Herald of Truth
The Herald of Truth was W. E. Kidson's Pentecostal publication and a key early platform for William Branham, listing Branham as associate editor as early as 1947, advertising his healing campaigns, publishing his revival schedule, and using the phrase "The Voice of Healing" before Branham later launched a competing magazine under that name; the May 1947 issue is especially important because it places Branham inside UPC-connected publishing and revival networks, contradicts later claims that he was merely Baptist, uneducated, or illiterate, and preserves evidence of missing campaign stops from the year Branham's healing ministry was being organized, marketed, and mythologized.
The Herald of Truth was the official publication of W. E. Kidson's ministry and affiliated ministries. The magazine was first released in 1945,[1] the year Kidson claimed that Branham received his "angelic" commission.[2] As early as 1947, William Branham was the associate editor for the publication.[3]
It should be noted that later versions of Branham's stage persona would claim to have only a seventh-grade education[4] and to be illiterate,[5] and that the Herald of Truth was not the only magazine that Branham published or edited.
I was just reading here…How many of you…I know. I know you haven't got the Herald of Truth. This, Reverend Kidson, where are you at? You've never issued this yet, have you? This is the new Herald, Herald of Truth.[6]
The May 1947 issue of Herald of Truth is significant when considering the alterations to Branham's history and stage persona. The Herald of Truth was a recognized newsletter for the Pentecostal Church, Incorporated, which had recently merged with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ by the time that Branham was an associate editor for Kidson's magazine.[7] This would make Kidson, at the time, a ranking member of the UPC and Branham his assistant. Yet later versions of Branham's stage persona claimed to be Baptist.[8]
Branham claimed that "The Voice of Healing" publication received its name when a "voice" spoke to him.[9] Kidson advertised Branham's revivals, however, in a section of the Herald of Truth entitled "The Voice of Healing". It appears that William Branham stole the name from Kidson and started his own competing publication.
The May 1947 issue of Herald of Truth also lists Branham's revival schedule. According to the issue, Branham's schedule for 1947 was:
- Jonesboro, Arkansas, T. Richard Reed, pastor, June 1-15.
- Vandalia, Illinois, J. H. Reeter, pastor, June 22-29
- Louisiana, Missouri, July 1 and 2.
- Winnipeg, Man., Canada, Frank Small, pastor, July 12-20
- Saskatoon, Sask, Canada, R. E. S. Tomas, pastor, July 27-Aug. 3.
- Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, H. C. Allcock pastor, Aug. 7-14
A majority of the revivals from 1947 appear to be missing from Branham's sermon index.
After William Branham's second year of revival tours through Canada, William Branham started his own publication, The Voice of Healing, using the title from Kidson's articles advertising his revivals.