StogusMaximus

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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 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. Please forward this on to all your friends, perhaps someone will be touched by this true story as I was.



Full Text - http://www.library.temple.edu/speccoll/hattie.htm
 

StogusMaximus

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It is amazing what God can do with a "little". My old church, had 10 members that regularly attended service. We gave what we could and prayed for the church to grow. The church went from meeting in people's homes, to a shopping center, to a larger shopping center. They just bought a plot of land and are planning on building a "real" church there.

Not amazing? They still only have 10 members!

The other things.....

We needed a podium, within days, we got a call from a local church that was remodeling, and they had a podium to donate.

We had a few hymnals, and were taking donations to get a handful of new ones. Right before we placed an order another church had just purchased new hymnals, and they donated 200 hymnals(In perfect condition) to us.

We were working on ideas to get people to visit us for easter. I went to the leftbehind website on day and noticed that they were having an easter promotion, and that day was the last day. I sent in my entry form. A couple of weeks later a 18 wheeler arrived at my pastors house. We won, they delivered probably 12 or 15 boxes loaded with Left Behind books!

For a church with a few members and even fewer resources, God has provided many, many times over.

I don't belive it is the size of the gift, but the size of the heart that gives it.
 
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