57 Cents
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 57 CENTS.
Please
send this back. (You'll see why.)
May
today there be peace within.
May
you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are
meant
to be.
May
you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May
you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love
that
has been given to you.
May
you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let
this presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the
freedom
to sing and dance. It is there for each and every one of you.
