Fifty-Seven Cents That Changed The World
Shortly before Hattie's death in 1886, Dr. Conwell had found her among a group of children waiting to get into Sunday school at the church where he was pastor. Gently lifting her in his arms, he carried her through the crowd to the proper room. Upon seeing her again the next day, he said, "Hattie, we are going to have a larger Sunday school room soon." She replied, "I hope you will. It is so crowded that I am afraid to go there alone." Dr. Conwell promised to begin very soon to raise funds for a larger building.
Hattie soon fell sick and died. After the funeral, her mother gave Dr. Conwell a little bag with the 57 cents Hattie had saved. It was her contribution for the new building, and it galvanized Dr. Conwall. Converting her money into pennies, he offered them for sale. That sale netted $250, enough to buy an adjacent house. In that very house was organized what would eventually be Temple University. Many other people were inspire--and gave. The details are incredible.
Dr. Conwell's sermon at the unveiling ceremony was eloquent. As of 1912, he reported, more than 80,000 had attended Temple University. More than 30,000 per year were being seen in the dispensary at Samaritan Hospital (now Temple University Hospital). More than 500 in various denominations were studying for the Gospel ministry. Who knows what those numbers--and the influence they represent--would be today!
But his conclusion is passoniate.
"We sometimes think that when a life stops in eight years, or in ten, it is a shortened life, and that it is a broken life, that it was never completed.... I shall never forget the broken-hearted state of the family and friends who came to the funeral. Think of that mother sorrowing through all these years. I am making her heart more tender every moment as I speak. I am arousing within her the memory of those days which a mother can never forget.
"But Hattie died at the right time... Her life was filled out, it was complete, and when we think of the influence of it upon the world, upon all the ages, we feel as though she was one of the greatest of earth who had accomplished that which leaders of armies had failed to do, and that which kings upon their thrones could not accomplish. Her life was just as long as any other."
Who are the really great in this world? Who are the mighty? Who are the influential? Are they the kings, the presidents, or the movers and shakers? No, for even just 57 cents in the right hands can eclipse them all.
Copyright 2000 James McAlister
Comments
Post a Comment