Bill’s family in Belfast, Ireland is poor but hard working. Bill’s father and he both gamble pocket money. They don’t go to church, but his mother takes him to Sunday evening services at a local mission. At school he learns to memorize scripture daily. Working at fourteen, he begins stealing money from his boss. Then a friend is saved at the mission and proselytizes Bill. He goes to a prayer meeting and gives his life to Christ. He confesses his theft and begins preaching at fifteen. A benefactor at the mission sends him to Bible school in Glasgow. The first part ends as Bill prepares to go to India as a missionary.