I walked into that Branham-Baxter meeting in Calvary Temple, Los Angeles,
loving God and His blessed Word, leaning on my crutches that had been my
"buddies" – my helpful comrades for 59 of my 66 years as a cripple – seven
of those years spent on bed; I walked out that night of February 8, leaving
my crutches on the platform – the song of deliverance ringing in my heart
in happy consonance with the shouts of victory from those who thronged about
me – their tears of rejoicing crystal with the light of the skies...
(During the service)...I sat entranced, still praying for "appropriating
faith," but holden, somehow, of that contact – and that contact with the
Lord sixty odd years ago. Others were being healed all around me. Then Brother
Branham lifted his hands saying: "Everyone lay your hands on your loved
one as we pray." A great volume of prayer ascended throughout the audience
of more than three thousand... Just then Brother Branham, exhausted, was
carried from the platform. Brother LeRoy Kopp, Calvary Temple’s golden-
hearted pastor, came back to the pulpit and said: "Brother Branham says
the Congressman is healed." My heart leaped. I stepped out and accepted
the Lord as my Healer. I laid aside my crutches and started toward the startled
pastor and my happy, shouting wife – the bottom of heaven fell out!
This is an excerpt from a poem Mr. Upshaw wrote in regards to his healing:
...Then the Lord sent William Branham
Ern Baxter at his side,
With the ministry of healing,
In Calvary’s crimson tide!
Thank God, I caught the vision –
My praying wife was there,
Wrapping my every effort
In sweet prevailing prayer!
Then suddenly, Calvary Temple
Was lit with Heaven’s flame –
I threw away my crutches
And walked in Christ’s dear name!
I trust the "Great Physician" –
New Testament in hand –
I proclaim to all the people
In this and every land,
That Christ who brought salvation
When I was a wicked boy,
Now brings the boon of healing
And fills my soul with joy!
Sixty years ago, plus seven,
Since my new heart He gave,
And I rejoice to testify
His wondrous power to save!
"Yesterday – Today – Forever!"
Christ, thank God, the same
My Saviour and my Healer –
Oh praise His matchless name!
As from the grave in triumph,
He rose above the sod,
He lifts the trusting, clinging soul
Up to almighty God
- Wm. D. Upshaw