'Jesus Is Amongst Us'
Tears, Shouts Punctuate Evangelist's Healing Rally
By JOE JAMELE
"It's true. It's true. Every word he says is true."
The man holds a small, 6-year-old boy in his arms, raised for the audience to see.
"Hallelujah. Jesus is amongst us."
"Hallelujah. Amen."
A woman sobs. One cries out hysterically.
"I believe. I believe."
Hands are raised in the air. People rise from their seats. All eyes are focused on the man speaking from the stage.
William Branham, "a man sent from God," is performing the evening healing ceremony as the second of a three-day evangelistic revival draws to a close in Burlington Memorial Auditorium.
More than 400 persons listen as Branham speaks.
Outside, it is raining.
"You're wonderful people," he says.
"You're deep thinkers. I love you. We're brethren."
Branham stops.
"Let us pray. I'm just a preacher. Illiterate, uneducated. But God has given me a way to communicate with you."
He turns to the audience, hands uplifted.
"Do you believe?"
Hundreds of hands are thrown into the air.
The healing ceremony is about to begin.
"I'm tired, Lord. Homesick. Wonder how much longer I can travel. That's up to you, Lord. Keep my body strong.
"The weapons are in the hands of the enemy. At any minute it could all be over. In one more night I'll be gone from here, perhaps never to return. That's up to you, Lord."
Branham stops and concentrates on the audience.
"The Lord is amongst us," he shouts.
"I see a lady in the audience. She's got eye trouble. Suffers from epilepsy. Lady, you're cured. Just have faith."
The woman leaps to her feet, crying hysterically.
"You feel better, don't you, lady?"
"Yes! Yes! Hallelujah." A tremor runs through the audience. There are visible traces of excitement and expectancy on all faces.
Many, aloof before to Branham's entreaties, now raise their hands.
"Do you believe?" he cries.
The majority answers:
"We believe."
Branham concentrates, points to a young man in the first row. "Stand up," he cries.
The man gets to his feet.
"You're worried. You have a boy with a heart condition. He's been operated on. The doctors feel he's incurable."
The man trembles. With a great burst of emotion he cries, "It's true. Every word."
He lifts a tiny 6-year-old boy, bewildered, half asleep, so the audience can see him.
"He's just been operated on in a Boston hospital. I'll show anyone who wants to see the scar on his back. Believe this man, he speaks the truth."
"Don't worry about your boy," Branham says. "Have faith."
"Do you believe?" he cries.
The audience, now at fever pitch, answers as a man.
"I believe."
An old couple, seated in the rear of the auditorium, hesitate, then slowly rise to their feet and begin to walk toward the preacher. Others leave their seats and crowd the front of the stage.
Many remain in their seats, overcome with emotion, handkerchiefs over their faces. Some stand with their hands raised, eyes tightly shut, waiting for some sign.
In the background, the soft tones of a hymn come from the piano on stage.
Outside, it is raining.