The Power of the Cross (1913)
"Never part with this cross; it was your father's." These were the last words of Paul Darner's mother as she placed the cross about his neck. A few months later the young clergyman accepts an offer to take a parish at Glenwood, with an invitation to make his home with John Temple, a wealthy churchman. There he meets Iris, daughter of Temple, and Mary Gray, her cousin. Mary immediately falls in love with Paul, but the latter soon becomes infatuated with Iris, though she is very indifferent toward the young clergyman until she learns from the dashing widow, Mrs. Brunton, of Mary's love for him. Iris then determines, as a matter of conquest, to win the minister. When Paul declares his love for Iris, Temple readily gives his consent. Through the persistent pleas of the lively widow, Iris is led to accept her invitations as of old, and it was due to her failure to return home at the proper hour on one occasion which prompted her father to go in search of her. Instead of Iris being at Mrs. Brunton's home, he found her at a fashionable café, inebriated. Taking her home, they are met by the clergyman-husband, who now learns for the first time of his wife's weakness, but promptly forgives her upon her promise to break from Mrs. Brunton and her set. Later, when Paul decides to visit Dr. Banks at his old home, Iris takes advantage of his absence by giving, a card party to Mrs. Brunton and her friends. Wine flows freely. Paul returns unexpectedly and discovers them. A violent quarrel ensues, resulting in Iris leaving and going to Mrs. Brunton's. All efforts to bring her back are futile. Iris goes from bad to worse. A rejected suitor, Clifford Moore, is a steady visitor at the Brunton home. Paul grows desperate at his wife's absence and, in a fit of despondency, tears away his holy vestments, but when he attempts to destroy the cross, Mary prevents. Completely crazed, Paul grabs a bottle from the sideboard and drains it. Unnerved by what he has witnessed, the father, John Temple, falls dead. Later Paul meets Clifford in a gambling house and, accusing him for his wife's desertion, attacks him, declaring that he "will kill him." The men are separated and Paul put out. Clifford leaves the resort, a heavy winner that night, and is followed by Cardwell, a gambler and crook, who waylays, robs and murders him. When the crime is discovered Paul is readily suspected, arrested and tried. Many witnesses testify to hearing Paul's threat at the gambling house. All hope vanishes until Mary Gray, regardless of public opinion, swears to Paul's presence in her own home the night of the crime. Her story is proved and Paul is finally freed, just as word comes that Iris is dying in an old tenement basement, where she has taken refuge. Mary and Paul arrive at the bedside just as Iris is breathing her last. A few months pass. Mary is now a nurse in a hospital. Paul, repenting for the life he has been leading, calls upon Mary, who returns to him the cross upon hearing him declare that he is going to preach in foreign lands and wants her to accompany him as his wife. Convinced of his sincerity, Mary capitulates, and with Paul in full vestment once more they journey onward, placing their trust in "The Power of the Cross."
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Domestic
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Worldwide
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Arthur V. Johnson | Director |
| Arthur V. Johnson | Writer |
| Siegmund Lubin | Producer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Arthur V. Johnson | |
| Florence Hackett | |
| Lottie Briscoe | |
| Charles Brandt |
