The 57 Cents That Made History
A sobbing 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 hand, took her inside and found a place for
her in the Sunday School class. The child was so touched that she went
to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship
Jesus.
Two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement
buildings and the parents called for the kindhearted pastor, who had
befriended their daughter, to handle the final arrangements. As her
little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled purse was found which
seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump. Inside was found 57
cents and a note scribble 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
Realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands. When
told that the church could not pay so much, he offered it for a 57 cent
payment.
Church members made large subscriptions. 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 Temple University, where
hundreds
of students are trained. Have a look, too, at Good Samaritan Hospital
and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of Sunday
scholars, so that no child in the area will ever need to be left
outside at 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. Russel H. Conwell, author of the book, "Acres of
Diamonds."
-- A true story --
[ Dr. Russel H. Conwell -- from 'Sermon Fodder' (Keith Todd) ]
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