The Rev. Joshua Trent, through old age, was supplanted by the Rev. John Gunn. Mrs. Brand, the wife of Colonel Brand, the leading man of the city, headed a delegation of women to receive the new minister and introduce him to the retiring one. Trent received him with a cordiality that was not returned. One day as Gunn was dining with the Brands a small girl, having finally located the whereabouts of the new minister, asked him to come and administer the last rites of the church to her father who was dying of smallpox. Gunn recoiled and quickly slammed the door in the girls face. Col. Brand was greatly surprised but made no comment. As the girl was running down the street she met Trent, who, learning of her mission, went with her to her squalid home, administered the last rites, and adopted her, fulfilling his promise to the dying man. When war broke out Colonel Brand received a commission in the Southern army, Gunn spied for his brother, who was captain in the northern secret service, and by attending an afternoon tea at the home of the Brands, learned of General Lees plans. He sent this news to his brother and thereby brought about heavy losses to the Confederates. General Lee, in a conversation with Brand, told him that his losses were no doubt caused by the work of spies, and started an investigation. The spy, working in conjunction with Gunn was apprehended, but managed to escape. He was pursued, however, and killed. Old Trent was arrested, suspected of complicity with the spy. A note was found on the dead spy signed The Minister which thanked him for the money and the information. The note was shown to the old minister and when asked if he had written it, replied in the negative. When he was searched a note was found on his person, much to his surprise and horror, expressing thanks for the money forwarded and for the information given, which was of great value to the north, and signed by the chief of the U. S. Secret Service. The note was slipped into the old ministers pocket by Gunn who feared for his own safety when a search was being made, Trent pleaded his innocence, but Colonel Brand ordered him imprisoned. Nellie, the name of the girl adopted by Trent, visited him and the old man tried to cheer up the girl. At the trial Trent was sentenced to death and taken away to await his execution. Just as the sergeant was to give the command of Fire, a distracted, disheveled man rushed in upon the scene. It was Gunn whose conscience had troubled him. A week later a freshly made grave bore the inscription To the Memory of John Gunn on the tombstone. Hand in hand, Trent and little Nellie laid flowers upon the mound, kneel and pray fervently for the soul of the dead man. — Moving Picture World synopsis