Mesmerized by magic, Phil studies and practices to be a magician. In high school he hears a sermon and goes forward, giving his life to Christ. He graduates in 1932 and works as a magician. An agent friend mocks him for praying because Phil is too poor to buy food. So Phil and his mother pray, asking God to honor His name. The next day Phil is offered a contract with Lyceum, going to schools across the country performing his magic. God takes a back seat. But Phil hears sermons and sees a sign that makes him think. The first part ends as Phil leaves the circuit to go to Bible college.