CivilWarveteranJosiahGreyestoasmalltowntobeagospelminister.Intimehehasafamilyandmanyfriends,buthealsofindsfrictionwithafewofhisparishioners.Ayoungdoctratesatwhathefeelsistheparson’sinterferenceinthescientifictreatmentofpatients,andamineownerresentsGrey’sprotectionofanoldsharecropperwhosesmallplotoflandstandsinthewayofhisntinuedmining.Greymustfaceapublichealthcrisisandalynchmobasaresult,allseenanddescribedthroughtheeyesandmemoryofGrey’syoungnephewJohn.