a storm in which the tent collapsed,
and inclement weather, the great crowds and wonderful spirit prevailed to
produce a heavenly five days.

One of the spectacular scenes came on a Sunday afternoon. We had announced that
this would be a service especially for the un-saved. When the Evangelist had
finished his life story, several hundred people, at least 1500, with melted
hearts and tear-wet faces answered the invitation for all who wanted to become
Christians. Only the Recording Angel knows the equal of this scene.

Many received healing in this meeting that never came in contact with the
Evangelist. Faith soared high, and even long after the weary Evangelist had been
carried out, a line of 20 or 25 local ministers, with differences and prejudices
forgotten, prayed for the unending line of hundreds seeking healing. Great Day!
But the starin was beginning to show on the Evangelist. For many months, it was
apparent that our Brother Branham would be compelled to pause for rest and
recuperation, and spared the strain of hearing the problems of every individual.
In every prayer line, after hours of praying and seeing visions, he was just as
sincere and patient with the last one as he was with the first. But his frail
little body was crumbling under the heavey burden. From Kansas City, we went to
Sedalia, Missouri for a few days. In spite of near collapse of the evangelist,
God blessed multitudes of sick and suffering. The scheduled meet in Masonic
Auditorium, Elgin, Illinois, lasted several days, bringing a stir to the Fox
River Valley as perhaps never before. As the meeting closed, we saw that the
strain was too great, and time must be called or the Evangelist would soon
become a casualty in the warfare for Jesus. We said good-bye to the party at
Elgin and turned toward the warm, hospitable south, not aware that we would see
no more of our beloved Evangelist for many months during which time his life and
valuable ministry would almost be snuffed out. But thanks be to God, we are glad
to say that our Beloved Brother did return to the field and led us in the
greatest revival in the history of our church in Shreveport, with Evangelist
William Branham a better, healthier, stronger, more gifted evangelist than ever,
with increased faith and anointing to preach the Gospel.


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 15: 14-GORDON LINDSAY ENTERS THE BRANHAM
========================================================================

Chapter 14 Gordon Lindsay Enters The Branham Story

It seems necessary at this point, for the sake of continuity, to explain the
manner in which the writer came to enter the Branham story. At the time I had
already known Bro. Jack Moore for a number of years. God used this Brother to
introduce me to the greatest ministry I have ever seen in my lifetime. At the
time i was Pastoring a church in the city of Ashland, Oregon. I had the pleasure
of seeing that church grow into a thriving and prosperous assembly. It so
happened that while Bro. Moore was witnessing the Power of God in the Branham
Revivals, we were in the midst of a revival with Evangelist J.E. Stiles, in
which some fifty received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. At that time, we were
all impressed that God would soon reveal to the church - how soon we could not
say - a new ministry of power in which mighty signs and wonders and miracles
would take place. In fact, in years previous God had shown us by the spirit of
prophecy that this would happen. So it came to pass in the Providence of God, as
the Stiles meeting came to a close, that on the 24th of March, 1947, we received
a letter from Brother Jack Moore which read as follows:

Dear Brother Gordon:

I know you will be surprised to hear from me here in Oakland, California, but
this is what happened. We had a Brother Branham of Jeffersonville, Indiana, a
Baptist minister who has received the Holy Ghost, and has great success in
praying for the sick on such a scale as I have never before seen. We had a
meeting in Shreveport, the like of which has never been before. So Brother Young
Brown and myself came along with him out here to fill some engagements he had
made.

We haven’t found buildings large enough to take care of the crowds. Last night
was our first night here, and the building was packed out and all standing room
was taken. We will be here through the 25th and then go to Sacramento for three
nights. So we will be in this country for several days and I would surely like
to see you and would like for you to see what this brother is doing... With deep
regards,

J ack Moore.

We read the letter slowly several times with mingled emotions, and finally took
it and read it to Brother Stiles. His own spirit witnessed with us on the matter
and we both determined to make the trip down to Sacramento and observe the
unusual ministry of this Evangelist that my friend had written about. Within the
next day or so Brother Jack Moore flew up by plane to Ashland to pay us a visit,
and the following day we all went by automobile to Sacramento, a distance of
about 300 miles. When we arrived, we found the church where the meeting was to
be held, though located out toward the edge of the city, was already filled with
people.

Certainly the service that we witnessed that night was different than any we had
ever been in before. Never had we known of any preacher calling deaf mutes and
blind people to pray for, and then to see those people delivered on the spot.
The last one that was prayed for that night was a little cross-eyed child. I saw
the mother and the girl sitting disconsolately at one side - there were so many
to pray for, and it seemed the evangelist would never get to them. Time came for
the service to close, with many yet desiring prayer. The Evangelist was
preparing to leave and had reached the steps of the platform, when he happened
to look back and see the child. Instantly his compassion went out to her, and he
took her, put his hands over her eyes and prayed a brief prayer. When the child
looked up, lo, her eyes had come perfectly straight!

We Meet William Branham The following morning we had the pleasure of meeting
Brother Branham. What we had heard and seen the night before, and the
impressions that we had when we met him, convinced us that here was a man, who,
though humble and unassuming, had reached out into God and received a ministry
that was beyond any that we had witnessed before. Here was a simple faith that
brought results and seemed on the order of that which we had long considered
necessary to bring about the revival that we were sure God intended should come
to pass before the Coming of Christ.

Indeed Brother Moore, having witnessed the unusual power of the ministry of this
Evangelist, saw the advantage of the inspiration of such a ministry being made
available to all God’s people. For indeed when the Angel had given Brother
Branham charge, he straightly told him that his ministry was to be to all
people. Because our associations had been in the larger Full Gospel circles, it
had suggested itself to Brother Branham and Brother Moore, that perhaps I might
be the one to introduce him to the ministers of these groups. Thus it was that
we found Brother Branham immediately willing to consider our invitation for him
to come north and hold some campaigns the following fall in Oregon and adjacent
states.

We returned to Ashland, convinced that God was in our trip and that this was the
ministry that would reach the masses. We began to look forward to the
possibility of arranging several brief campaigns for Brother Branham in the
region of the Northwest.

It was our desire, however, to get into a few additional meetings with Brother
Branham before the Northwest campaigns. Our church gave us permission to visit a
forthcoming campaign at Tulsa, Oklahoma. The assent of the congregation was
unanimous, but all were very solemn that morning as if they had a presentiment
that we might not be their pastor much longer. In June, 1947, we left for
Shreveport, Louisiana. Brother Moore was ready when we arrived and with several
others we drove North to Tulsa. That evening we again had opportunity to observe
the ministry of this man. The large church auditorium was packed to the doors
and many wonderful things took place that night. There were so many to be prayed
for that the service ran until two o’clock in the morning. Thus it had been for
the past year. What a shame, we thought, that with millions of sick people, so
few were really exercising mastery over demons and disease, and that this little
brother had to pray for the sick until he was physically exhausted.

Up till this time, few union Full Gospel campaigns had been undertaken.
Doctrinal differences and other reasons had caused one group to be suspicious of
the other. If all were to get the benefit of these great services, we saw it
would be necessary for the campaigns to be organized on the inter-evangelical
basis, where all concerned would agree not to precipitate debate on
controversial subjects, but would join together in a united effort to bring this
message of deliverance to all the people. Could this be effected? We thought it
could. Brother Branham was enthusiastic about the idea, for indeed the uniting
of believers had been the burden of his heart from the time that the angel had
visited him. Before we left Tulsa, definite plans were made for a series of
meetings to be held in the West that fall.

Two months later, while on a trip to the General Council at Grand Rapids,
Michigan, we stopped over at Calgary, Canada, where Brother Branham was holding
a seven-day meeting. We had opportunity to assist in the prayer line, and there
had a close-up view of the ministry of our brother. In one instance, we watched
as he talked to a man lying on a cot. At first there was no sign of an
intelligent response from the man. Explanation then came from the wife standing
by, that the man was not only dying of cancer, but was deaf and could not hear
what was being said. Brother Branham then said that it would be necessary for
the man to receive his hearing so he could instruct him concerning the healing
of his cancer. There was a moment of prayer. Suddenly the man could hear! Great
large tears rolled down the cheeks of that man whose face all evening had been
so expressionless and impassive. He listened with deep interest as he was told
of his deliverance from cancer.

Another case was the healing of a deaf mute child. After prayer it was evident
that the boy could hear. The startled expression on his face as he heard the
sound made it clear to every one that the deaf spirit had been cast out. The
next night I saw the mother again, and happily she told us that already her boy
had learned several words. (Elsewhere in this volume is a newspaper account of
the Calgary meeting.) GOD’S PURPOSE IN RAISING UP WILLIAM BRANHAM

We left Calgary with some other friends who were traveling with us, and
continued our trip East. A few days later we stopped at Oberlin, Ohio, home of
Oberlin College, founded by Charles G. Finney. This great man of God lay buried
in a cemetery plot near Oberlin. Finney would scarcely recognize Oberlin now.
True, the beautiful campus buildings reflected material prosperity, but the
Gospel that Finney had so ardently proclaimed two generations ago had few
advocates there now. The blighting scourge of modernism and a social gospel had
taken over. There would be no joy in Oberlin, if Finney were to return and
preach his dynamic sermons in the halls of that now ultra-modern university.

We asked ourselves what was the matter. Why in the space of two generations had
such a complete declension taken place. We then were reminded of the days of
Joshua. Israel served God during Joshua’s lifetime and also during the lifetime
of those who outlived Joshua, and "WHO HAD SEEN ALL THE GREAT WORKS OF THE LORD
THAT HE DID FOR ISRAEL... AND THERE AROSE ANOTHER GENERATION AFTER THEM WHICH
KNEW NOT THE LORD, NOR YET THE WORKS THAT HE HAD DONE FOR ISRAEL. AND THE
CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DID EVIL IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD AND SERVED BAALIM." (Judges
2:7-11) HIS MINISTRY COMPARED TO THAT OF GIDEON’S

There it was. It was evident that faith in God cannot be transmitted from
generation to generation without new manifestations of the power of God. Each
generation requires a ’fresh’ Anointing and without it they drift into formalism
and worldliness. The generation that followed Joshua still had their priests,
but apparently these knew nothing of the power of God. The main result of their
powerless ministry was that "every man did that which was right in his own
eyes." But then as now there will always be those, such as Gideon, who will not
accept the devil’s plausible explanation that the days of miracles are past. An
Angel appeared to him and said, "The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of
valour." But Gideon replied and said, "If the Lord be with us, why then is all
this befallen us? And where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of,
saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? But now the Lord has forsaken
us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites." (Judges 6:12-13 ) Gideon
was not like the religionist of our day, who is perfectly satisfied with a
non-miraculous gospel, and cleverly explains the absence of miracles in his
ministry by saying that the "days of miracles are past," and that it is now the
will of God for Christians to be oppressed by sickness. Gideon refused to fool
himself; he faced the facts.

If God be with us, where were the miracles, he wanted to know. Notice that the
angel did not say, "Gideon, you are excited; the days of miracles are past." The
Angel honored Gideon’s faith by performing a miracle right there. As he touched
the sacrifice that Gideon had prepared, "there rose up fire out of the rock, and
consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes."

Indeed the angel of the Lord told Gideon to "go in this thy might, and thou
shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites; have I not sent thee?" When
the Spirit of God came on this man of faith he became a different man, and all
Israel was soon to witness a mighty deliverance wrought through the power of the
supernatural.

Gideon was quite startled when the Angel commissioned him to go forth as
Israel’s leader. He come from a poor family and he was the least in his father’s
house. Still, Gideon was God’s Choice After God had blessed Gideon with victory
he still remained humble, and refused to accept the offer to be ruler over
Israel. He told the people, "The Lord shall rule over you." He restored harmony
among his jealous brethren, and during many years that followed there was peace
and quiet in the land. A parallel to the story of Gideon is apparent in the life
of William Branham. Both men were born in very poor families, and neither had
any ambition to become great. Each received a visitation and commission from the
angel of the Lord. Each believed that if God were with His people then the days
of miracles could not have ended. Both of these men received a special enduement
of the Spirit. Both disdained becoming a ruler over God’s heritage, and both
labored to bring harmony among God’s people. With a very small army God gave
Gideon victory over a host of the enemy. With no backing of human organization
and having few natural qualifications, William Branham obeyed the call to
minister the gift that God gave him, and multitudes flocked to hear him, many
being delivered from the enemy’s afflictions. Gideon suffered from the
opposition of jealous brethren and the carnally minded. Such has also been the
case with William Branham. Each of these men responded to those who spoke
against them with gentle forbearance and patience, and God vindicated both in
His own time. HIS MINISTRY COMPARED TO THAT OF ELIJAH’S

Even more than Gideon’s ministry, that which God committed to William Branham is
especially comparable to the Ministry of the Prophet Elijah. In fact, according
to Malachi 4:5-6 these is promised an "Elijah-type" ministry for the last days.
For a further study of this promise I refer you to A Prophet To The Gentiles.

Like Elijah of old, William Branham just appeared on the scene. He did not arise
out of ’mainstream’ Pentecostal, Evangelical circles. Like Elijah, William
Branham was a man of the wilderness. Like Elijah, William Branham had a Powerful
Anointing upon his Ministry. He challenged the people to believe God. Like
Elijah, William Branham fearlessly called out against sin in the churches and
among the clergy, screaming "Repent or perish!" He took sides with no
denomination. He, like Elijah, was on the Lord’s side. As Elijah indicted Israel
for it’s sin, so also God used Brother Branham to indict America, the nations
and the churches for it’s unbelief. Like Elijah, William Branham was given
Authority over devils, demons and unbelief, that he might fully carry out his
commission. A parallel in conditions existing in the days of Gideon and Elijah
and our day is also apparent. A couple of generations ago (The early 1900’s -
1944) the Full Gospel movement sprang into existence, attended by many signs and
wonders. But now a new generation has arisen, and all they know is
denominations, inter-denominational and non-denominational groups,
Charistmatics, following the leadership of men. They take part of the Word
(interpreted by man) and refuse other parts. In many churches the tendency has
been to seek substitutes (emotionalism or sensationalism) for the power of God
and to gravitate to a purely human level of worship riddled with worldliness - a
form of godliness, denying the true Power of God. On our return to Oregon it was
impressed upon us with great force that the manifestation of the power of God
was the only answer to the question, "How can we reach this generation with the
message of the Gospel in the brief time that remains before the coming of
Christ?" Indeed, the ministry committed to William Branham would meet the need
of the hour: To testify of Jesus Christ, the Same yesterday, today and forever;
To give proof of His Healing and Resurrection Power; To call an Age to
repentance; To direct the Believer back to the Word for Rapturing faith; To
deliver a Message of warning before judgement. Nothing less than a Prophetic
Ministry was what we needed and in the Commission God gave William Branham our
need was met and God’s Word was fulfilled.


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  CHAPTER 16: 15-BRANHAM IN THE NORTHWEST
========================================================================

Chapter 15 Branham In The Northwest The time soon arrived to begin the Northwest
meetings. We still had the task of pastoring at Ashland. Fortunately the Lorne
Fox Evangelistic party came to our church at that time and the meeting proved to
be one of the most outstanding Ashland had ever experienced. What little time
was available, we used in completing arrangements for the Branham campaigns,
which were to begin first in Vancouver, B.C., and then to go south to the
States. The three pastors of the main churches of the city, sponsoring the
meeting were Rev. Walter McAllister, Rev. W. J. Ern Baxter, and Rev. Clarence
Hall. Much of the success of this meeting was due to the fine work of
preparation made by this local committee. Rev. Baxter, who was later to become a
member of the Branham party, described the meeting in the following words:

"Scenes of indescribable glory were witnessed during the all-too-brief,
four-day, city-wide campaign with Rev. William Branham. As in other cities, so
in Vancouver, the largest available auditoriums were inadequate to accommodate
the teeming multitudes that waited on the ministry of our brother. Surrounding
towns and villages seemed to literally empty into Vancouver, until the whole
city was conscious of the spiritual impact of thousands of praying, believing
people. Ministerial delegations from various cities attended with a view to
securing the ministry of Brother Branham for similar meetings in their various
fields of labor. Thousands were unable to gain access to the meetings, and this
in spite of a transportation strike involving all streetcars and buses.

"The Vancouver meetings were preceded by three mass prayer meetings, and three
great preparation services on the day before the meetings commenced. Right from
the beginning of negotiations for the coming of Brother Branham to Vancouver, a
salutary spirit of unity and cooperation prevailed among the Vancouver
ministers. This gracious spirit continued, and in fact increased throughout the
meetings, and continued for many years, finding expression in fellowship groups
and meetings. We have noted this to be one of the outstanding features of
Brother Branham’s ministry in other cities, also. And how desperately it has
been needed.

"Long after the meetings finished, many testimonies of healing continued to come
to the attention of local pastors, and many marvelous works were wrought by the
immediate action of the Holy Spirit at the time of prayer. To undertake any kind
of a report on the healings experienced would be an impossible task, for should
one speak of crossed eyes straightened, or of bed-ridden invalids raised, or of
the deaf hearing, or of the dumb speaking? Or should one seek to recount the
thrilling testimonies of those relieved of cancers, tumors and goiters? The task
is too great, and when seemingly completed, it has only begun. Final records
will only be read when we stand before the Giver of every good and perfect
gift."

Despite the transportation tie-up, the large auditorium seating several
thousands was filled every night - indeed on the last day the doors were closed
at five o’clock. It was evident that few men ever were able to do as much good
in four days as Brother Branham did in Vancouver. Many ministers attended and
returned to their churches enthusiastic and inspired over the remarkable
demonstration of the power of God which they had witnessed. The next meeting was
in Portland, Oregon, and began on Armistice Day. Services were held in various
auditoriums, but no building was found that was able to take care of the crowds.
For the last three nights the Municipal Auditorium was engaged, but on the final
night even this spacious place was crowded out. Hundreds of ministers attended,
and religious services in Full Gospel circles practically ceased except at the
auditorium where the services were going on. The account of the dramatic
challenge of the demon-possessed man which took place in this meeting appears in
the first chapter of this site. From Portland we went to Salem. The large armory
was packed out and so were all its separate lower rooms which were fitted with
loud speakers. Rev. Walter Fredrick, chairman of the local committee, had this
to say:

"From Salem, Oregon, we too wish to sound out a note of praise to God for the
mighty visitation from God during the Branham meetings. People came from the
States and Canada. Never in the city’s history has such a crowd thronged a place
for religious meetings. Salem was stirred and made God-conscious. Many were the
miracles of healing, and as is the case with nearly all of the Branham meetings,
testimonies of eliverance continued to come in long after God’s servant had left
the city." From Salem, Brother Branham went to our own City of Ashland where the
local armory seating 1200 was jammed out. The following week the party drove
over to Boise where a powerful three day campaign filled the largest auditorium
in the city. In the 14 days of services, with only a comparative small amount of
newspaper advertising, some 70,000 people had heard the gospel of healing and at
least 1000 of these were ministers. In these meetings we might mention that
Brother Branham’s strength was far below par. He attempted to commute to
Phoenix, Arizona, on Sundays and hold afternoon services in the Shrine
Auditorium. Sometimes he had to be up all night. Once his plane circled for
hours seeking to land, while a thick fog shrouded the field in almost
impenetrable density. The results of these meetings were all the more remarkable
when we consider how the evangelist was ministering beyond his strength and
under such strenuous physical handicaps. In the future we were careful to see
that he should not get involved in more services than could be properly handled.
But even then it was apparent to us that Brother Branham had gone beyond his
strength and really needed a long rest.


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 17: 16-THE VOICE OF HEALING BORN
========================================================================

Chapter 16 THE VOICE OF HEALING BORN At the close of the Boise campaign, Brother
Branham expressed himself that he was very happy over the outcome of the
meetings that had been held in the Northwest, and said he felt it was God’s will
that in the future his meetings should continue to be conducted on the same
inter-evangelical basis. He asked me if I would go to Shreveport, Louisiana to
confer with Brother Moore as to the possibility of arranging other campaigns on
this basis. I consented to go, for I dared give no other answer to this but an
affirmative. My church again was very gracious in permitting me to go. The
congregation was fortunate in securing the services of Evangelist Velmer Gardner
during my absence and the church moved along at high tide. Indeed, Brother
Gardner was to receive a great inspiration from the campaign we later held at
Eugene. Shortly after that a new ministry of healings and miracles began to
follow the campaigns held by this Evangelist.

Whether to leave my church permanently, and follow the work that seemed
providentially indicated, was becoming a matter of increasing concern to me. It
was not easy to make a decision to leave those one loves, especially a church
that you have seen grow from a small struggling group to a strong and vigorous
assembly. Finally in prayer, God spoke directly and told me to go ahead, nothing
doubting, and He would see that I should be led step by step in my part of the
great work he was beginning to do over the land.

Shortly after the first of the year I arrived at Shreveport, Louisiana, and
talked the entire situation over with my friend, Brother Jack Moore. Together
with Young Brown we drove to Jeffersonville, Indiana, where Brother Branham was
resting at his home for a few days. There we had an inspiring time of
fellowship. In the course of our fellowship we discussed the possibility of
publishing a magazine to report on the Branham Meetings. There were some
problems to be worked out. Previously, Brother Branham’s meetings were being
represented in a magazine edited by a good Christian brother in Texas. The
problem that had arisen was this: Brother Branham realized that since the
meetings in the Northwest his campaigns had reached a scope that believers from
all the various groups were now attending. Any magazine that would be used in
the meetings would go into the homes of all these groups. If the campaigns were
to be organized on an inter-evangelical basis, it was evident that the magazine
must also be of the same character. It was therefore decided that a message
should be sent to the brother mentioned above, asking him if he felt free to
establish his paper on an inter-evangelical basis, and, if so, then Brother
Branham would continue to use that magazine as his official publication.

We parted for the evening and all of us placed the matter definitely in the
hands of the Lord. In the morning we met Brother Branham again, and he seemed to
have received a peaceful assurance. He said that he had heard from heaven that
night. We carefully listened to what he told us, and in the months which
followed we indeed witnessed the exact fulfillment of what he said.

Events now moved swiftly. The brother previously mentioned notified us that he
did not feel he was in a position to make his magazine inter-evangelical, as had
been suggested. Thus THE VOICE OF HEALING was born, and it fell upon the writer
to become the editor. It was agreed at the time of its inception that in its
pages there would be no discussion of minor matters of doctrine that might
precipitate argument and confusion among the Full Gospel people, but it was to
proclaim the message of the Great Commission, the sounding of God’s last call to
the un-saved, the healing of God’s people, to the end of uniting them in spirit,
and preparing them for Christ’s Coming. At that time, THE VOICE OF HEALING was
considered only as an organ of Brother Branham’s own meetings. Later, because of
his weakened condition, he was forced to leave the field for a considerable
time, and in the Providence of God, with Brother Branham’s concurrence, the
magazine then became the official organ of America’s great healing ministries,
though of course featuring Brother Branham’s ministry.

It is interesting to note that many of the dear brethren who’s ministeries were
reported in the ’Voice Of Healing’, testify to the fact that their inspiration
and calling to the ministry had its inception while they attended some of the
Branham campaigns. To God be all the glory.

Rumors - William Branham Was Dead Meeting F. F. Bosworth

Arrangements had been made for members of the Branham party to join at Miami,
Florida, for a six-day campaign in the early part of the year of 1948. In the
meantime, a strange rumor gained circulation that Brother Branham had died. It
was immediately after the beginning of the new year that the rumor was first
heard, and it wouldn’t die down. Up and down the breadth of the land the story
was told and retold. We made every effort to reassure people that the report was
untrue. Still, excited persons would write, phone and telegraph us seeking
confirmation. The rumor continued to persist until the first issue of THE VOICE
OF HEALING appeared in April, 1948.

It was a remarkable example of the propagating power of falsehood, and we found
it impossible even to trace its source. The rumor, unlike so many, was not
malicious in its character. The origin of it no doubt sprang from the fact that
the continuous labors of our brother, going as he had into the long hours of
night, praying for the sick, had severely sapped his strength to the point that
it was now noticeable to his audience. Many nights Bro. Branham would continue
to pray, under the Anointing, seeing one vison after another, until he would
have to be literally carried off the platform. Nevertheless, God was not yet
through with His servant. And although it was true that Brother Branham was to
go through months of sore physical trial, he was destined (by the Grace of God)
to emerge the victor, with a greater ministry than ever. In Miami, the tent had
been pitched far out on the outskirts of the city. No preparation for securing
united support of the churches had been made, since the campaign had been
scheduled at such short notice. Most any other meeting under such circumstances
would have been doomed to failure. Nevertheless, word soon got around, and the
tent in a few days was filled to capacity. Many wonderful miracles took place,
and the altar call on Sunday afternoon witnessed hundreds of men and women
coming forward to give their lives to Christ.

It was while we were in Miami that Brother Branham met the noted Evangelist F.F.
Bosworth. Brother Bosworth, back in the Twenties, held healing campaigns
attended by great audiences. The largest number of people ever gathered under
one roof in Ottawa, Canada, attended the Bosworth meetings there and some 12,000
sought the Lord for salvation. Many such campaigns took place over America and
Canada and the newspapers from time to time featured stories of the marvelous
miracles taking place in them.

Naturally, meeting with Brother Bosworth was a memorable event for the whole
party. All were particularly impressed by the sweet and godly spirit of this
brother who had been so signally used of the Lord. After Brother Bosworth had
attended a few of the services, he said:

"Although God has given me meetings of tremendous magnitude, yet, I have never
witnessed miracles taking place with such consistency so early in the campaign.
In my campaigns I often have to labor for several weeks, before faith had risen
sufficiently high for outstanding miracles to occur. But I see in Brother
Branham’s meetings, such miracles were taking place the first night."

Brother Bosworth was invited to speak at one of the evening services in Miami
and later he found it possible to go with the party to Pensacola and to other
northern cities where Brother Branham had been scheduled to come. God had indeed
blessed us in Miami, now we looked forward to the Pensacola Meetings. I can
certainly concur with Bro. Jack Moore’s statement in a previous chapter that
Bro. Bosworth and Bro. Branham fell into a bond of Divine fellowship and love
that was maintained throughout their lives.

Pensacola

W e had made arrangements to hold the next campaign in Pensacola. But before
this could be done a number of ministering brethren had business to attend to.
Bro. Branham himself need a few weeks of rest, which inculded a trip to Pheonix.
At the day appointed, approximately a month later, the party arrived in
Pensacola with Brother Branham to begin the meeting. This was to prove a most
interesting campaign. It was not to be without mishap, for a high wind coming
off the gulf struck the tent and caused some damage. One service had to be held
in the local arena while repairs were made. However, under the expert direction
of Rev. D. L. Welch, one of the cooperating pastors, the tent was repaired and
re-erected and the campaign continued in the Canvas Cathedral, without further
interruption. A NEVER-TO-BE-FORGOTTEN SERVICE The climaxing service and one
never to be forgotten was on Sunday afternoon. The large tent was not only
filled but many were standing on the outside as Brother Branham began to give
the story of his life. When our brother relates this story he doesn’t just tell
it, but he relives it. And not only he but those of his audience also find
themselves reliving it with him. For the space of an hour and a half, the great
gathering of people was carried away as it were, as they listened with deep
interest to the story of his early days of poverty and privation, his conversion
and God’s dealing with him, and again the tragedies in his life and finally the
eventual triumphs. But never did the speaker tell this story in a more moving
way than he did that afternoon. As we observed the audience, we saw strong men
freely applying their handkerchiefs as copious tears streamed unashamedly down
their cheeks. The writer never saw an audience more moved. Finally, as the
evangelist brought his message to a close and the altar call was given for
sinners, a most remarkable scene transpired. Apparently almost every sinner in
the vast congregation stood to his feet requesting prayer that he might be
saved. Various estimates of the number which responded to this one altar call
were anywhere from 1500 to 2000 people. It was the greatest response in one
service we had ever seen, and doubtless has been equaled few times in the
history of evangelism.

It was obvious at once that there was no place to accommodate such an enormous
number of seekers and there was nothing else to do but to let them pray where
they were standing. Can any one present that afternoon ever forget that scene?
People wept as they confessed their sins, and called upon God to have mercy on
their souls. As the moments passed, here and there, those tears of repentance
were turned to tears of joy and soon many shouts of victory sounded through the
tent. How many names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life that afternoon,
only the angels of heaven know, but it must have been a great number. A number
of startling miracles took place during the brief campaign, but there is not
room to describe these. However, the circumstances concerning the deliverance of
a violently insane man was so remarkable that we must give space to a few of the
details concerning it. As has been mentioned, because strong winds had forced
lowering of the tent, one service of the campaign was held in the local arena.
This insane young man had been brought from a state institution to the meeting
that night, to be prayed for. At the close of the service, those who had brought
him tried to lead him from the building, but he refused to go. When our
attention was called to this, we secured the services of a half dozen men and
took him from the building by force. So strong were the powers that possessed
him, that it required no little exertion to accomplish this, but at length we
had him safely seated in the automobile, so we thought, and left him, supposing
that there would be no further trouble.

Imagine our dismay, when a couple of minutes later there was heard a hoarse cry,
and turning we saw him run from the car toward a group of women and children who
were standing and talking near the door of the arena. His headlong dash occurred
so suddenly and unexpectedly that we scarcely knew what to do. The people at the
door fled in every direction before he reached them. Then furiously he turned
and charged, with arms flying, toward one of the members of the Branham party,
who was standing by.

Demons have power to break chains, and to do other superhuman feats, but
fortunately they are powerless before the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ! Though
struck at time after time, the brother was not harmed or even touched, no not by
a single blow. Something supernatural parried every thrust made by the
demon-possessed man.

How long this might have continued, it is impossible to say, but just at that
moment two policemen who happened to be in the vicinity, hearing the shouts and
cries of the women, rushed up, and seeing what they supposed was a common brawl,
began questioning both. At this moment, however, the insane man, with fierce
imprecations, charged the officers, and they soon found that they had more than
their hands full. Over and over on the grass they rolled and tussled, and
finally the officers had to resort to rather stern measures before they could
handcuff and subdue their refractory assailant. A call to the police brought out
a squad car, and finally the man was secured and taken to headquarters, where he
was placed in a special cell for the night.

After they drove away, we shall never forget the tears of the unfortunate man’s
sister, who had been responsible for bringing him to the meeting. She came and
pleaded with us with anguish of soul that Brother Branham would pray for him. Of
course, it was impossible for Brother Branham to respond to the multitude of
calls that came daily from those who would desire him to visit sick and confined
people. But so urgent and grief-stricken was the sister, that finally Brother
Jack Moore consented to tell Brother Branham about the case in the morning. The
following morning, Brother Moore ’started’ to relate the story of events of the
previous night to Brother Branham. Then occurred that marvelous manifestation of
the Word (Hebrews 4:12), discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Through this ’sign’ that the Angel gave him he was able to witness events that
take place at a distance, and even before they happen. We are indeed reminded of
the exploits in Elisha’s ministry, when he beheld the plans of the King of Syria
even before they took place. Or of Christ Himself, when He saw Nathanael at a
distance by other than natural sight. In this case God had already (by vision)
shown Brother Branham this insane man, that he would pray for him that day, and
that the man would be healed. Our Brother explained Bro. Moore every detail of
what would happen. The scene of the deliverance was identified by him in the
vision by the presence of a car with a red appearance, and the manner of the
clothing worn by the man who would be delivered.

Arrangements were then sought with the Pensacola police for the release of the
young man. But they, remembering the trouble that they had had the night before,
perhaps could be pardoned for their refusal to let him go unless he were taken
outside of the city limits and never returned. So finally a rendezvous was
arranged on the Gulf beach, where all the parties concerned would meet. But when
Brother Branham arrived and looked carefully at the cars, he made the remark
that all was not what he had seen in the vision. While he hesitated, Brother
Moore decided to drive his new De Soto up some little distance from where the
insane man was, as his daughter and another sister were in his car. Brother
Branham then got out and walked to where the young man was standing. He noticed
at once that the his clothing was exactly the same as what he had seen in the
vision. But WHERE was the car with the red appearance?

Then a peculiar thing happened. As Brother Branham told it afterward, "I looked
back toward Brother Jack’s car. Most of the beach was of white sand. But where
the car had just been parked, there was a bank of red clay. The sun reflecting
from the red clay on the highly polished tan sedan caused it to appear red. I
knew then that this was exactly what I had seen in the vision. Everything was in
order. I approached the young man and said,’Thus saith the Lord, the evil spirit
shall leave you NOW, and you shall get well.’ Instantly the young man was
delivered and entered into a normal conversation."


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 18: 17-THE BRANHAM PARTYGOES NORTH
========================================================================

Chapter 17 THE BRANHAM PARTY GOES NORTH The next meeting was scheduled in Kansas
City, Kansas, in the Memorial Hall in the early part of April. Brother U.S.
Grant was chairman of the local committee, and had made very excellent
preparations for the meeting. We arrived about eight o’clock in the evening, and
drove immediately to Brother Grant’s residence. He was glad to see us, but
expressed some anxiety concerning Brother Branham, who he said had not yet
arrived, though he had received communication that he would be there earlier in
the day.

Rev. Grant said he knew that he had not arrived as only he had knowledge of the
location of the hotel where we were to stay - this being always of necessity a
closely guarded secret. (On one occasion when the location of Brother Branham’s
hotel became known to the public, a long line of sick formed at his door,
seriously disrupting the business of the hotel.)

We ourselves were just a trifle disturbed as we knew that Brother Branham should
have arrived by this time. But there was nothing to do but await further word,
and we ourselves went to the hotel. We were not a little surprised when we
learned from the night clerk that he had arrived and had already retired. When
later we asked how it had happened that he had not gone to Brother Grant’s place
first, his reply was that he had been very tired and thought that perhaps it
best to go to bed early and get as good a rest as possible. But we said, "How
did you know to come to this hotel?" "Well," he said, "I just seemed to know."
That was all the satisfaction we could get. We were not too surprised, as time
after time we had similar experiences when his perception reached out, and he
knew things that did not come to him through the avenues of his five senses. We
shall not forget how non-plussed Brother Grant was when we told him what had
happened. We do not wish to give the impression, however, that Brother Branham
had the ability to use this gift at will, but only at such times as the Spirit
of God would specially move upon him for its manifestation. The first night of
the meeting, some 1500 were present at the Memorial Hall. Sunday night was an
outstanding service. The third night the Spirit of God was manifest in unusual
power. Some reporters were present that night. Their report published in the
conservative Kansas City Times, April 13, 1948, appeared the following morning.
Although written in "newspaper style" we considered the write-up, on the whole,
a fair appraisal of the service. A few paragraphs of the report was as follows:

"Amid ’amens’ of the congregation, the Rev. William Branham, of Jeffersonville,
Indiana, conducted the third of a series of five healing meetings at the
Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas.

"Whatever you ask God to do, He will do,’ Mr. Branham said. ’No matter how near
death you are from sickness, He can cure you, even now, if you will just take
God at His Word.’

"A score of ailing persons crossed the stage last night and professed to have
been cured of various illnesses after Mr. Branham had prayed briefly with them.
The audience was moved. There were tears in the eyes of many and their lips
moved as in prayer. Some mothers sobbed as they rocked restless babies in their
arms. One girl from Mobile, Alabama, said her eyes were crossed when she went on
the stage last night, but after Brother Branham had prayed her eyes were normal
and clear. Another woman held up her hand and said a goiter had just disappeared
from her neck. She said she had had the goiter for years and that a year and a
half ago a physician told her only an operation would remove it." A number of
interesting incidents occurred during the Kansas City campaign. One lady came to
the writer and told how she had been ill from a serious affliction, but hadn’t
been able to get in the prayer line, because of the great number of people.
Nevertheless, her faith rose, and that night in the hotel she awoke her husband
and said that she believed if she could only get in the prayer line at once, she
would be healed. Her husband, a little startled, finally deciding that she was
dreaming, told her to go ahead. However, in the morning, the woman awoke to find
herself perfectly well! She remembered her dream, as did her husband. The
Branham Meetings Move On From Kansas City, the Branham party moved to SEDALIA,
MISSOURI where God wonderfully blessed us with souls for the Kingdom and healing
for the physical body. as always many people could not get inside the building.

F Missouri we journey to Illinois. The last campaign in the East at this time
was held in the famous watch center of Elgin which is located in the suburbs of
Chicago. The auditorium seating about 2000 was hopelessly inadequate to
accommodate the crowds that came. In fact, after the first day or so the
afternoon crowds completely filled the place. We shall permit Rev. Merrill
Johnson chairman of the local committee to tell the story of the Elgin campaign:

"This has been my second occasion to attend the Branham meetings. It is my firm
conviction that in many ways this meeting excelled my first experience. As
someone so aptly put it, ’Never since the days of the great Chicago fire has
Elgin and its surrounding cities been so mightily stirred.’ For days after the
meetings came to a close, the subject seemed to be on the lips of everyone. A
great realization has also come to the Christians for the need of more men like
Brother Branham. The Spirit of God is undoubtedly rapidly preparing the Church
for its great exodus to Glory. That must be very soon.

"One cannot attend the Branham meetings without a sense of feeling what it must
have been like to be living in the days of the Apostles. Words fail to describe
the sudden burst of ecstasy and inexpressible awe that grips the people who for
their first time experience the power of God to heal and perform miracles. What
words can describe the experience of witnessing blind eyes being opened, deaf
ears unstopped, the dumb speaking their first words, the cripples walking,
crossed eyes straightened, and many other glorious sights.

"The sweet, unassuming and lovable character of Brother Branham so vividly
portrays the spirit of Christ that dominates his life. To see Brother Branham’s
great love for children would touch even the hardest of persons. For seldom
would a child with crossed eyes, blind, deaf or crippled pass by Brother Branham
without his arms embracing them and beseeching God to perform a miracle in their
little bodies; and in every instance to my knowledge God granted our brother’s
prayer with a miracle.

"The meeting in Elgin seems to have taken on the nature of many great camp
meetings rolled into one. The throngs which came from all over the United States
and Canada literally rocked this city. It reminded one of reading in the
Scriptures of the throngs that pressed about Christ in the days of His earthly
ministry.

"Another significant feature of the Branham meetings in Elgin was the
congregational singing and special numbers. Faith soared to new heights and the
blessings of God descended on the people as they worshipped the Christ in song.
Many received their healings in their seats and surrendered their prayer cards
without going through the prayer fines. Some of these were in the miraculous.
The special singing and music rendered by the students from the Great Lakes
Bible Institute at Zion, and other visiting evangelistic parties, deeply
enriched the meetings. The cooperation from all who served to make the meetings
a success was so characteristic of this great spiritual meeting." From Illinois,
we travelled on to TACOMA, WASHINGTON, April 12-17, 1948. Here again our Lord
worked wonderously through His Servant, who was nearing the end of his physical
endurance. Night after night Bro. Branham surrendered himself to God for the
people’s sake. So heavy was the Power of the Supernatural upon him, that he
would become physically weak. That God might be glorified and revealed to the
people, Bro. Branham perservered, moving on from Tacoma to EUGENE, OREGON. Here
we witnessed a continuation of proven Signs, Wonders and Miracles. At the
conclusion of this series of meetings it was absolutely necessary for Brother
Branham to return to his home for a protracted rest. We were priviledged indeed
to have been witnessing the "greatest" manifestation of God ever seen in the
earth since the days of our Lord Jesus Christ. But, oh, the price that one man,
William Branham, had to pay in physical and nervous exhaustion. As our Brother
left the field for rest the prayers of all the Saints were with him.

Formatedd by


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 19: 18-THE AMAZING HOUSTON COLISEUM
========================================================================

Chapter 18 THE AMAZING HOUSTON COLISEUM PHOTOGRAPH

After the wonderful deliverance from the nervous condition, Brother Branham, as
the year 1948 drew to a close, again returned to the field for a series of brief
campaigns. In November 1949, Brother Jack Moore and the writer received a
communication from Rev. Branham, asking if it were possible for us again to take
over the direction of his campaigns. And also, could we with Rev. Baxter make
the trip overseas with him to Scandinavia the following Spring? After prayer and
consideration we felt it to be the will of God in accepting Bro. Branham’s
invitation. From a personal standpoint we have always considered it a great
privilege to work with Rev. Branham. Brother Branham informed us that he had
only one meeting scheduled at that time--that was in Houston, Texas. He wanted
us to go to Houston and then after that take charge of all further arrangements.
As I was engaged in the task of preparing this book for publication and needed
to be near him during the time, I consented to go to Houston. The Houston
meeting started a little slowly. However, before it was over some very
remarkable things had transpired. It became apparent that our brother’s ministry
had, in some ways, developed greatly. This time he came not only with the ’sign’
in his hand and commanding power over devils, but NOW the very’secrets’ of the
heart were revealed. A new manifestation was evident before our eyes. In the
working of this new ’sign’, past events in the lives of people who came for
healing, were revealed. This was manifest in two ways. If those who came for
healing were devout Christians, things were told them of their past life which
would greatly encourage their faith, so that in many instances they would be
healed without one word of prayer. On the other hand, those who had slipped into
the prayer line without seeking right relations with God, or who were living
careless backslidden lives, and had committed sins which had not been sincerely
confessed to God, these were dealt with by the Spirit of God, right on the
platform. Sins would be called out, secrets of their hearts revealed, and in
practically every instance individuals so dealt with would immediately make a
broken and tearful confession. Usually then, the person would receive healing on
the spot. THE AMAZING PHOTOGRAPH

About midway in the Houston campaign, a very remarkable thing occurred that
proved to be a Divine vindication of Brother Branham’s ministry. A certain
hostile clergyman who opposed Divine healing, denounced the remarks of Rev. F.
F. Bosworth (who spoke during many of the day services) and issued a public
challenge through the newspapers, to debate with Rev. Bosworth on the subject of
"Divine Healing Through the Atonement." Rev. Bosworth felt led to accept the
challenge, and the whole matter was given front-page publicity in the Houston
newspapers. On the evening appointed as the meeting got under way, it was quite
apparent that the sympathy of the vast audience was almost entirely on the side
of the visiting evangelists. Large numbers of the members of the very
denomination of the opposing clergyman, stood to their feet as witnesses that
they believed in Divine healing and had in fact been healed. This sentiment
became increasingly evident throughout the service.

Now it so happened that the opposing clergyman had secured the services of Mr.
James Ayers and Mr. Ted Kipperman, professional photographers who were to take a
series of pictures of him while he was speaking. Incidentally, the photographer
after taking these shots, secured one picture of Rev. Branham, who spoke briefly
just before the service closed. When Mr. Ayers, one of the photographers, went
that same night to the darkroom of his studio, he decided to develop the
negatives that had been exposed. To his surprise every one of the negatives
turned out to be absolutely blank with the exception of the one which had been
taken of Rev. Branham. His surprise turned to amazement when he noticed that on
this negative, immediately over the head of Rev. Branham, was apparently a
supernatural halo of light. Mr. Ayers called the others of the studio to look at
the negative; but when they did so, each was equally puzzled and no one could
explain the presence of this halo. The following morning the photographer sent
word to Rev. Branham to inform him of the strange phenomenon that had occurred
in connection with the photograph he had taken the night before. Brother Branham
then explained to the young man that he was not greatly surprised. He testified
that just before the picture was taken he heard the Pillar of Fire descend into
the building with a sound of rushing wind. Of course this wasn’t the first time
for something like this to happen in our Brother’s Ministry. For example, while
at Camden, Arkansas, a photographer had snapped a picture of him and when the
film was developed it was found that a strange light encircled him, which, the
photographer pointed out, could not be accounted for by the lights in the
building. (That picture is published in this book.) Many other such things had
occurred in his ministry. The photograph taken at Houston was without a doubt
the most outstanding and spectacular of these supernatural manifestations,
because of the unique circumstances under which the photograph had been taken.

HOUSTON NEWSPAPERS REPORT THE MEETING The same morning that the photographer
brought the news of the strange phenomenon which appeared on the photograph, the
Houston newspapers carried full reports of the service on their front pages. (Of
course, at this time the newspapers had heard nothing yet about the photograph.)
It is interesting to note that Mr. Ayers, one of the photographers who had been
secured by the opposing clergyman, himself had made skeptical remarks - which
remarks were included in the reports by the newspapers. That the picture should
come from this photographer makes the whole matter the more astonishing, and
confirms its absolute authenticity, if indeed any more evidence were needed.

Below we include some greatly condensed reports of the meeting as they appeared
that morning in the Houston newspapers:

(FROM THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE, JAN. 25)

(CONDENSED)

"They lay on cots under the glare of the great lights of Sam Houston Coliseum
Tuesday night - the lame, the sick, the infirm, the ones whose hopes for
physical health had almost gone. They lay there quietly, some of them
uncomprehendingly, as the theological argument swirled about and above them. For
it was they who - Rev. F. F. Bosworth, an out-of-town evangelist, said - could
be cured of their infirmities by the divine healing power passed on through Rev.
William Branham, Rev. Mr. Bosworth’s partner. But Rev. W. E. Best, pastor of the
Houston Tabernacle Baptist Church, contended that any such "miraculous healing"
had ceased with the apostles. And he challenged Rev. Mr. Bosworth to prove
otherwise.

Rev. Mr. Bosworth, amid cheers and shouts of "amen" from the audience of 8000,
quoted numerous passages from various sources, which, he said, proved that
Christ died not only for the sins of man, but for physical sickness also. Over
and over again he quoted a Bible passage: "Christ took our infirmities and bore
our sicknesses." Each time he repeated it the crowds sent up a great shout, and
faint smiles broke out on the faces of some of those lying on the cots. The
audience could hear Rev. Mr. Best’s rapid-fire sermon, and they didn’t like
everything they heard. They didn’t like it when he said "I deny that any man
living today has the power and the gift to heal as the apostles did.

POLITE HEARING The Rev. Raymond T. Richey appealed to the audience to give each
speaker a polite hearing. His instructions were: "When you agree with the
speaker, say ’amen’ and when you disagree, say ’no." For nearly four hours, the
Coliseum rocked with "amens" and nos." When the Rev. Best made a point, the Rev.
Bosworth would rush to the microphone on the stage from which the speakers held
forth and dramatically ask those in the audience who had been cured through
faith to stand.

HUNDREDS RISE Each time hundreds would rise.

"How many of you are Baptists?" the Rev. Bosworth shouted. At least 100 stood
up.

"No man has the power to heal!" declared the Rev. Best. To Mrs. W. E. Wilbanks
of 712 Teetshorn, the Rev. Best misrepresented the slight, black-haired
Evangelist who has been preaching to crowds of 5000 nightly.

SHE’S A BAPTIST

"I’m a Baptist myself," said Mrs. Wilbanks. "Brother Branham does not claim the
power of Divine healing. It is simply that faith and the spirit of God working
through him that heals the people. Rev. Best is misrepresenting Baptist
sentiment in attacking Rev. Branham.

Ordinarily, the way the miracle cures are developed, persons in the audience
fill out cards which bear a number and their name. The Rev. Branham picks a
number and prays for the cure of that person. Occasionally, he selects a person
at random. Those attending are informed that it is possible they won’t be
reached during the evening for an individual prayer - but they come, night after
night, hoping that their turn will arrive.

WOMAN REBORN

Mrs. Mary Georgia Hardy, 708 Columbia, said she was "reborn three years ago,"
but that she first experienced the wonders of faith healing 18 years ago:

"After the birth of my second child, I was a nervous wreck, but faith healing
made me well and I’ve had two children since," said Mrs. Hardy, who attends the
Assembly of God Church at 18th and Ashland in the Heights.

Sitting next to her, Mrs. Gray Walker of 2501 Blodgett, pointed to her
four-year-old grandchild, Diane Cox.

SHE’S WELL NOW

"Diane was born with a clubfoot. A doctor wanted to put the foot in a cast but
our Assembly of God pastor, the Rev. J. C. Miner, suggested we try prayer. We
did. Gradually - over a period of weeks--the foot straightened out. Diane is
well now."

One week ago, during a general prayer by Rev. Branham, Mrs. W. E. Miller, who
lives on the Genoa-Almeda road, was suddenly cured of chronic sinus trouble, she
said. "I was simply praying for others when it happened." When the Rev. Best
shouted there were those "who used sorcery to bewitch people, so that people are
sincerely misled and say it’s the power of God," James Ayers, a commercial
photographer of 1610 Rusk, agreed.

"Branham puts on a show," said Mr. Ayers. "Somehow he never gets around to the
cripples and the persons who have arthritis. He simply hypnotizes his audience."

(Note: Mr. Ayres mentioned above in the Houston Press was the photographer who
hours later was to discover the supernatural light above Rev. Branham’s head on
the photograph.)

After conferring with Rev. Branham, the writer arranged for the negative to be
turned over to George Lacy, considered the greatest authority on questioned
documents in that area. Mr. Lacy then submitted the negative to exhaustive
scientific tests. Rev. Branham was certain that the negative was genuine but
considered it wise to have absolute scientific proof of its genuineness.

After a most thorough examination, Mr. Lacy gave a certified statement (which
has been photostatically reproduced in this book) that every test showed that
the negative was absolutely genuine, and had not been "doctored" or retouched or
been given a double exposure of any kind. Rev. Branham then gave the studios
permission to reproduce copies of the photograph; he insisted, however, that he
would take nothing personally from the returns of its sale, though he would
permit a certain percentage to be given for overseas missionary enterprises in
which he was interested.

Another remarkable development in connection with the phenomenon that appeared
on the photograph was the fact that independent testimonies came in from various
people, collaborating the fact that the supernatural light appeared over Brother
Branham’s head. Some of these testimonies came from those who at the time had
not yet learned about the photograph. A typical one is from Mrs. Grace Coursey,
Ruth 1:1-22, Box 108, Cleveland, Texas, who tells how a Catholic who witnessed
the light, was converted by it:

AMAZING CONFIRMATION BY CATHOLIC CONVERT OF THE SUPERNATURAL LIGHT

"I was sweeping the floor the other morning when a car came into the driveway at
our home on a farm 56 miles north of Houston. Being somewhat embarrassed at the
strewn state of my house, I said, by way of explaining to the strangers, that I
worked in Cleveland as a sales-lady six days of the week, and had been attending
the Branham revival many nights, so had not time to straighten my house. The
man, a stranger to me, had come in answer to an advertisement of our farm for
sale. When I mentioned the Branham revival, his countenance lighted up and he
said, ’We have been there, too.` This is what his wife told us:

Mr. Becker (the stranger) had been suffering with a terrible stomach condition,
violent cramping, etc. He took medicine every night. His wife’s mother read in
the Houston paper about Branham and his God-given gifts of healing, and she
asked Mrs. Becker to ask her husband to go and be prayed for. Mrs. Becker
doubted that he would go since he was a Catholic. She told him about it and he
said he would go.

Mrs. Becker was greatly disappointed when they arrived at the Houston Coliseum
and found the Baptist preacher (she is a member of the Baptist church) debating
with Brother Bosworth. She feared that her husband would not believe after
seeing this. Instead of being driven away from belief, Mr. Becker stated to us,
’I saw a light around Rev. Branham’s head when he was standing there on the
stage after the debate; it was not a flash bulb, it was a halo about his bead.`
When Brother Branham gave the altar call, Mr. Becker, who had always professed
very staunchly that he was saved, went up to accept Christ. His wife, thinking
he had misunderstood, asked him if he understood the proposition that had been
made. He replied, ’Certainly I do.’

"He automatically quit the habit of using God’s Name in vain. Mr. Becker went to
the two o’clock service next day and received a prayer card. His number was not
called that night but he was instantly healed in the mass prayer call.

"I did not know when I came here tonight to be in the service and tell this,
that a photographer had taken a picture of Brother Branham that same night that
Mr. Becker, the Catholic man, had seen the light around his head and believed he
was sent of God with a gift of healing."

Mrs. Grace Coursey - Jan. 30, 1950 - Ruth 1:1-22 Box 108 - C leveland, Texas.
From Houston the Branham party went to Beaumont, a city some eighty miles west.
After the first night the city auditorium overflowed with people, and on the
second night, two policemen and seven firemen were required to enforce the city
laws governing safety regulations in the building. Raymond T. Richey chartered a
train of eleven coaches which carried 700 people from Houston to Beaumont to
attend the Monday night service. Only part of them could find room in the
reserved section. Auditorium officials relented and permitted several hundred
who could not get into the building to stand on the back of the platform during
the meeting.

One of the interesting features of the campaign was the luncheon which nearly
one hundred ministers and their wives attended. Brother Branham spoke to them
briefly from his heart. He said that God had commissioned him to give a special
message to all believers, that they should forget their differences, and unite
themselves in oneness of mind and heart in preparation for the soon Coming of
Christ. All that were present gave solemn heed to what he said, as it was
evident that these words were the words of a prophet.

During the Beaumont campaign some 2000 came forward to confess Christ. About
3000 had responded to the altar calls in Houston; so that during those thirty
days, nearly 5000 had confessed Christ as their Saviour.

CAMPAIGNS IN ARKANSAS From Beaumont we went to Little Rock, Arkansas. Again we
were told a familiar story. Little Rock, spiritually, was a city so divided that
it would be impossible to hold a great union meeting there. It had been tried
before, but always failure had resulted. We were told to prepare ourselves for
disappointment. The campaign started in the middle of the week. But by Saturday,
lo, the Robinson Memorial Auditorium was completely full. On the last night,
which was Monday, the doors were shut at 6:30 P.M., and it was estimated at
least 1500 people were turned away. At noon on the last day, a special luncheon,
at which over 100 ministers and their wives gathered, breathed a spirit of unity
and fellowship that a week before no one dreamed would be possible. Of interest
were testimonies of those who had been healed when Brother Branham was there
some three years before. One man thrilled the audience with his testimony. For
years he had been on crutches. Then when Brother Branham had prayed for him, he
threw them away and walked unaided. He had been without them ever since that
time.

One incident was of singular interest to Brother Moore and the writer. At the
close of one of the services, as we were leaving the stage, a mother stopped and
pleaded with us to pray for her little boy who was about five years of age and
who was a deaf mute. She said she feared that Brother Branham would not be able
to get to him. Brother Moore looked at me and said, "Let’s pray for him." After
prayer we took him to the piano and satisfied ourselves that he could hear the
music and then walked off the stage. The next evening, during the healing
service, we looked and lo, the same woman and little boy came for prayer. She
had secured a card (which were given by lot), and decided to use it, thinking
that it would do no harm to bring the boy in the line again. Brother Moore and I
naturally were intensely interested to know what Brother Branham would say to
her as the Spirit of God spoke through him. As he looked at the child he said,
"Mother, your child ’has’ been deaf," which of course was correct. Then he
looked again and said words to this effect. "Someone who has faith in God prayed
for your child last night. Your child is delivered." You can imagine the effect
that this had upon the woman. It was true the child was hearing, and although at
this youthful age, when testing the degree of the hearing is always difficult,
yet he had already begun to show the fact of his deliverance by imitating
various sounds. The demonstration had a great effect upon the congregation. It
was plain that God was speaking, not man, and also that man was not the healer
but the Lord Jesus Christ.

Afterwards we talked to Brother Branham about the incident. He just barely
remembered the circumstances. God had spoken through him and revealed that
someone had prayed for the child but had not revealed who had prayed. That was
unimportant. What was important was that God had done the work, and to Him was
due all the glory. (Months later we received a letter from the mother of the
child confirming the healing. This was printed in THE VOICE OF HEALING.) From
Little Rock, we held two days services at El Dorado and two at Camden. Of
Brother Branham, we have only this to say. The scriptures in describing John the
Baptist said, "There was a man sent from God whose name was John." We believe
this statement can also apply to our beloved brother, William Branham.


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  CHAPTER 20: 19-THE AMERICAN PRESS REPORTS
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Chapter 19 THE AMERICAN PRESS REPORTS On "The Branham Meetings" In recent years,
few consecrated ministers of the Gospel have received much favorable publicity
from the press. What they have received, if any, has usually been of a
derogatory character. Nevertheless, many newspapers have taken time and space to
describe, often favorably, the healing campaigns of William Branham. It would be
too much to expect that every newspaper would give sympathetic reports.

Often reporters who attend such meetings come with their minds already made up,
and stay only long enough to draw up an extremely sketchy report, which they
intersperse with a worldly-wise and subtly cynical ridicule. However, it appears
that in the Branham campaigns, interest has been of such an intense nature, that
reporters have stayed in the services long enough to become at least partially
convinced of what they have seen and heard. In a number of cases, a very
generous and fair account of the meetings has been given. Only occasionally has
a report appeared completely skeptical. In this chapter we shall give sketches
of the Branham meetings, from accounts appearing in various newspapers of United
States and Canada. The first one appearing below was published in the Waukegan
NEWS-SUN of March 14, 1949:

"During the three days Rev. Branham has preached, scores have claimed to have
been healed. Every case of crossed eyes which was prayed for was straightened
before prayer ceased; many cripples and badly twisted bodies were straightened
and deaf people were able to hear.

"At last night’s service, a young boy paralyzed in arms, legs and back, twisted
out of shape was brought by his mother from Bensenville, Illinois, and was
prayed for. Immediately after prayer, he walked straight and steadily from the
platform without aid.

"Two women, who had been entirely blind with cataracts for two years, were
healed at the same service. After being led to the platform then prayed for, the
first was able to see and walk - and as her husband said, ’Even those bloodshot
veins in her eyes were cleared up.’" The same reporter, Fannie Wilson, writing
in the Community News, a paper representing several cities north of Chicago, of
date-line March 24, 1949, said:

"The main difference between Rev. William Branham and most everyone else is: to
them the Bible is ancient history; to him it is just as vital and positive a
force now as in the days of Jesus of Nazareth. What makes the story different is
that Rev. William Branham proceeds to prove his contention.

"Not that he contends. Far from it. Rev. Branham is more humble than all the
humble men you have ever seen put together. (Can you imagine a white man, born
in Kentucky, lifting a little cross - eyed negro child from Market Street,
Waukegan, in his arms and saying, ’Daughter, be healed in the Name of Jesus
Christ’?) And her eyes had become straight, even as many others had, during this
service of healing and revival meetings held in the Grace Missionary Church.
Among those prayed for Monday night was a prominent Waukegan physician.

"During the Monday night service alone, nine people were healed after being born
deaf and dumb. Most of these were born in this community or were known here
previous to their healing. One of these deaf-mutes was healed of blindness also.
All became able to speak, although the sounds were similar in tonal quality to
those of a child. They also seemed surprised to hear their own voices.

"One man who had come from Iowa had a cancer on his leg from the knee to the
ankle, which disappeared immediately after prayer. In last night’s meeting
children with paralysis, spastics and those suffering from mental deficiency
recovered after prayer.

"Many important and respected people of Lake County heard and saw Brother
Branham "diagnose" numerous diseases. Most of all, the individual for whom he
was to pray saw the effect of the disease created on the minister’s left hand,
until the illness was stopped after his prayer.

"The audience was reminded many times by the speaker that he himself did not
have the power to perform these healings, but that they were ’acts of God’
through the faith of the individual prayed for." THE ALBERTAN

CALGARY, CANADA

August 21, 1947

"A panorama of human emotions was unveiled by some 3000 citizens who packed
Victoria Pavilion Wednesday night to witness or receive help from William
Branham of Jeffersonville, Indiana, in his faith healing campaign.

"The U.S. minister’s reputation of having helped to heal over 35,000 people of
blindness, lameness, cancer, polio, T.B., and other sicknesses since he was
imparted the ’gift of Divine healing’ about a year ago attracted men, women and
children of every walk of life.

"One of the first in the prayer line was a Mr. Andre of Edmonton, who said he
was suffering from ’a protusion of the disc in the spine.’ He claimed to have
been to scores of doctors in Western Canada, and also to the Mayo Brothers at
Rochester. They said an operation of the spine was necessary, he stated.

"Then Andre, who told the ALBERTAN he could not remember when he was last able
to touch his toes without bending at the knees, was approached by ’the divine
healer.’

"Taking Andre’s right hand in his left hand, Branham described the man’s
ailment, and after prayer, told him to bend over and touch his toes. Andre did
so, without bending his knees. A gasp went up from the huge throng, and with a
rush of voices, the crowd gave vent to their combined surprise and admiration.

"The Edmonton man, wracked with emotion, breathed a simple thanks to the
minister before rushing to the microphone to tell the audience how doctors had
told him an operation would be necessary for his back.

"The minister claimed to have a mysterious vibration in his left hand by which
he was able to distinguish cancer, T.B., and other germs." THE SASKATOON
STAR-PHOENIX

CANADA

August 2, 1947

"Miss M-- B-- who spent ten years in school for the deaf here and in Winnepeg,
said, ’Daddy’ and ’Mamma’ quite clearly after she had been prayed for by Rev.
William Branham, in the Apostolic Church Wednesday evening where 800 persons had
gathered to witness ’healing through faith.’

"Miss B--, interviewed by the STAR-PHOENIX Friday, said that she could hear
quite well with her right ear but the left ear was still deaf. She believed that
she would be able to speak normally within a short time. Her landlady said that
she had been saying ’Good-morning’ and ’Good-bye,’ something she had not done in
the three months she had been staying with her.

"While the congregation sat still with bowed beads, the hundred people to be
cured filed past Mr. Branham as he prayed for them each in turn. The
congregation was told that entire belief and reverence were necessary, and all
must bow their heads. Those who did not were asked to leave the church.

NOTE: Bro. Branham, in some, but not all services requested that people bow
their heads because in the realm of sickness he was dealing with evil spirits.
Bowing their heads in faith and reverence was to prevent the evil spirit from
coming back to them once it was cast out of the one being prayed for. There have
been cases where evil spirits were cast out on the platform, only to go into the
congregation on someone else. - Web site editor.

"Prior to Mr. Branham’s arrival, the congregation heard from other speakers who
told of the marvelous work already being done through faith. One woman testified
that she had been prayed for and the following morning her one deaf ear was
again normal, and several other minor ailments had vanished. One of the speakers
mentioned a woman from Regina, who had been able to bear only a liquid diet for
months, but the morning following prayer for her, she arose and enjoyed a normal
breakfast." THE JEFFERSONVILLE POST Jeffersonville, Indiana (BRANHAM’S HOME
TOWN) November 3, 1949

"A crowd Sunday night that vied with the annual game between the Jeffersonville
Red Devils and the New Albany Bulldogs attended the Branham Tabernacle at Eighth
and Penn Streets, overflowed and stood in the rain to hear via loud speakers,
divine moving manifestations of the Rev. William Branham, whose healing miracles
are known internationally.

"From authentic sources comes the report of the healing of two cancer patients,
who were told of a deathly sickness and recovery within ninety days; a person
told to walk who had been confined to a wheel chair for eighteen years; of
another carried to the church on an ambulance stretcher; of the deaf made to
hear, all by a man who heals by the laying on of his right hand in the name of
his Divine Maker.

"According to many, the day of miracles has not yet passed - even in
Jeffersonville.

"From a struggling young man, who worked on a job during the day, and proclaimed
the gospel on Sunday, his own faith was such to surmount all obstacles. He still
suffers ridicule in some instances in his home town, from scoffers, who should
do him honor as one chosen by the Supreme Being to carry on His work.

"Although not educated, as education is considered today, he has the ability and
earnest fervor necessary in the presentation of the gospel. His Divine healing
power today is known internationally. From Jeffersonville he will travel to
Louisiana, Houston, Texas, possibly Jamaica, and then overseas."

Many other newspapers, including the CHICAGO DAILY TIMES, the CHICAGO DAILY
NEWS, the ST. LOUIS STAR-TIMES, the ST. LOUIS POST- DISPATCH, carried
interesting and even lengthy reports of the Branham meetings, the latter paper
giving almost a full page. Not all of these reports were written as endorsements
of the campaigns. Yet most of them at least were not hostile, and some, as far
as newspapers go, were favorably impressed. In most cases, where the reporter
had opportunity to actually witness the demonstration of cases healed, he was
convinced that there was a supernatural power being manifest in the meetings.
THE EVENING SUN Jonesboro, Arkansas Reporter: Eugene Smith

June 12, 1947

"Although Rev. Branham claims to have received the gift some 11 months ago, he
said in the interview that it was the first time he had ever had the opportunity
to tell his story directly to the reporters. ’My daily services take up so much
of my time that the church managers have asked me to refuse interviews with
newspapers. They always have said, "You have so many seeking aid through your
prayers; to publicize your presence through the papers would only add to the
overcrowded prayer lines," they explained.’

"A visit to the Bible Hour Tabernacle on East Matthews will bear out his
statement that his claims need no publicity. Last week the prayer lines, in
which he prayed individually with the sick, paralyzed, deaf, dumb and blind,
were held twice daily. This week three services are held each day. And he will
never be able to get through the long list before the meeting closes Monday.

"People are pouring into town daily to beg for ’just one minute with Rev.
Branham.’ One day this week a bus loaded with 45 persons from Fulton, Kentucky,
was present. The same day a chartered plane brought in a 34-year-old ex-GI,
swollen horribly from cancer, which was sapping his life. Wednesday, Rev.
Branham flew to El Dorado on a whirlwind trip to pray for a person who was
reported near death.

"Residents of at least 25 states and Mexico have visited Jonesboro since Rev.
Branham opened the camp meeting June 1. They represent states from California to
New Jersey, Michigan and Wisconsin to Florida, Wyoming to Texas and on down to
Mexico, the SUN reporter was told. The tremendous turnouts have overflowed local
tourist courts and many private homes nightly, also a special dormitory has been
set up in the rear of the church.

"Rev. Branham says, ’I am just a man. I have no power of healing. Jesus Christ
is the only one that can heal. I pray to Him to heal those that believe. No one
can be healed who does not have faith in Jesus Christ,’ he explained.

"Detecting the type of ailment of those coming to him is another power claimed
by Rev. Branham. ’When they put their hand in my left band, I receive vibrations
caused by the germs in the person. I can usually tell what the disease is. When
the disease leaves the person, the vibrations stop,’ he stated. When Rev.
Branham completes a prayer for a person, he usually finishes by saying, ’I
adjure thee by Jesus Christ, leave this person.’

"Rev. Branham began a rigorous schedule last summer in St. Louis. He came to
Jonesboro next, visited Pine Bluff and Camden, then went to Houston and on to
the West Coast. He will fly to California next week to administer to an
Armenian.

"Since his October visit, Rev. Branham has shown the effects of the daily
routine. He has lost 25 pounds and his eyes are very hollow and deep set. ’I
have to keep my place of residence a secret in order to get any sleep at all,’
he said smiling.

"The total attendance for the services during the two-weeks period is likely to
surpass the 20,000 mark by Sunday, church officials state. For two days this SUN
representative attended the afternoon services and spent a morning listening to
Rev. Branham’s story. Milling through the masses, talking to numerous people
from widely scattered areas, not one skeptic was encountered. Many told stories
that hardly seemed possible.

"For instance, M. N. Funk, a shoe builder from Seymour, Missouri, said he had
not walked for five years and five months until he attended a service conducted
by Rev. Branham at Camden, January 21. ’I lay in a hospital for nine months
after falling and injuring my spine, while doing some carpentry work. Doctors
told me that I would never walk again, and for five years and five months I
didn’t. I know its hard to believe, but Brother Branham prayed for me and I got
up and walked immediately. And I can walk just as good as you or anybody else
today,’ he said.

"C. C. Shepherd, pastor of the Pentecostal Church of St. Charles near De Witt,
showed to the assembly Monday afternoon, a calloused wad of skin-like substance
which he said was a cancer which had plagued him for 14 years. He was prayed for
by Rev. Branham on Tuesday last week. He said the cancer on his neck, the result
of a razor cut, was red when he went on the platform, but immediately began to
turn dark. ’It just got black, dried up and came out,’ he said. He had a deep
pit in his neck where the growth had been.

"Mrs. Hattie Waldrop, who said her husband owned a plumbing shop at 2851 North
16, Phoenix, Arizona, came all the way to Jonesboro to testify that Rev. Branham
had brought her back from the dead. ’My pulse had stopped completely. I was
suffering from cancer of the colon, heart and liver trouble with no hope of
getting well, when Brother Branham prayed for me on March 4. Today I am well and
healthy,’ she told the reporters."

(Bro. Gordon Lindsay has talked personally with this Mrs. Waldrop and her
husband and confirmed her testimony to be the truth.)

Formatedd by


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  CHAPTER 21: 20-GIFTS OF HEALING PLUS
========================================================================

Chapter 20 Gifts Of Healing Plus This chapter in the book "A Man Sent From God"
which was written by Bro. F. F. Bosworth, has been omitted and replaced with
More Than Spiritual Gifts by Bro. Gerald A. Lush. The purpose was to ’update’
the material in the ’Light’ of the Mystery of God which has been revealed in
this Age through His Servant and Prophet, Bro. William Branham.

Much of what Bro. Bosworth wrote has been incorporated into the new chapter. In
updating the material absolutely no disrespect is intended. The publishers of
this Web Site greatly respect and honor the memory of our Bro. Bosworth. But we
felt it necessary to ’update’ some of the information in light of the fact that
Bro. Bosworth did not live to see all that God did through Brother Branham. In
the ’progressive unfolding’ of that ministry we have come to understand, through
Bible prophecy, the significance of a Ministry that included more than Spiritual
gifts. We encourage you to follow the above link to more fully understand what
we mean when we say, "MORE Than Spiritual Gifts".


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  CHAPTER 22: 21-VISIONS WITNESSED BY WILLIAM BRANHAM
========================================================================

Chapter 21 Visions Witnessed By William Branham Transcribed From Tape Recordings
The purpose of writing these visions is for the glory of God, and His son Jesus
Christ. They were shown to me by His Holy Angel and it is not for any
self-praise that they are written. I have been asked by many to write them, and
I have taken it upon my heart to relate a few of them. They are very sacred to
me.

Some of these visions required time for their fulfillment. But always they came
to pass just as they were shown to me. It makes my heart very humble to think
that the Almighty would show His servant these things. I tell these things that
people may believe on Jesus Christ, and be saved by believing.

VISION I Building The Ohio River Bridge The first vision that I remember seeing
was when I was about seven years of age. This vision perhaps did not have the
great spiritual meaning that the subsequent ones had, as I was so very young I
could not have understood it. But it was God giving me the first glimpse of the
working of this particular gift, by which I have seen many things happen before
they were fulfilled. In this vision, which came to me when I was playing with my
brother, I saw a large bridge being built across the Ohio River, and a number of
workmen falling off of it. I saw just how it was constructed and where it would
be. This seemed impossible then, but later it came to pass just as it was shown
to me.

VISION II Warning Against Spiritualism


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  CHAPTER 23: 22-THE OVERSEAS TRIP
========================================================================

Chapter 22 THE OVERSEAS TRIP TO SCANDINAVIA For nearly three years invitations
had been coming to Brother Branham to conduct a series of healing meetings in
the Scandinavian countries. Various circumstances had hindered him from making
such a journey, although from the beginning he felt assured that these calls
were of God. In January, 1950, at the time that the writer rejoined the party,
Brother Branham asked him to make arrangements for the trip to Finland. This was
a step of faith, as at that time there was no money available for the passage
(air tickets one-way were $2200 for a party of five) and in fact, because of
certain recent circumstances Brother Branham had some unexpected obligations to
meet. Nevertheless, in campaigns held during February and March, the Lord
provided sufficient funds to meet these obligations and to secure air
reservations for the entire party. Early in April, the party (which included
besides Brother Branham, Rev. J. Ern Baxter, Rev. Jack Moore, Howard Branham and
the writer) upon concluding three days of services at Glad Tidings and Manhattan
Center, in New York City, prepared to leave for Europe.

April 6, 1950 On this date at three o’clock in the afternoon, the party boarded
the large overseas airliner, Flagship Scotland, and took off for London,
England. It was on April 6, 1909, that William Branham was born. April 6, 1917,
was the day that America relinquished her historical isolationism and entered
the European War. Historians tell us that it was on April 6, in the year 30 A.D.
that Christ died on the Cross. Perhaps the members of the party might be excused
for thinking that April 6, is a day of significance.

Moving along over the Atlantic at better than 300 miles per hour, and at an
altitude of over 20,000 feet, the plane which carried the party landed on the
following mid-morning at the Northolt Airport near London. Several days were
spent in visiting historic buildings and shrines of the world’s largest city.
The climax of the party’s stay in that great metropolis was the visit to
Wesley’s chapel. While there we also saw the Wesley residence, entering last of
all the room in which John Wesley prayed every morning at five A.M. Before
leaving, we all knelt down and had prayer. It was a moment not to be forgotten.

After two days in Paris, which was spent visiting the historic landmarks, we
continued our journey to Finland via a Scandinavian airliner. On the 14th of
April, we landed at Helsinki where we were met by several ministers including
Pastor Manninen, who had given us the invitation, and Sister May Isaacson, our
American-born interpreter, whose knowledge of the Finnish language contributed
greatly to the success of our meetings in Finland. The first service at the
Messuhalli witnessed a crowd of 7000 in attendance. After that, several thousand
waited outside all afternoon, standing in a line four deep and a half mile long,
so that they might be assured of a seat in the largest auditorium in Finland.

She Only Touched His Coat

During a five day interlude, when the auditorium could not be obtained, the
party went north to Kuopio which is not far from the Arctic Circle. Faith was
very high in this city and some marvelous miracles took place. One of these was
the healing of little Veera Ihalainen, a war orphan, whose photograph is shown
elsewhere in this book. She was marvelously delivered from wearing a brace and
using crutches, after she had in faith touched the coat of Brother Branham as he
passed by.

Two or three evenings the people just passed by and Brother Branham said a brief
prayer for each one. By the time that each service was over there was a
good-sized pile of crutches and canes which had been discarded. Brother Baxter
spoke at the afternoon services, and his messages were received with great
interest. Brother Moore and the writer took the morning services, and prayed
especially for the deaf mutes and the blind. As many as seven or eight were
healed at a time, one after another. One boy learned words so fast that he was
used as an interpreter to communicate with the others who were prayed for. One
incident that highly intrigued the audience was that the deaf mutes when their
ears were opened could learn English words as fast as Finnish.

One event, which will never be forgotten by the members of the party, and which
happened while they were at Kuopio, was the raising to life of a child that was
run over and killed in an automobile accident, the circumstances of which had
been shown to Brother Branham in a vision two years previous. The writer had
recorded the vision in the ’fly-leaf’ of his Bible. We shall let Pastor Vilho
Soininen, of Kuopio, relate this remarkable incident:

"On Friday afternoon a remarkable and startling incident took place which meant
much to Brother Branham and to those of us who happened to be its witnesses.
Three carloads of us made an unforgettable trip to nearby Puijo Observation
Tower situated on a beautiful scenic elevation. The outing was one of the most
precious I can remember, because of the blessing of God upon us. Then as we were
returning from Puijo, a terrible accident occurred. A car ahead was unable to
avoid striking two small boys, who ran out into the street in front of it,
throwing one down on the sidewalk, and the other five yards away into a field.
One unconscious boy was carried into a car just ahead of us and the other, Kari
Holma, was lifted into our car and placed in the arms of Brother Branham and
Miss Isaacson who were sitting in the back seat. Brothers Moore and Lindsay were
in the front seat with me.

"As we hurried to the hospital, I asked through Miss Isaacson, the interpreter,
how the boy was. Brother Branham, with his finger on the boy’s pulse, answered
that the boy seemed to be dead, since the pulse did not beat at all. Then
Brother Branham placed his hand over the boy’s heart and realized that it was
not functioning. He further checked the boy’s respiration and could detect no
breath.

Remembering the vision, he asked Bro. Lindsay to look in the ’fly-leaf’ of his
Bible and see what the vision said about ’a little boy being raised from the
dead’. It was discovered that the description of the boy in the vision was
exactly like the boy placed in Bro. Branham’s arms. Then he knelt down on the
floor of the car and began to pray. Brothers Lindsay and Moore joined in prayer,
too, that the Lord would have mercy. As we neared the hospital, about five or
six minutes later, I glanced back, and to my surprise, the boy opened his eyes.
As we carried the boy into the hospital, he began to cry, and I realized that a
miracle had taken place.

"The other boy had been brought in a little earlier and was still unconscious.
As I was taking my guests back to their hotel, Brother Branham said to me, ’Do
not worry! The boy, who was in our car, will surely live.’"

"At that time Brother Branham had no assurance that the other boy would live,
but on Sunday evening he assured me on the basis of a vision which he had seen
early Sunday morning, that he, too, would live. At the exact time that Brother
Branham was telling me this at his hotel, the boy lay dying at the hospital.
(For an account of the vision which told of the other boy being healed follow
the link to The Other Boy. The boy, who was in my car, Kari, was dismissed from
the hospital in just three days.

"In the Friday evening service Brother Branham told us about the vision which he
had seen in America two years ago, and which had been fulfilled that afternoon
when he had prayed for the dead boy. Two years previous he had told the vision
to thousands in America. Now it was fulfilled. Brother Branham’s coming to
Kuopio was in the eternal plan of God! We of the Kuopio Elim Assembly wondered
why the Lord was so good to us that He granted to just us the gracious privilege
of receiving His servant." The night we left Kuopio a great crowd of people
assembled at the station and sang in their usual minor key, the beautiful
Finnish songs. As the train pulled away from the depot, the singing gradually
died away, but the pleasant memories of the days spent in Kuopio will not be
soon forgotten.

SIX HUNDRED YARDS FROM THE "IRON CURTAIN"

Returning to Helsinki Brother Branham continued services for several more days
in the Messuhalli. One morning we ventured out to the edge of the "Iron
Curtain." At one point we were only six hundred yards from the Red soldiers. The
Finnish guard surrounded our car and warned us that this was no place to be. We
were glad to return to our hotel. The Communist element strongly opposed our
meetings, and indeed demanded our arrest. A former Chief of Police of Kuopio, a
very influential man, was present and intervened for us, and we were permitted
to continue the services without interruption. Three days were spent in resting
at the close of the campaign, in a castle owned by a wealthy Christian lady. We
were treated as kings while there.

However, when the Moscow news broadcast was turned on one evening, we were
startled by the announcement (interpreted for us) which declared that American
spies were operating under guise in Helsinki. We knew to whom the Moscow radio
was referring, and were by no means elated over the notoriety which was being
given us. In the case of a sudden outbreak of hostilities, we knew that all
gates of exit would be closed immediately, with Russian guns only ten miles from
the capital.

Once a rumor was circulated that a break had come between America and Russia,
over the shooting down of an American plane by the Soviets. It proved to be only
a rumor, but it kept us uneasy. Fear dominates Europe, and most of the Finnish
people know that it is only a matter of time until the dam of Communist power
will sweep over the boundaries, and push the world into the throes of
Armageddon.

MINISTERS OF FINNISH STATE CHURCH ACCEPT HEALING On the day that we left
Finland, we received a special letter from one of the ministers of the State
Church, informing us that there had been a mass meeting of the ministers of the
church, and that after considerable discussion, the body under the inspiration
of the Branham meetings, had voted to accept the ministry of healing.

Brother Branham wrote in reply a letter of thanks and encouraged the brethren to
believe God for mighty things within their ranks. Though we were given to
understand that the whole group who had gathered had voted to accept the truth
of Divine healing, we knew that did not necessarily mean that every minister in
the State Church had endorsed it. That some opposers might later appear might be
expected, but the overwhelming sentiment in favor which appeared in the letter
we received that last morning was indeed encouraging to us, and made us feel
that our journey to Finland had not been in vain.

NORWAY

After a last farewell to our kind friends in Finland, we boarded a plane and two
hours later were in Oslo, Norway. There we found a similar interest among the
people. Unfortunately, there had been reaction in the government circles against
the ministry of Divine healing. The Health Administrator had clamped down with a
ban against praying for the sick, and we being foreigners, knew that the moment
we should disobey this prohibition we would be expelled from the country.

Nevertheless there was an unexpected and remarkable result of the ban. The
city’s ministerial group in a mass protest meeting of two hundred ministers
"took only one minute to literally shout their unanimous agreement that protest
should be made." The following protest was then drawn and signed by some of the
most illustrious names in Norwegian religious life. To the Norwegian Government
Oslo

Sirs:

Healing through faith and prayer is an inherent part of the Gospel, and is as an
anchor in the life and work of Jesus Christ. Throughout the ages this doctrine
has had a firm position in the commonwealth Of Christian life and preaching. The
Christian population of Norway principally stand as one man in this matter, even
if details and ways of procedure may differ in churches and countries. The
undersigned, therefore, vividly regret the measures taken by our authorities and
form a protest against the prohibitive regulations given, endeavoring to
exercise censorship over Christian preaching. This procedure is of a nature to
offend fundamental human rights in a free country, and disputes the principle
worship.

We suggest that the prohibitive restrictions be immediately repealed, imposed by
act of the Oslo Chamber of Police.

Oslo, May 5th, 1950.

NAMES OF PROTEST COMMITTEE

H. Asak-Christiansen, General Secretary of the Norwegian Baptists. Eivind
Berggrav, Bishop of the State Church. O. Hallesby, Professor and noted author.
Ludvig Hope, Chief Secretary for the Salvation Army in Norway. J. B. Jarnes,
Vice-Chairman of Evangelical Churches Fellowship. Nils Lavik, Member of
Parliament and Vice-President of the West Norwegian Home Missionary Society. Dr.
Alf Lier, Chairman of the Non-conformist Parliament and President of the
Methodist Conference. Thv. Storbye, Chairman of the Evangelical Preacher’s
Fellowship. Alf Bastiansen, District Minister of the State Church. Daniel
Braendeland, Editor.

NEAR THE LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN From Norway we went to Sweden, where several
services were held at Gotenburg, one night at Jonkoping, and then for five days
at Orebro where is located the famous Evangelipress, which sends out a steady
stream of Christian literature. A crowd of five thousand attended the first
service which was held open-air in the park. Our stay in Orebro was in all ways
very pleasant and we trust profitable. From Orebro, the Branham party went north
to Ornskoldsvik which lies only a short distance south of the Arctic Circle.
Some 6000 people, it was estimated, jammed in and around the tent. It was said,
and we have reason to believe that it is true, that this was the largest
religious gathering in the history of the world, near the Arctic Circle.
Although at that time it was yet in the middle of the month of May, it was
sufficiently light at midnight to take a picture of the tent! From Ornskoldsvik,
we traveled south to Stockholm where is located the largest Pentecostal Church
in the world of some 6500 active members and a Sunday School of about 5000. Our
visit with Brother Lewi Pethrus and his son, Oliver, who was our interpreter
while there, was a highlight of our stay in Stockholm. Utterly unassuming in
appearance, yet endowed with wisdom by which he has guided to a great extent the
fortunes of the Full Gospel movement in Sweden during the past forty years,
Brother Lewi Pethrus charmed all of us as we listened to him in private
conversations, as was our privilege on two afternoons.

Brother Pethrus has a simplicity of faith and yet a spiritual shrewdness that
has enabled him to build on strong foundations, until today the Full Gospel work
in Sweden is renowned throughout the world. Brother Branham’s ministry was
well-received in Stockholm, and indeed when it came time to leave, Brother
Pethrus expressed the hope that Brother Branham would find it possible to return
again soon to Sweden. And so the trip overseas came to a close. Brother Branham
and all of us had enjoyed our stay in Europe, but we must admit that we were
glad when our giant airliner took off from the Stockholm field, and we began our
journey home.

HOME AGAIN When our plane landed safely at Idlewild the following morning, it
was with happy smiles that the members of the Branham party put their feet once
more on American soil. Brother Branham was back in America. The Scandinavian
trip was now history.

Eagerly he looked forward to a well-earned rest and a vacation trip in the
mountains. Soon however, he would be back again to continue to preach and
minister in the great summer campaigns, and to finish the course that God had
given him, knowing that the Lord would keep him from every evil work, and
preserve him unto His Heavenly Kingdom. As Daniel of old, he would rest and
stand in his lot at the end of the days.


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Source: https://sermonindex.net/books/lindsay-gordon-william-branham/
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