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 upTemple
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 GoodSamaritan
Hospitaland 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.
St. Theresa
Prayer
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.
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