The Voice of Conscience

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 20, 1916

The Voice of Conscience

It is gratifying to see instances, from time to time, which show that the voice of conscience is still heard by worldly men. Some years ago the United States government opened a conscience fund, in which was placed money returned by those who had taken it in some way from the government.

This fund now aggregates nearly $490,000. The largest contribution to it was recently received in the form of a check for $30,000, which came in a plain white envelope, without signature. The writer stated that this sum made a total of $80,000 which he had sent the government at different times, and which, as in the case of Zaccheus, was four times the amount he had stolen years ago. He closed with this pathetic comment: “May every thief understand the awfulness of the sin of stealing, is the sincere wish of the penitent. Let no man claim this money under any pretext.”

We doubt not that if all who have stolen from the government would return that which they have taken, the total would be very greatly increased. And if every one who has stolen from God, or appropriated to his own use money which rightfully belonged to him, were to make restitution, thousands of dollars would come into the treasury. This spirit of restitution, we believe, will take possession of some of God’s people before this work closes. Some who have for long years withheld their tithe, and who have given a mere pittance compared with what they should have given, will recognize their wrong, and their quickened consciences will lead them to restore that which they have withheld. We should seek to live constantly in all good conscience before God and our fellows. In this experience is peace and salvation.