The Man From Windsor
In August of 1949, William Branham held a series of meetings in Windsor, Ontario. Along with the spreading of Branham's "faith healing" fame, critics like James Randi[1] were also making waves as they questioned Branham's "healing" power. Not surprisingly, a letter was submitted to the editor of the Windsor Star appealing to those who might have otherwise been skeptical of Branham and his claims.
In August of 1949, William Branham held a series of meetings in Windsor, Ontario. Along with the spreading of Branham's "faith healing" fame, critics like James Randi[1] were also making waves as they questioned Branham's "healing" power. Not surprisingly, a letter was submitted to the editor of the Windsor Star appealing to those who might have otherwise been skeptical of Branham and his claims.
Coming to Windsor this Sunday (August 21) is Rev. William Branham whom God is using in praying for the sick. No building is large enough to hold the crowds that come wanting to be prayed for. Many hundreds are turned away daily. Bro. Branham couldn't heal a sick headache, but God can. He prays the prayer of faith and the Lord does the healing. He is only an instrument in the hands of a great and wonderful God. I have been to his meetings and have seen the Lord make crippled legs straight, heard a small boy, eight or nine years of age, blind, shout for joy, "I see, I see" Cancers disappear; T.B. People are healed; hopeless bed-ridden people jump from their beds and shout praises to God. Now can anyone say, I don't believe it? If so, come to the Windsor Arena August 21 to 25 and see for yourselves. Bring your sick, your blind, and your deaf ones. Come believing, get rid of your sin and God will heal your bodies. He never fails.
- "A BELIEVER" Both well, Ont. [2]
At the same time, William Branham introduced a story into his stage persona which appears to have been an attempt to halt the critics. Branham claimed that a certain pastor who questioned his abilities in the Windsor meeting attempted to expose the reason behind his use of "prayer cards". Branham alleged that the man wrote a disease on his "prayer card" that he did not have, and was struck to the floor by God. [3] This was a story that would continue in various forms throughout different versions of Branham's stage persona.
In 1953, William Branham claimed they man wasgiven the disease he wrote (Tuberculosis), [4] which he would suffer with for the rest of his life. In 1956, Branham claimed that the man did not fall to the floor. Instead, heran screaming. [5] In 1957, Branham claimed that the man died a year later. Parts of the recording were missing or unintelligible. [6] Later in 1957, Branham claimed that the man also got cancer, and that he did not die. He was still alive, in critical condition. [7] In 1958, Branham claimed the man got cancer, not tuberculosis, anddied six months later.[8] The next month, Branham claimed that the man did not run screaming or die, he wasstruck down paralyzed and was still alive.[9] In 1961, Branham claimed that the man was not alive, but died six weeks later.[10]