THE COPPER-FACE GIRL
OBJECT: An Old Penny with a Indian Girl's Face on It
We all love to have our names written in important places. When I was in the Tower of London, I found one of the walls so filled with names written there, that it seemed to me to be impossible for any one to write another name. They wanted to be remembered. I think we all do. I want to tell you a true story about a little girl that had her picture engraven upon copper. She did not plan to do this, she gained this publicity unsought, and yet her face was in more homes in this land than any other. Even the homes of the poorest were glad to get it. The rich also rejoiced to look into her sweet face. Now look sharp at your penny, and you will see an Indian face. Look again with both eyes, and let me ask you, Do you see Indian features there? I do not think you do, not even the slightest trace of them, because the girl on the penny was not an Indian at all. Look again, and you will see it is the face of a gracious American girl. This is the story of how this sweet little American girl got her face made over in copper and stamped on an American penny. Her name was Sarah Longacre Keen. She lived in Philadelphia and died there a few years ago. For thirty-five years she was the Secretary of the Philadelphia Branch of the Women's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. One day, when she was a child, five or six years old, a delegation of Indians from the Northwest visited Washington. They came to see the sights of the great capital and to hold a pow-wow, with the Great White Chief—the President. After they had spent some time in Washington they visited Philadelphia. While here, among other places they were shown the U.S. Mint. The little girl's father was a master engraver, and connected officially with the great money factory. He was a good, generous man, and invited the Indian delegation to some sort of an entertainment at his house. One of the Chiefs had his attention attracted to the little Miss. He was so pleased by her figure and face and maidenly bearing that in a mood of sportiveness, he took off his head-dress and put it on her head. This did not frighten the little girl and so she stood still for a moment and let the people look at her. Then they all laughed and greatly enjoyed the joke, Some one present had an eye for beauty, and also artistic skill, and he was so struck by the appearance that little Sarah made in her Indian hat that he sketched her on the spot.
The sketch was engraved by her father. Later on when the Government wanted a new face on the new one-cent pieces they chose this engraving, and so little Sarah Keen's features became the best known face in America. This is the story of the Little Copper-face, and this was the way a little Philadelphia girl was remembered.
There is a better way to be remembered than stamping your face upon copper. We could not do this if we wished, but we can all be remembered by God, if we do his will, and try to do our best to serve him. This is the way to engrave our names on his heart. There was once a Bible-woman by the name of Phœbe. We read about her in Romans 16:1. She is there called "Phœbe, our sister." She is mentioned only once in the New Testament. A small matter, you say, to make her remembered forever. She did one simple, little act; yet we are all rich today because she did it. She carried Paul's letter to the Roman church which is now called by that name. A great French writer has said that Phœbe carried the foundation stones of the great temple of Christian doctrine. This was all she did. We never hear anything about her after that act, but think what it has meant for the great Christian church, and think what it means to all Bible readers today! In that letter, more than all others, is God's grace revealed to us.
She worked for Jesus in a humble way, and in such a simple way that all children can follow her example. She just carried things for God. She was God's errand-girl, so her character is engraved on the bronze tablet of Biblical history. Paul says, "I commend unto you Phœbe." God will commend you if you do as Phœbe did.
In delivering this talk hold up the penny as you describe it. This particular penny is a bit rare these days, but the banks will supply them, and some of the older people who have "savings" from other days, will gladly make an exchange for it. If you found it possible, you would make a great impression on the little hearts if you should give each an old penny with the Indian head.
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