57 CENTS ( Religious Content)

[Guest guest]

57 CENTS

author ~ Dr. Russel H. Conwell

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 by the 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.

Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement

buildings and the parents called for the kind-hearted pastor, who had

befriended their daughter, to handle the final arrangements. As her poor

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 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 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 cents.

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 the 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 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. Russel H. Conwell, author of the book, " Acres of Diamonds. " - a true

story. Goes to show

WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 cents.