Civil War veteran Josiah Gray came to a small town to serve as a gospel pastor. As time passed, he had family and many friends, but he also found friction with some parish residents. A young doctor was angry about the pastor's interference in the scientific treatment of patients, while a miner was angry about Gray protecting an old tenant because his small piece of land hindered him from continuing mining. Gray had to face a public health crisis and therefore a lynching mob, all of which were seen and described through the eyes and memories of Gray's young nephew John.