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After the sermon the collection basket was passed as usual; but the
minister watched the result with depressed feelings as only small
amounts were dropped in. Evidently his words had not reached the
hearts of his hearers. He noticed how those who were well able to
give kept looking at the time, anxious to be out and about other
things.
On the last bench, in the meantime, a battle was waging in the
heart of a poorly clad girl. Through an accident, Margaret had
been crippled. She could not take a step without assistance. One
day a kind lady procured a pair of crutches for her, and since then
her life had been much happier. This Sunday she ventured for the
first time to church. What a great blessing it was to be able to
listen to the Gospel once more.
As the usher came near with the basket, Margaret said to herself
with a sad heart, "I have nothing to give - not a cent - and there
in the foreign land the missionaries are expecting our gifts; they
need so much to carry on their work. Oh, what can I do?" These
thoughts went through her mind and made her shudder. "My new
crutches could be sold for a sum of money, but I cannot spare them;
I must have them; they are my very life."
"Yes, your life", said a voice within; "but did not Christ give His
life for you? If you give what is your life, some poor souls in
Africa will hear that He is their Saviour too. Oh, if you only
would!"
Finally a glow came over her face. She pressed, a kiss on the
crutches and waited, her heart pounding.
The collection basket came to where Margaret sat. The usher knew
her well. He gave a friendly nod and was about to pass on. To his
astonishment, she made an effort to lay the crutches on the basket.
The man grasped the situation, took the crutches out of her hand,
put them on the basket and carried them slowly through the aisle,
laying them without a word on the altar.
Everyone watched him in breathless suspense. They all knew the
young girl, and many eyes filled with tears. The minister, deeply
affected, laid his hand on the crutches and repeated solemnly the
words of Jesus: "She hath done what she could".
What a stir this incident made in the meeting! Suddenly the
perspiration came on the banker's brow, and he wiped his face with
his handkerchief as he pulled out his pocketbook. The rich lady
fumbled about for her purse. The rich merchant whispered something
in the ear of the usher, who passed the collection basket once more
from bench to bench. This time money came like raindrops.
Quietly and solemnly the people left the church. One lady stepped
up to Margaret and gave back her new crutches. She had redeemed
them for the benefit of the missionaries for the sum of one hundred
dollars. The happy girl returned home, little realizing how much
she had done that day for her Master.
- Author Unknown
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