Wednesday, September 25, 2013

The 57 Cent Church


The 57 Cent Church

By de Andréa
September 25, 2013

A little girl stood near the entrance of a small church from which she had been turned away because it was 'too crowded.'

“There is no room for me in 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, 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 poorest tenement buildings in the city. 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 little 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 must do.

Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of this little girl’s unselfish love and devotion.

He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for a larger building. But the story doesn’t 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 for many thousands of dollars.

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 last 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 each year.

Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday school building which houses hundreds of beautiful little children, built so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time all built with the little girls 57 cents.

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 it, is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russell H. Conwell, author of the book, 'Acres of Diamonds'.

If this story touched your heart, please share it with your friends, family and co-workers.  The next time you go to church put an extra 57 cents in the offering plate, no telling what God can do with it…

Thanks for listening – de Andréa


Copyright © 2013 by Bottom Line Publishing -  Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, provided full credit is given.

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