Just 57Cents - More space for childrenSunday School Space for More children. Just 57 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, 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.
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 a 57 cent payment.
Church members made large subscriptions. 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
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."
這是一篇真實故事，是從一位澳洲牧者的心聲分享中得知道的，很多人都被這故事深深觸動著。故事的主題是：神可以怎樣使用五毫七分。一個正在啼哭的小女孩站在一所非常狹小的教會門外。因為教會的人多，她被擠了出來。教會的牧師遇上了她，聽她帶淚的傾訢，說：「我今天沒有主日學課了！」
牧師看看她，是如斯衣衫襤褸，儀容也不甚整潔，心中大概了解箇中原因。便拖著她的手，領她進入主日學的課室，很不容易才為她找一個座位。
當天晚上，這小女孩在床上回想自己能上主日學課經歷，心中充滿感恩，同時，她也記念許多和自己相近的小孩，因為教會狹小，便沒有機會認識和敬拜主耶穌。
大概兩年後，這小女孩在她所居住的貧民區寓所內逝世。她的家人便邀請了那位慈心的牧者來為她處理身後之事；因為這位牧師巳成為她生前的摯友。
當他們正要把小女孩的身軀搬出去的時侯，一個大概是從垃圾堆拾回來小錢包跌了下來。錢包是又舊又破的，內中有一張字條，寫的明顯是小孩子的筆跡；內容也表露著一個孩童純真的希冀──它說：「這是獻給神，要把我們小小的教會建得大一點，讓更多的小孩子能上主日學！」錢包內還有五毫七分(57cents)。原來在過去兩年裡，這小女孩正為神和祂的教會積蓄金錢。
這位牧師讀了那小女孩的字條，眼淚是不能抑止地掉了下來。當主日崇拜時，牧師把小女孩的字條和那又殘又舊的紅色小錢包放在講壇上；然後，便把小女孩對神，對教會和對別人無私的愛宣讀了出來。 牧師鼓勵教會的執事和會眾，要同心努力，完成這小女孩的遺願。
峰迴路轉，這小女孩的故事被一份報章知道了，並且把它刊登出來。接著，一位地產商在報上閱讀了這小女孩的意願，深被感動，便把一塊價值不菲的地段賣給那小小的教會、售價呢?是五毫七分〈57cents〉！
五年內，那教會的肢體同心捐獻，並且因那小女孩感人的事蹟，各地也有獻金寄來，絡繹不絕。這小女孩的五毫七分〈57cents〉，也很快地就累積達 25 萬元，這是當時〈20世紀初〉一筆非常龐大的款項。
今天，你若到了美國的費城，望一望那所偌大的浸信聖殿教會〈Temple Baptist Church〉，它的禮堂能容納3300人；還有那所聖殿大學〈Temple University〉，及那間好撒瑪利亞人醫院〈Good Samaritan Hospital〉和一幢主日學大樓；你就曉得那小女孩的心願巳成真了──再沒有小孩子會因為教會狹小而失去上主日學和敬拜主耶穌的機會了。
在這主日學大樓內，你也可以看見一幅畫照，正呈示著那小女孩歡悅的笑容，她的五毫七分〈57cents〉和那純真的奉獻，已寫下一段傳奇的歷史。與這小女孩的畫照並列的，還有那位慈心的牧者的畫像，他們都在那裡見證神在人對祂的愛慕上所添上豐滿的祝福。
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