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
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.
St. Theresa Prayer
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