# A Cheating Preacher explained — Poetry > Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce. ## What happens The narrator addresses a preacher named Munhall, accusing him of hypocrisy in his methods of saving souls. While the narrator does not accuse Munhall of outright falsehoods, he criticizes the preacher's use of fear and damnation, suggesting that the very tactics employed to save souls are those invented by the Devil to ensnare them. The narrator warns that Munhall himself may be cheating by dealing from the bottom of the deck, implying his salvation efforts are corrupt. ## Themes in this chapter ### Hypocrisy and Corruption The narrator accuses the preacher of using deceitful tactics to save souls, highlighting the hypocrisy of employing the Devil's own methods in the name of grace. ### Deception and Self-Deception The preacher is portrayed as potentially deceiving himself and others by claiming to save souls while actually cheating, as suggested by the line 'you are dealing from the bottom.' ## Character check-ins ### Unknown The narrator directly addresses the preacher Munhall, critiquing his methods and accusing him of hypocrisy. ## Key lines > Munhall, to have my soul you bravely try, Although, to save my soul, I can’t say why. Munhall, you boldly attempt to save my soul, though I see no reason for it. _The narrator expresses skepticism about the preacher's motives._ > But when you 'deal damnation round' 'twere sweet To think hereafter that you did not cheat. Deal, and let all accept what you allot 'em; But, blast you! you are dealing from the bottom! When you dispense damnation, it would be nice to believe you aren't cheating. Go ahead and deal, but you're dealing from the bottom of the deck! _The narrator accuses the preacher of dishonesty in his spiritual dealings._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/a-cheating-preacher - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters