Martha Berry

 

Martha Berry founded Berry College in 1902 for disadvantaged rural boys.  She was a masterful fundraiser and one day, approached Henry Ford for a donation.  Ford reached into his pocket, pulled out a dime, and said “Here you go, Miss Berry.”  She could have been miffed, but instead, took the dime and bought seed peanuts for her students to plant.  When the crop was harvested and sold, Miss Berry made a trip to Dearborn, Michigan.  She thanked Mr. Ford for his investment in her students and gave him a check for $1800.  Henry Ford was so surprised and curious that he was on the next train for Rome, Georgia to find out what Berry College was all about.  Henry Ford became a life-long friend of Martha Berry and a dedicated supporter of Berry College.  Hey, are you a good witness for the Lord?  Does your life make folk curious?  Are your words different than everyone else’s?  When most people have a hand out, are you giving people a hand up?  Philippians 2:14&15, Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”