Originally Aired: February 10, 1939
The Lone Ranger #943, "Ministers Courage,"
In the frontier town of Freeland, Reverend Sylvester Lamb finds himself mocked and misunderstood by nearly everyone. His sermons advocating peace over violence are misconstrued as cowardice, and his meeting house stands virtually empty. Young Vic Donland, son of wealthy retired rancher Frank Donland, takes particular pleasure in tormenting the minister, forcing him to dance at gunpoint while his drunken friends fire shots at the reverend's feet. When Frank Donland arrives and discovers his son's behavior, he's disgusted not only by Vic's cruelty but also by Reverend Lamb's refusal to see the young man punished, which Frank interprets as weakness.
The Lone Ranger witnesses these events and approaches the minister, convinced that Lamb has an important message for the town if only he could earn their respect. Meanwhile, Tonto brings word that townspeople believe the reservation Indians are preparing for war, though they're actually celebrating harvest ceremonies. The masked rider formulates a plan involving their old friend Chief Thundercloud, hoping to prove that Reverend Lamb possesses true courage rather than the cowardice the townspeople imagine.