WORD OF WISDOM

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 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.

  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.