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57 CENTS
Author Unknown
A little girl stood near a small church from which she had been
turned away because it was "too crowded."
"I can't go to Sunday School," she sobbed to the pastor as he walked
by.
Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason
and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for
her in the Sunday school class. The child was so happy that they
found room for her, and she went to bed that night thinking of the
children who have no place to worship Jesus.
Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor
tenement buildings. Her parents called for the kindhearted pastor
who had befriended their daughter to handle the final arrangements.
As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled red
purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash
dump.
Inside was found 57 cents and a note, scribbled in childish
handwriting, which read: "This is to help build the little church
bigger so more children can go to Sunday School."
For two years she had saved for this offering of love.
When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he
would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the
pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion
He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the
larger building. But the story does not end there...
A newspaper learned of the story and published it. It was read by a
wealthy realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many
thousands. When told that the church could not pay so much, he
offered to sell it to the little church for 57 cents.
Church members made large donations. Checks came from far and wide.
Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to
$250,000.00--a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the
century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends.
When you are in the city of Philadelphia , look up Temple Baptist
Church , with a seating capacity of 3,300. And be sure to visit
Temple University , where thousands of students are educated.
Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday
School building which houses hundreds of beautiful children, built
so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside
during Sunday school time.
In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the
sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially
saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait
of her kind pastor, Dr. Russell H. Conwell, author of the book,
"Acres of Diamonds".
This is a true story, which goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH A
WILLING HEART AND 57 CENTS. |
