One day a minister received a request from a missionary society to preach a missionary sermon to be followed by a collection for a certain field. The minister put his whole heart and soul into the effort, encouraging people to give cheerfully for the Lord's work.

 

     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 that 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 breast of a poorly clad girl. Through an accident, she had become lame. 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 come to church. What a great blessing it was to 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 a foreign land the missionaries are expecting out 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 Savior, too. Oh, if only you would!"

 

     Finally a shine came over her face. She pressed a kiss on the crutches and waited with a beating heart.

 

     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 elderly man grasped the situation, took the crutches out of hands, put them on the basket and carried them slowly down the aisle, laying them without a word on the altar.

 

     Everyone watched him in breathless suspense. They all knew the little girl, and may 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 hankerchief and 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 her 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 Known To God <><