Branford Edward Clarke (March 18, 1885 – July 7, 1947) was an Evangelical preacher, poet and artist who promoted the Ku Klux Klan through his art which was drawn for the Pillar of Fire Church and their publications.

Biography

He was born on March 18, 1885, in London, England. His brother was a Member of Parliament. In the 1920s he converted a Model T into a mobile chapel. He was pastor of the Pillar of Fire Church in Brooklyn, New York, for at least several years. From about 1925 to 1928 he illustrated numerous religious and political publications for the Pillar of Fire Church in partnership with Bishop Alma White, the church's founder and leader. Many of his illustrations supported Bishop White's writings by attacking various minorities including Catholics, Jews, and US immigrants and by promoting the Ku Klux Klan, and women's suffrage. He died on July 7, 1947, and was buried in the Pillar of Fire cemetery in Zarephath, New Jersey. His epitaph reads "The Cross he bore, through years of service bound, on yonder shore in recompense is found, The Crown."

Artwork

Books

Periodicals

Hymns

Several of Clarke's poems were set to music by his wife Esther and published as hymns in the Pillar of Fire's Cross and Crown Hymnal. Some of Branford Clarke's hymns include: Tell Me of the Love of Jesus, Everything Will Work Out Right, God Keep Me Strong, Prayer Changes Things, Calling Again and Again, Take Heart, and Yonder Shore. Yonder Shore Life may have clouds, but when I think of Jesus The sun breaks thro' its radiance to outpour And far away I hear the song of angels Singing, singing, singing on yonder shore. There is a cross that every one must carry Long a thorned path whose toils will soon be o'er Then at His feet shall we lay down our burdens With the fair immortals on yonder shore. While trav'ling on to that eternal haven Here in the heart can be fair Canaan's door Thro' which the love of Jesus softly stealing Fills the soul with glory from yonder shore. There is a death, but it is only mortal The soul lives on and on for evermore. How wonderful to dwell for aye with Jesus Ever and forever on yonder shore. Chorus Singing on that shore Singing on that shore Hark, I hear them singing Singing, ever, singing on yonder shore.

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