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  • The Higher Law (1911)
  • Short | Drama, Short
The Higher Law (1911)
Short | Drama, Short
A young minister silently loves the school teacher of the village. She, however, looks upon him merely as a friend, because a sea captain has her heart. When the captain returns from a voyage he asks his sweetheart to become his wife. She ...See moreA young minister silently loves the school teacher of the village. She, however, looks upon him merely as a friend, because a sea captain has her heart. When the captain returns from a voyage he asks his sweetheart to become his wife. She consents, and the young minister is given the ungrateful task of performing the ceremony. Soon after the wedding the captain goes off on a long voyage, from which he never returns. The news is brought back that he was drowned. The woman is left friendless and helpless with a child. It is impossible for her to live on without a source of revenue, so she decides she will hunt for a position. But first she determines to find a suitable home for her child. After mental anguish she makes up her mind that the minister would be the only proper person to whom she could entrust her baby. She then leaves the baby and a note on the doorstep of the minister's home and later assures herself by peeping in at the minister's study, that her child was welcome. She then wends her way into the uncertain world. As she is sitting near a dock with tear-stained cheeks, she makes the acquaintance of a wealthy but crippled old woman. After a few questions, the woman asks her to take the position of companion and secretary and live with her, as she has no friends or relatives. After seven years of close association, the old woman dies and bequeaths her fortune to her .secretary. Now that she is rich, she returns to the country village to claim her own. The child in the meantime has grown and the minister who has been more than a father to her, loves the child. He points out that the mother has forfeited her rights because of her unnatural neglect of her offspring. The unexpected position of the minister nearly breaks her heart. The minister, wooed by a spirit of defiance, asks the mother to come with him to Sunday school, where she may pick out her child. Of course the mother finds this an impossible task and is forced to acknowledge the justice of the minister's position. The mother is overcome with sorrow and remorse. With heaving breast and eyes streaming with hot tears, she finds her way to some secluded spot where she is nearly overcome by her motherly suffering. But here the great power draws the child from the church and leads her to comfort her suffering mother. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Director
George Nichols
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Oct 10, 1911
Release date
Oct 10, 1911 (United States)

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