- The Rev. Robert Martin, having been deserted by his wife years earlier, seizes upon that injustice as an excuse to lead a life of crime. Martin preaches the gospel while his band of pickpockets relieve his worshipers of their hard earned money. When his daughter Joan, who is unaware of her father's nefarious practices, joins the troupe, the reverend decides to make his last crooked deal. That night, a great thunderstorm sweeps through the area, and while the reverend is standing at the window, a bolt of lightning blinds him and sets fire to the house. In the flames, Joan is overcome with smoke and the reverend prays for her recovery. Miraculously, his prayers are answered, restoring the holy man's faith. With their leader's conversion, the members of his troupe also reform and the reverend finally is rewarded when his wife and his sight are both restored to him.—AFI
- Robert Martin preaches at fairs and carnivals, but this is a front for his followers who rob and swindle the people. His accomplices include Mary and her lover Stephen Gregory, who pick pockets and con customers. Martin's daughter Julie, just out of boarding school, joins the group, ignorant of what they are doing. Martin decides he will give up his crooked dealings after one last deal, in order to protect his daughter.
Mary is caught trying to pick the pocket of wealthy young Raymond Pritchard. Pritchard confronts her, and is so impressed with her that he decides to let her go. The gang schemes to rob the safe in a tavern in town. While Martin remains home, his underlings go to the tavern. Julie overhears the plan, and pleads with her father to have greater faith in God and himself. Martin then tells Julie how he lost his faith in God as a young minister, when his wife abandoned him and Julie.
A tremendous storm hits the town. While Martin is at the window, a stroke of lightning blinds him, and the house is set afire. Julie is injured in the blaze. Martin is comforted by Mary, and then prays for Julie.
The crooks at the tavern are caught, and Gregory is sent to prison. Mary, lost without him, wanders into the arms of Pritchard. Pritchard marries her, despite his friends telling him it is a mistake. The result is that Mary is reformed. When Gregory escapes jail, he attempts to win back Mary. While Mary welcomes him, she refuses to abandon Pritchard. Gregory reforms. Julie regains her health and falls in love. Martin regains his sight, is reunited with the wife who deserted him, and completes his reformation as well.
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