Alexander Bedward was known in Jamaica and different parts of the world as the 'Prophet'. Bedward was credited for performing acts of healing through the 'healing stream'. However, after organising a procession on the Liguanea Plain he got in trouble with the law.

Published Tuesday, November 11, 1930

Alexander Bedward Famed As ‘Prophet’, Has Passed Away

Alexander Bedward, who for some years was an inmate of the Jamaica Mental Hospital, and for fully a score of years won island fame as the 'prophet of August Town’, died on Saturday last.

The body was removed in the afternoon to August Town where the interment took place on Sunday afternoon, the remains being followed to the grave by an enormous gathering.

For fully two decades, the name of Alexander Bedward was known throughout the length and breadth of Jamaica, his fame as a 'prophet' extending beyond these shores to Cuba and the Spanish Main. At one time his followers were legion: men, women and children were brought from all parts of the island to be dipped in the 'famous healing stream', and eventually the 'prophet' announced that he intended to take a serial flight – where to was not known. The occasion was one that will long be remembered in the St Andrew village.

Thousands of persons flocked to see the 'flight', to see the 'master', like Elijah, go up in a chariot of fire, but Bedward remained anchored to the earth. Subsequently, he explained that he went away “in the spirit”, not in the flesh.

His fame began to wane and it was not long after that he found himself outside the pale of the law in connection with a procession which he organised on the Liguanea Plain.

For feedback: contact the Editorial Department at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.