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The Flower of Faith Synopsis
Ephram Judson is an itinerant evangelist. He is always accompanied by his daughter Ruth and his 17-year-old son Tom. They enter a community of devout Christians and hold a series of meetings. On the outskirts of the community lives Hugh Lee, an outcast. His only sister had been burned to death on her wedding day when he renounced the world and his God. Accidentally he meets Ruth Judson, the evangelist's daughter. For the first time since the tragedy, the world looks bright to him. Ruth induces him to attend the Sunday service, but in the midst of it, he pictures his sister's death, and bursts forth into a violent denunciation of religion. The worshippers are shocked and pursue him to the woods. The collection that day was large and the money is given to young Tom Judson to take to the treasurer. Tom has formed the acquaintance with the village sport, who meets him and inveigles him into a game of cards. Tom stakes the church funds and loses. The gambler turns the money over to the village grocer in payment of a bill and the distressed boy, who has witnessed the transaction, sees the grocer hide it. Tom steals the money, but is pursued and slightly wounded by the grocer. He makes his way to the only place of refuge he can think of, the cabin of Hugh Lee, the unbeliever. Tom believes he is dying and pleads for his sister. Lee fetches her at night to the cabin. Meantime the grocer has aroused the community, including the evangelist, to hunt down the thief. The boy is traced to Lee's cabin, which is attacked. Ruth, aroused, as she was from her slumber, is found in the cabin in her night clothes, but she still shields her guilty brother and Lee. The fury of the mob breaks loose, Lee is dragged from his cabin and a noose placed about his neck. Ruth refuses to tell why she was in the cabin, despite the pleadings of Lee to save her honor, and give her brother up to the law. She declares that God will save them all. A storm is raging. Lighting its way with fire-brands, the mob marches Lee to the scene of the revivals after having fired the cabin. The leader of the mob throws the end of the noose over a tree and gives the horse Lee is riding a crack with the whip. Just at that moment a terrific bolt of lightning strikes the limb, severing it from the tree and throwing Lee to the ground. It strikes, too, the mob leader, killing him instantly. Tom, driven from the burning cabin, has followed the mob and arrives on the scene just as the hand of God saves an innocent man. He confesses his guilt, clearing Lee and his sister's honor and changing a frenzied mob into a rejoiceful gathering, the picture closes with Lee acknowledging the power of faith that has saved him and clasping Ruth in his arms.
Man and His Angel Synopsis
Sonia Demitri, daughter of an exiled Russian nobleman, comes to this country almost penniless, teaches a while, and then, being a lover of books, starts a little second-hand bookstore. Sonia grows to womanhood unaware of her noble birth, she has a great singing voice. In an old Bible which her father treasures are the documents which will establish her claim to large estates, but her father tells her she will learn it all after his death. David Tryne, living in the same neighborhood, deformed and with a twisted mind, is a remarkable penman and a lover of the beautiful. He forges a letter of recommendation given to one man. The second man uses it and as a result the first man is accused of forgery. The neighbors try to mob Tryne, who takes refuge in the bookstore. Sonia pities his deformities, aids him, and wins his adoration. To the bookstore comes Sutton, a society man, with Kitty Fish, and an impresario. Later, with Schuyler, they all go to hear Sonia sing. She succeeds and it is planned that she shall go abroad and study. Tryne is with her father while she is away and when Demitri dies Tryne learns from the papers in the old Bible of Sonia's high birth. Sonia makes a great success, Schuyler falls in love with her, and Tryne, crazed with jealousy, forges a note which he places in the old Bible, saying that Sonia is the daughter of a disreputable woman. This he signs with Demitri's name, and gives the book to Sutton to give to Sonia, asking him to say that he found it in an old bookshop. Schuyler's mother asks Sonia about her ancestry, and learning nothing, decides to institute inquiries in Russia. Sutton sprains his ankle on his way to Sonia, and sends for her to come and get the book. Tryne learns of this and sends a note to Schuyler, telling him of her going to Sutton. Schuyler meets her there. She shows Sutton's note, and while Schuyler declares his trust in her, she feels that she cannot marry him with the stain on her birth, and sends him away. Sonia gives up everything, and with Tryne as her servitor, awaits only death. Kitty feels for her, and sends for Schuyler to come and see her. The day he is to come, Soma finds the genuine documents regarding her birth which had fallen from Tryne's coat pocket. Tryne sees the papers in her hands, and tries to get them back, but she holds him with her eyes, and as Schuyler enters the room, Tryne sees that he has lost and quietly slips away. With the barrier to their love removed, Sonia and Schuyler find their happiness.
"The Flower of Faith" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "Man and His Angel" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Flower of Faith