Fifty-Seven Cents
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. Russell H.
Conwell, author of the book:
"Acres of Diamonds." - a true story.
Goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 cents.