The Temptation of Samuel Burge

In a quiet provincial town, a modest jeweller named Higgs prepares a modest supper while awaiting a most unusual visitor. The clock ticks toward ten, and the housekeeper frets over proper etiquette, recalling past sermons that have stirred the local congregation. When Brother Samuel Burge finally arrives, his booming greetings and fervent enthusiasm fill the cramped parlour, instantly contrasting with the humble surroundings.

Burge is a charismatic preacher of the Seventh‑Day Primitive Apostles, reputed for converting a colorful array of characters and drawing crowds from far and wide. As he settles into the jeweller’s home, his animated storytelling and confident manner both impress and unsettle those around him, hinting at deeper currents of ambition and devotion. The evening promises a lively exchange of ideas, where faith, community, and the allure of a charismatic leader begin to intertwine, setting the stage for the temptations that lie ahead.