The Strength of God Summary

The Reverend Curtis Hartman is the pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Winesburg. Shy by nature, he finds standing before the parish on Sundays to be difficult. From Wednesday to Saturday, he worries perpetually about his sermon. The Reverend does not inspire strong feelings in people - either positive or negative. He is uncertain if the spirit is really inside of him, and he dreams of a day when the Spirit of God will be present in him and inspire others. He thinks it will never happen to a "poor stick" like him, and he dejectedly figures that he is doing "well enough."

One morning as Reverend Hartman sits at his desk in the church, he looks out the window and is horrified to see a woman through the window of the house next door, lying on...