57 Cents

Inspirational Home Page

Ladies and Gentlemen,

All too many times we receive emails that either 'tickle the ears' or 'pull

at the heart strings'. Most times however, we find that there isn't any

truth to them. Well, this one is the exception as I took it a step further

to verify the information as accurate. You can view the accuracy by going

to:

http://www.library.temple.edu/speccoll/hattie.htm.

It's been changed a little to provide some additional drama, but the jist is

the same...

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,

unkept 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 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 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.

FWD From

Fred