Inspiration of The Heart

Crutches On The Altar

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 foreign
field. The minister put his whole soul into the effort, encouraging the
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 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 Savior 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.

Pass this inspiration on...

- Author Unknown