Branham Snubbed by Gordon Lindsay, Jim Jones Becomes Key Figure in the Message
Continued thanks and appreciation for the diligence of our researchers as we sift through the treasure trove of "missing" publications and sermons found in the archives. The research data collected that is currently being analyzed when aligned with the statements made by William Branham, is starting to tell a much different story than history has recorded. It was formerly believed that Jim Jones needed William Branham to kick-start his career at the Cadle Tabernacle in 1956. As it turns out, William Branham needed Jim Jones to salvage his. Jones was quickly turning into a key figure in "The Message", and if not for a scandal involving Branham at an event Jones hosted in 1957, would likely have become one of Branham's campaign managers.
Continued thanks and appreciation for the diligence of our researchers as we sift through the treasure trove of "missing" publications and sermons found in the archives. The research data collected that is currently being analyzed when aligned with the statements made by William Branham, is starting to tell a much different story than history has recorded. It was formerly believed that Jim Jones needed William Branham to kick-start his career at the Cadle Tabernacle in 1956. As it turns out, William Branham needed Jim Jones to salvage his. Jones was quickly turning into a key figure in "The Message", and if not for a scandal involving Branham at an event Jones hosted in 1957, would likely have become one of Branham's campaign managers.
This subject matter is very complex with many moving parts. We have added a new research section entitled "Brotherhood Healing Crusade", the name that Jim Jones gave first in the series of conventions that boasted William Branham as the main speaker. Additional research will be published as it is processed and verified.
New Research section:
https://william-branham.org/site/topics/brotherhood_healing_crusade
...
Jim Jones called his first convention with William Branham in 1956 at the Cadle Tabernacle in Indianapolis the "Brotherhood Healing Crusade", which is critical to understanding the connection between Jim Jones, William Branham, Joseph Mattson-Boze, and the future changes that came to Peoples Temple after working with Branham. Its official name was "The Second Annual International Christian Fellowship Convention".[1] Interestingly, "Brotherhood" was the name used to collectively describe the Disciples of Christ denomination that Jones would later join. Officially, the convention was named after "The Voice of Christian Fellowship", one of two publications combined to form Joseph Mattsson-Boze's Herald of Faith.[2] This convention was created to compete with The Voice of Healing after William Branham's campaign team abandoned him.
In March 1953, William Branham was scheduled to hold a revival in Connorsville, IN,[3] near the Gospel Assembly Jones frequented at Richmond.[4] Branham's campaign manager, Ern Baxter, was also scheduled to attend that revival but had recently parted ways with Branham.[5] According to Branham, there was a strong division among the campaign leadership,[6] but Baxter later admitted that the fruits of Branham's teaching ministry were not good.[7] Baxter decided to part ways with Branham, and apparently, several others did the same including Gordon Lindsay. Though Branham was scheduled to speak at the December 1953 Voice of Healing Convention in Chicago, and many people came to the convention to hear Branham, the convention leaders issued Branham an ultimatum and ultimately denied William Branham from speaking.[8]
Throughout 1954, Joseph Mattsson-Boze publicly fought with The Voice of Healing team using his The Herald of Faith magazine. Mattsson-Boze sent "An Open Letter to the Voice of Healing" demanding Branham's former campaign team to answer for their rejection of Branham.[9] Lindsay responded, though indirectly in an article in The Voice of Healing,[10] leading to a publicized battle between the two organizations.
In this article, the editor of The Voice of Healing brings out the thought that The Voice of Healing's policy is never to fight other groups. It is hard to believe that the editor of The Voice of Healing thinks that the Herald of Faith is fighting The Voice of Healing just because we ask an open question.
- Joseph Mattson-Boze
Branham was mysteriously absent from the 1954 lineup of evangelists at the Voice of Healing Convention in Philadelphia, PA.[11] In 1955, Branham's name was mentioned at the 7th Annual Voice of Healing Convention in Dallas, TX with a disclaimer: "(May Be Present).[12] During the convention, Branham chose to be in San Fernando, CA.[13]
The timeline of Branham's tension with his campaign managers coincides with the timeline of Jim Jones' formation of the Peoples Temple. On April 4, 1955, Jones registered the Wings of Deliverance, Inc., in the State of Indiana, and it was this religious entity that became Peoples Temple.[14] Shortly after, Jones announced that William Branham would be coming to Peoples Temple,[15] Joseph Mattson-Boze began touring with Jones at revival meetings,[16] and plans were made to start a competing series of conventions under the name "Christian Fellowship Convention". Peoples Temple began advertising the Christian Fellowship Convention as the "Brotherhood-Healing Crusade", June 11 to 15 at the Cadle Tabernacle.[17] The Voice of Healing magazine gave the competition very little real estate on their pages for advertisement. Branham was listed only in the schedule, and only as a speaking engagement — not an international convention of ministers.[18]
The name that Jones gave the convention, combined with the transition of Peoples Temple, the advertising strategy of Joseph Mattson-Boze, the official name of the convention, and critical events in Branham's timeline, form a puzzle that paints a clearer picture. The "Brotherhood" was another name for the Disciples of Christ denomination that Jones and Peoples Temple would later join. Joseph Mattsson-Boze would begin advertising Branham's upcoming "Chicago Convention" hosted in Chicago by Jim Jones[19] on the cover of his Herald of Faith Newsletter,[20] and begin publishing articles written by both William Branham and Rev. Glenn Parton.[21] Parton was also a co-editor for the Herald of Faith[22] and founder of The Voice of Christian Fellowship[23] for which the new series of faith healing conventions was named.
Tensions would continue to rise between William Branham, Jim Jones, Joseph Mattsson-Boze, and the Voice of Healing evangelists. When Branham was chosen as the main speaker of the June 1957 Christian Fellowship Convention in Indianapolis, an open letter condemning Branham was circulated among the evangelists.[24] Jones would ultimately part ways with William Branham, mentioning that many of the evangelists in the movement (including Branham) were financially motivated.[25] Branham would continue working with Joseph Mattsson-Boze and Glenn Parton, headlining future annual International Christian Fellowship Conventions.[26] This would suggest that Jones' conversion to the Disciples of Christ was the result of both the influences of Joseph Mattson-Boze and Gleen Parton, combined with the schism that formed as a result of William Branham's heretical doctrine.
References
[1] The 4th annual convention was 1958, making 1956 the 2nd. See: Attend the 4th Annual International Christian Fellowship Convention. 1958, Jun 15. Greenville News. "The 4th annual convention was 1958, making 1956 the 2nd. See: Attend the 4th Annual International Christian Fellowship Convention. 1958, Jun 15. Greenville News."
[2] Herald of Faith. 1957, May. "1957/05 Herald of Faith Successors to the Latter Rain Messenger Major J. D. Pinkerton, William Kitchen, Paul E. Tanner and The Voice of Christian Fellowship founder Glen R. Parton D. D Successors to the Latter Rain Messenger Major J. D. Pinkerton, William Kitchen, Paul E. Tanner and The Voice of Christian Fellowship founder Glen R. Parton D. D."
[3] Plan Old Fashioned Revival. 1953, Mar, 5. "1953/05/03 Plan Old Fashioned Revival A union community-wide old fashioned revival will be held at the Roberts park amphitheater May 31 through June 10 by Rev. Wiliam Branham of Jeffersonville and Rev. W. J. Ern Baxter of Vancouver, Canada A union community-wide old fashioned revival will be held at the Roberts park amphitheater May 31 through June 10 by Rev. Wiliam Branham of Jeffersonville and Rev. W. J. Ern Baxter of Vancouver, Canada."
[4] The "Full Gospel Origins of Peoples Temple. Accessed. 2021, Nov, 15. Jonestown. Accessed 2021, Nov, 15 from https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=92702. "2021/15/11 The "Full Gospel Origins of Peoples Temple. Accessed"
[5] Branham, William. Demonology, Physical Realm. 1953, Jun, 8. Demonology, Physical Realm (53-0608A). "1953/08/06 Demonology, Physical Realm William Branham This is the first time I've ever did it in any of my meetings since I've been on the field. This is a new time. Brother Baxter is gone; and—and Brother Bosworth's in India, or, Africa; and Brother Baxter, I don't know where he's at. He's gone somewhere, and the rest of them's out and gone. And Billy and I are here alone, so we're just having a great time: just rise, slaying and eating"
[6] Branham, William. Demonology, Physical Realm. 1953, Jun, 8. Demonology, Physical Realm (53-0608A). "1953/08/06 Demonology, Physical Realm I love my management. I have some lovely brethren, Bosworth, Baxter, Lindsay, Moore, all, has got five of them, Baron von Blomberg. They're just very fine men. But there's just something about, when you get a group of men together, one has one thing, one has another. Sometime that's contrary to what I think myself. So I—I—I feel like I'm just free now William Branham I love my management. I have some lovely brethren, Bosworth, Baxter, Lindsay, Moore, all, has got five of them, Baron von Blomberg. They're just very fine men. But there's just something about, when you get a group of men together, one has one thing, one has another. Sometime that's contrary to what I think myself. So I—I—I feel like I'm just free now."
[7] Baxter, Ern. "New Wine Interviews Ern Baxter", Christian Growth Ministries, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, pp. 4-7, 22-24. "I think there can be a lesson in this. Branham, as a miracle worker, had a real place. Branham as a teacher was outside of his calling. The fruits of his teaching ministry are not good. Ern Baxter". "Baxter, Ern. "New Wine Interviews Ern Baxter", Christian Growth Ministries, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, pp. 4-7, 22-24. "I think there can be a lesson in this. Branham, as a miracle worker, had a real place. Branham as a teacher was outside of his calling. The fruits of his teaching ministry are not good. Ern Baxter"
[8] Mattsson-Boze, Joseph. (As J.D.M.B). An Open Letter to the Voice of Healing. 1954, Mar. The Herald of Faith. "1954/03 Mattsson-Boze, Joseph. (As J.D.M.B). An Open Letter to the Voice of Healing The questions we have asked The Voice of Healing concerns the great injustice that was done to Rev. William Branham in The Voice of Healing Convention in Chicago during the month of December. Rev. Branham was invited to address the Convention. He was announced, and people anticipated his coming. However, when arriving at the Tabernacle, Rev. Branham was denied the privilege of addressing the Convention unless he would bow to the ultimatum given him"
[9] Mattsson-Boze, Joseph. (As J.D.M.B). An Open Letter to the Voice of Healing. 1954, Mar. The Herald of Faith. "1954/03 Mattsson-Boze, Joseph. (As J.D.M.B). An Open Letter to the Voice of Healing"
[10] Mattsson-Boze, Joseph. (As J.D.M.B). An Open Letter to the Voice of Healing. 1954, Mar. The Herald of Faith. "1954/03 Mattsson-Boze, Joseph. (As J.D.M.B). An Open Letter to the Voice of Healing In the February issue of The Voice of Healing there is an article which possibly could be interpreted as an answer to our article, though it by no means says so. In this article, the editor of The Voice of Healing brings out the thought that The Voice of Healing's policy is never to fight other groups. It is hard to believe that the editor of The Voice of Healing thinks that the Herald of Faith is fighting The Voice of Healing just because we ask an open question In the February issue of The Voice of Healing there is an article which possibly could be interpreted as an answer to our article, though it by no means says so. In this article, the editor of The Voice of Healing brings out the thought that The Voice of Healing's policy is never to fight other groups. It is hard to believe that the editor of The Voice of Healing thinks that the Herald of Faith is fighting The Voice of Healing just because we ask an open question."
[11] Hear the World's Greatest Evangelists. 1954, Oct. The Voice of Healing. "1954/10 Hear the World's Greatest Evangelists"
[12] Attend the 7th Annual Voice of Healing Convention. 1955, Nov. The Voice of Healing. "1955/11 Attend the 7th Annual Voice of Healing Convention"
[13] Branham, William. A Hidden Life in Christ. (In San Fernando, CA). 1955, Nov, 10. A Hidden Life in Christ. "1955/10/11 A Hidden Life in Christ. (In San Fernando, CA) William Branham A Hidden Life in Christ. (In San Fernando, CA)"
[14] The "Full Gospel Origins of Peoples Temple. Accessed. 2021, Nov, 15. Jonestown. Accessed 2021, Nov, 15 from https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=92702. "2021/15/11 The "Full Gospel Origins of Peoples Temple. Accessed Full Gospel Origins of Peoples Temple. Accessed 2021, Nov 15 from https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=92702. "Jones had created his own business entity registered in the State of Indiana as Wings of Deliverance, Incorporated, on April 4, 1955 Full Gospel Origins of Peoples Temple. Accessed 2021, Nov 15 from https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=92702. "Jones had created his own business entity registered in the State of Indiana as Wings of Deliverance, Incorporated, on April 4, 1955."
[15] Peoples Temple Full Gospel. 1956, Jan, 21. Indianapolis Star. "1956/21/01 Peoples Temple Full Gospel The Temple will be host to William Branham soon The Temple will be host to William Branham soon."
[16] Eastern Fellowship Convention. 1956, Apr, 21. Morning Herald. "1956/21/04 Eastern Fellowship Convention Speakers: Rev. James Jones, Peoples Temple, Indianapolis, Ind. Rev. Joseph D. Mattson Boze, Philadelphia Church, Chicago Illinois Speakers: Rev. James Jones, Peoples Temple, Indianapolis, Ind. Rev. Joseph D. Mattson Boze, Philadelphia Church, Chicago Illinois."
[17] Peoples Temple. 1956, Jun, 2. the Indianapolis News. "1956/02/06 Peoples Temple the Indianapolis News. "Remember! Temple will be host to the Great William Branham Brotherhood-Healing Crusade the Indianapolis News. "Remember! Temple will be host to the Great William Branham Brotherhood-Healing Crusade."
[18] Salvation-Healing Campaign Schedules of the Voice of Healing Evangelists. 1956, ay. The Voice of Healing. "Salvation-Healing Campaign Schedules of the Voice of Healing Evangelists. 1956, ay. The Voice of Healing."
[19] Branham, William. Father, The Hour Has Come. 1956, Oct, 2. Father, The Hour Has Come (56-1002A). "1956/02/10 Father, The Hour Has Come Happy to see, today, is our host pastor, Brother James Jones, from Indianapolis, back there. So happy, and the brother from Spindale, also; Brother Winston Hare from California. I believe just as looking, I seen Brother Sothmann here was last from—from up in Canada, where we just had the great meeting up there William Branham Happy to see, today, is our host pastor, Brother James Jones, from Indianapolis, back there. So happy, and the brother from Spindale, also; Brother Winston Hare from California. I believe just as looking, I seen Brother Sothmann here was last from—from up in Canada, where we just had the great meeting up there."
[20] Chicago Convention September 30 - Oct 7: William Branham. 1956, Sep. Herald of Faith. "1956/09 Chicago Convention September 30 - Oct 7: William Branham"
[21] ex: Parton, Glenn. Rest Home Progressing. 1957, Dec. Herald of Faith. "1957/12 ex: Parton, Glenn. Rest Home Progressing"
[22] Herald of Faith. 1957, May. "1957/05 Herald of Faith Co-editors: A. W. Rasmussen, Glenn R. Parton"
[23] Herald of Faith. 1957, May. "1957/05 Herald of Faith The Voice of Christian Fellowship Founder Glen R. Parton, D.D The Voice of Christian Fellowship Founder Glen R. Parton, D.D."
[24] Christian FELLOWSHIP convention Replies to 'Open Letter' to William Branham. 1957, Jul. The Voice of Healing. "1957/07 Christian FELLOWSHIP convention Replies to 'Open Letter' to William Branham"
[25] Q612 Transcript. Accessed. 2021, Jun, 22. Jonestown. Accessed 2021, Jun, 22 from https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=27492. "2021/22/06 Q612 Transcript. Accessed Some are listening. They won't tell you the truth, because the black book is the easiest gravy train that they've ever been on. Yet Allen [A.A. Allen, Pentecostal evangelist] came to me, Oral Roberts [Pentecostal evangelist] spoke this, Billy Graham came right to us – Ijames [Archie Ijames], Jack [Jack Arnold Beam], and me – in Claypool Hotel, said I don't believe a thing in that Bible hardly. But he said, it's the way to make a living. Billy Graham, who I prophesied his death, Billy Branham rather, said his head would be— I said he'd lose his head. His head was cut off in Texas. [Editorial note: The reference is to William Branham, an evangelical preacher and acquaintance of Jim Jones during the Temple's Indianapolis days. Branham died in an automobile accident on Christmas Eve 1965 in Texas, but was not decapitated.] He said you can't preach the truth about that Bible, he said (tape cuts out about three seconds) preach reincarnation, you cannot preach the truth about the Bible, you will be in trouble. I said, I choose to treat th— preach the truth. He said, well, I'll be around, while you will be in trouble. Well, I'm still here, and his head is cut off from his body Some are listening. They won't tell you the truth, because the black book is the easiest gravy train that they've ever been on. Yet Allen [A.A. Allen, Pentecostal evangelist] came to me, Oral Roberts [Pentecostal evangelist] spoke this, Billy Graham came right to us – Ijames [Archie Ijames], Jack [Jack Arnold Beam], and me – in Claypool Hotel, said I don't believe a thing in that Bible hardly. But he said, it's the way to make a living. Billy Graham, who I prophesied his death, Billy Branham rather, said his head would be— I said he'd lose his head. His head was cut off in Texas. [Editorial note: The reference is to William Branham, an evangelical preacher and acquaintance of Jim Jones during the Temple's Indianapolis days. Branham died in an automobile accident on Christmas Eve 1965 in Texas, but was not decapitated.] He said you can't preach the truth about that Bible, he said (tape cuts out about three seconds) preach reincarnation, you cannot preach the truth about the Bible, you will be in trouble. I said, I choose to treat th— preach the truth. He said, well, I'll be around, while you will be in trouble. Well, I'm still here, and his head is cut off from his body."
[26] ex: Attend the 4th Annual International Christian Fellowship Convention. 1958, Jun, 15. Greenville News. "1958/15/06 ex: Attend the 4th Annual International Christian Fellowship Convention Hear Rev. William Branham nightly -- 7:30 PM -- Textile Hall Hear Rev. William Branham nightly -- 7:30 PM -- Textile Hall."