Who Was William Branham?
William Marrion Branham (April 6, 1909 – December 24, 1965) was a prophet of God, and historians consider him the father of the great healing revivals of the 1940s and 1950s.Lacking formal education, William Branham defied what most thought was possible when he came from the poverty-stricken backwoods of Kentucky to traveling the world and preaching the Gospel. Directed by an angel*, William Branham preached and prayed for millions of people worldwide.
Shunning popularity, he took a stance against denominational spirits that would divide and hinder the Body of Christ. His ministry was to turn the hearts of the children back to the faith of the apostles (Mal. 4:6). "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8) was his battle cry, and God vindicated his servant thoroughly. However, behind all the signs and miracles was a bigger work - God was restoring His Word.
THE PILLAR OF FIRE PHOTOGRAPHED
In Houston, Texas, in January of 1950, an amazing photograph was taken by the Douglas Studios. In the photograph, there appeared a halo-like Light above the head of Rev. William Branham. The negative was taken to George J. Lacy, Examiner of Questioned Documents for the FBI. His department was asked to determine whether or not the light could have been the result of improper exposure, developing or retouching. This investigation served to completely authenticate the fact that the unusual brightness was definitely caused by a light striking the negative. Mr. Lacy was quoted as saying, "Rev. Branham, you will die like all other mortals, but as long as there is a Christian civilization, your picture will live on."
It was January 1950. The place was Houston, Texas, USA; and God, would once again confirm and vindicate the life and Ministry of William Branham.
As usual remarkable supernatural signs and wonders occured in the services. This time he came not only with the 'sign' in his hand and commanding power over devils, but now the very 'secrets' of the heart were revealed according to Hebrews 4:12. Not one time did this fail.
In the prayer lines, Brother Branham, under the anointing would tell the people of their past life which would greatly encourage their faith, so that in many instances they would be healed without one word of prayer. Sins would be called out, secrets of their hearts revealed, and in practically every instance individuals so dealt with would immediately make a broken and tearful confession. Usually then, the person would receive healing on the spot.
A skeptic, Rev. W. E. Best who opposed Divine healing became hostile against Bro. Branham and Rev. F. F. Bosworth (who spoke during many of the day services) teaching on the subject of Divine Healing. The hostile clergyman issued a public challenge through the newspapers, to debate with Rev. Bosworth on the subject of "Divine Healing Through the Atonement."
The sympathy of the vast audience was almost entirely on the side of the visiting evangelists. Large numbers of the members of the very denomination of the opposing clergyman, stood to their feet as witnesses that they believed in Divine healing and had in fact been healed.
The opposing clergyman secured the services of Mr. James Ayers and Mr. Ted Kipperman, professional photographers to take a series of pictures of him while he was speaking. After taking several photos of Rev. W. E. Best the photographer snapped only one picture of Rev. Branham, who spoke briefly just before the service closed.
When developing the negatives, Mr. Ayers found that everyone was blank with the exception of the one which had been taken of Rev. Branham. Incredibly on this negative, immediately over the head of Rev. Branham, was apparently a supernatural halo of Light. No one in the studio could explain the presence of this halo.
Brother Branham said, when he was told of this, that he was not greatly surprised because just before the picture was taken he heard the Pillar of Fire descend into the building with a sound of rushing wind. This wasn't the first time for something like this to happen in Brother Branham's ministry.
While at Camden, Arkansas, a photographer had snapped a picture of him that also had a light encircling him, which, the photographer pointed out, could not be accounted for by the lights in the building. Many other such things had occurred in his ministry.
After conferring with Rev. Branham, Gordon Lindsay arranged for the negative to be turned over to George Lacy, considered the greatest authority on questioned documents in that area. Mr. Lacy then submitted the negative to exhaustive scientific tests. This is the only supernatural Being ever photographed and documented authentic.
George J. Lacy
Former Head: F.B.I. Laboratories
Examiner Of Questioned Documents
Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
REPORT AND OPINION
Re: Questioned Negative January 29, 1950
On January 28, 1950 at the request of Rev. Gordon Lindsay, who was representing Rev. William Branham of Jeffersonville, Indiana, I received from the Douglas Studios of 1610 Rusk Avenue in this City, a 4 x 5 inch exposed and developed photographic film. This film was purported to have been made by the Douglas Studios of Rev. William Branham at the Sam Houston Coliseum in this city, during his visit here the latter part of January, 1950.
REQUEST
Rev. Lindsay requested that I make a scientific examination of the aforesaid negative. He requested that I determine, if possible, whether or not in my opinion the negative had been "re-touched" or "doctored" in any way, subsequent to the developing of the film, that would cause a streak of light to appear in the position of a halo above the head of Rev. Branham.
EXAMINATION
A macroscopic and microscopic examination and study was made of the entire surface of both sides of the film. Both sides of the film were examined underfiltered ultra-violet light and infra-red photographs were made of the film.
The microscopic examination failed to reveal retouching of the film at any place whatsoever by any of the processes used in commercial retouching. Also, the microscopic examination failed to reveal any disturbance of the emulsion in or around the light streak in question.
The ultra-violet light examination failed to reveal any foreign matter, or the result of any chemical reaction on either side of the negative, which might have caused the light streak, subsequent to the processing of the negative.
The infra-red photograph also failed to disclose anything that would indicate that any retouching had been done to the film.
The examination also failed to reveal anything that would indicate that the negative in question was a composite negative or a double exposed negative.
There was nothing found which would indicate that the light streak in question had been made during the process of development. Neither was there anything found which would indicate that it was not developed in a regular and recognized procedure. There was nothing found in the comparative densities of the highlights that was not in harmony.
OPINION
Based upon the above described examination and study I am of the definite opinion that the negative submitted for examination, was not retouched nor was it a composite or double exposed negative.
Further, I am of the definite opinion that the light streak appearing above the head in a halo position was caused by the light striking the negative.
Respectfully submitted,
George J. Lacy.
