The Difference

Inside a Lutheran church, a pastor delivers a sermon extolling the virtues of a Christian college education. To illustrate his stand, he tells the story of Paul Reed, who was initially reluctant to attend Luther Memorial College: On his way to school, Paul visits the office of his uncle, William Sanders, who runs a successful manufacturing plant. Sanders, who believes that Christianity and business do not mix, laments the fact that Paul will not be attending a larger, more prestigious school. Paul nevertheless assures Sanders that he will be ready to take over the plant after graduation. At school, counselor Thomas Nelson tells Paul that religious instruction is required. In biology class, the professor scoffs at the notion that life evolved accidentally and insists that the universe was created by God. After Paul begins dating student Barbara Thompson, the two draw criticism from sophomore Don White of the student religious council for spending too much time away from campus. In class, Paul repeats Sanders' claim that the Christian ideal is not compatible with the "dog eat dog" world of business. At the end of the term, the president of the college, Robert Scott, receives a visit from the dean. When the dean complains about Paul's poor grades and his rejection of the Christian ideal, they arrange a conference with Sanders and Paul's mother. At the conference, they recommend that Sanders give Paul some hard manual labor in order to teach him to accept authority. When classes break for the summer, Sanders assigns Paul a job working at his plant. On his first day, Paul meets his old high school friend, Jerry Beck, who is also working for Sanders. Jerry urges Paul to take advantage of his educational opportunity and adhere to the rules of the student religious council. Later, Paul is shocked when Sanders forces a gravely ill competitor into bankruptcy, then fires "Pop," a twenty-year veteran of the plant, for missing work in order to take his wife to the doctor. With the new term about to begin, Paul writes to the college president to tell him that he has changed his opinion about the Christian ideal. At school, Paul is assigned to share a room with Jerry, then given charge of a new student from India named Jeta Ronjon. Paul takes Jeta over to the dorm and introduces him to Jerry. Later, Jeta tells Paul that in India, his family belonged to the lowest caste, "the untouchables." When he was ten years old, Jeta fell ill and was taken to a mission hospital, where he was cured, precipitating his conversion to Christianity. During his senior year, Paul is overcome with abdominal pain and taken to the hospital. While recovering from an appendectomy, Paul receives a visit from Pastor Roberts. Then, Barbara, Jeta, Don and Jerry bring Paul notes from the lectures that he has missed. Later, Don, who is preparing to enter the ministry, admits his religious doubt to Paul. When Don fails to show up for his scheduled address to the congregation, Paul finds him and convinces him to pursue his chosen path. Before long, graduation day arrives, and Paul announces his decision not to become like Sanders. Then, at home, Paul agrees to work for Sanders if he agrees to conduct business "the Christian way."