Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-08-28
HE is INSPIRED.
Rev. John B. Branch's Church
of the True God.
A Rival of Rev. Mr.. Sanford, Whom
He Tries to Convert.
Claims Power 10 -WaterviiIe's STRANGE
But Earnest Exhorter.

out. Waterville will have a Temple of
the Living God" in which the membe, S
Will live together in common. The
strange religion is similar to that which
guides the followers of Rev. F. w.
Sandford but, according to Mr. Branch
is 1000 points ahead Of the doctrine
taught by Mr.. Sandford.
Already % converts have been made
to the strange faith and although the
meetings are now being held in Il pri-
waite home, the disciples having been
forbidden the use of the Oakland Street
SChoolhouse where the meetings We're
held, tent has arrived which will be
! shortly erected. Later it is the inten-
| ton to erect 4 church or temple.
| The disciples of Mr. French-he
makes a vigorous protest against be
| ing called Rev. John Il. Branch for he
says God alone is reverend. and to sup
port his statement quotes. Reverend
ana holy shall be His name''-have
taken no thought as to the source from
which the funds necessary to erect the
| temple will come. as they believe God
will send the resources.
Mr.. French was born in this city. but
has lately returned from the West,
where he was employed in shovel
handle factory. lie has been here six
weeks, and during this time has pro-
claimed himself as the Messiah, the
only true prophet of God. In an inter
view he has stated his position.
1t was The Rev. John i. Branch him
self, who answered the knock at the
door Of his home and in reply to the
request Of the Journal reporter said
that he would be only too glad to tell
Of his teachings that have caused SO
much talk from their being unusual,
among the people on the Oakland road.
Not for myself" he said but for the
glory or God. blessed be His holy name.
whose ambassador and chosen one |
am"
In appearance Rev. Mr.. Branch is
man of perhaps So years. Although of
rather below the usual height his min
| isterial suit cut after the fashion Of
| that of an Episcopal clergyman, gives
| him an Unusually bearing. The effect
of his high broad forehead is that Of
man Of the highest intellectual pow
ers The pallor of his skin heightened
| by his black full beard. streaked with
grey in places shows that he has Of
| late spent but little of his time out of
| doors. That he does take some out of
door recreation was shown by his state
| ment during the interview, that ne had
| Just returned from berrying eXpedi
| ton.
His clothing. neat and showing great
care is entirely devoid of ornament.
| The steel grey serge suit has a coat
| of the Prince Albert pattern but with
not the slightest roll of the collar
which when buttoned comes close
around his throat His vest is of a
similar pattern. Every part Of his
wearing apparel is entirely devoid Of
ornament. Instead Of gold collar and
sleeve buttons there is nothing but the
most severe bone the idea of simple
| ity and abstinence from ornament
being carried out in even this small de
tail with his watch guard there is a
similar simplicity.
A gold crowned front tooth is the
only suggestiveness of ornament. This
tooth, the Rev. Mr.. Branch says, has
been the subject Of much thoughtful
mediation and prayer. He has serious
~ thought of having it extracted on
account of it's being ornamental. When
about to take that step he arrived at
the conclusion that the gold was for
utility. since no other metal would take
the place of the gold for durability, and
therefore stayed his determination.
II believe" he said, launching into
the interview. that the Apostolic
church as founded 1900 years ago is to
Ia 1cI, 7 haIi
God had to choose some one and has
chosen me to do the work.
The complete gospel is not now be-
ing taught by any one church. Each
church of the present day is teaching
parts that all are teaching the true
doctrine as it was revealed by Christ
and has been revealed by Christ and
has been revealed to me and is being
taught by me. You see my point. 1t
is like a great machine. The compo-
nent parts are perfect and when as
sembled 10 their work The parts OF
the chursai have not yet been assem-
bled in ore church, that one church is
TO be established by God through me.
God has revealed these various truths
To me and me alone who is to be the
Christian teacher.
People .psk why God has chosen
such q yo ng men? tMr Branch is
about 35 years of age). Ny answer is
that God usually chooses young men to
do his work. Jesus Christ and John
the Baptist were both young men. God
choseA young men as they are more
energetic and have more life. People
think | am assuming great deal. John
the Baptist assumed great deal when
he began his work.
There are great many small things
that we must attend to, before we can
reach that perfection. The matter of
simplicity in dress is one thing. I have
thought over the matter of shaving. 1
know that if God had not wanted
boards on our faces the hair would not
grow there Therefore none of the
brothers shave. Neither do the women
! wear their hair on the top of their
(Continued on page %