"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.
If ever 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 selflessly 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". This is a true
story, which goes to show...What a little girl with "Unselfish Love" and God's Guidance
Can Help Bring About With Just 57 Cents.