Text Box: One summer I conducted a series of evangelistic meetings in a large tent at 95th Street and Broadway, New York City. To these meetings came an elderly Irish immigrant who was introduced to me as Miss Clancy. I've never met anyone who displayed a more positive confidence in the Bible than she did. She required nothing more than a clear "Thus saith the Lord" to instantly accept any truth. During these meetings I delivered two sermons on tithing, making plain from the Bible that this requirement was for all who serve God. It soon became evident that Miss Clancy was disturbed. Her usual cheerful disposition was gone. She asked to talk with me, which, of course, I was happy to do. Although all this took place many years ago-in the summer of 1919, to be exact-I remember it clearly because it made such a vivid impression on my mind. I give you the details of our conversation and the events that happened later as accurately as if they had been recorded on tape. "Pastor," Miss Clancy began, "your sermon on tithing has caused me deep Text Box: concern, and I need to know what the Lord would have me to do." "Is there something that isn't clear?" I asked. "Oh, it's not that. It's clear enough, dear knows. That's the trouble. I know what the Bible says. What plagues me is whether it means me. And if it means me, how in the wide world can I do what it says?" "What do you mean about whether it means you?" "I mean can it possibly include anyone in my circumstances?" "Well, Miss Clancy, of course- "Wait a minute, Pastor. Don't answer me until you have heard the whole story. Before you tell me anything, just hear my situation and then tell me whether you think the Lord would have me pay tithe." "Very well, Miss Clancy; I'm listening." "I'm a lone woman, Pastor. I have no folks in this country except a niece who lives with her husband in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He has no obligation to take care of me, but he does. All the income I have in the world is what he sends me each week." "Do you mind telling me how much that is?" "Six dollars a week." Text Box: continued on last page Text Box: "How do you manage on just six dollars a week?" "Ah, that's it! How do I manage? I don't know, but somehow the dear Lord makes it cover my needs." "Where do you live?" "In a kitchenette apartment. I moved into it years ago when rents were lower, and the blessed landlord has not raised mine. I think he's sorry for me." "How much of your $6.00 does your rent take?" "It takes $4.50." "Do you mean that all you have for food, clothing, and other necessities is $1.50 a week?" "Sure, and that's what I mean." "But it isn't possible to do it." "Sure, and I'm doing it. And I can go on doing it. Only now you come along and tell me that I must tithe my six dollars. And look where that leaves me." "But I didn't tell you, Miss Clancy, that you must tithe your six dollars. It was the Lord who has cared for you all these years who told you. It is in His Book. I just showed it to you." "Oh, I know that, but it comes to the same thing so far as I'm concerned. What I'm after is whether He means I should pay tithe." "Why do you think He

Miss Clancy’s Speck of Heaven