Can I Sleep?

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 1, 1899

A Chicago daily paper relates that a few months ago a member of the Illinois Legislature was offered a large sum of money to vote for a certain measure. He consulted a friend, to whom he told the many things so large a sum of money would secure for him—a farm which would support him for the rest of his days; an education for his children such as he had not been permitted to enjoy; comforts for his hard-working wife and his family. 'But,' he said, 'the thing I want to know is, if I take the money, can I sleep?' His friend replied, 'No, John; if you take it, you can't sleep.'

The reply describes the condition of every criminal. He can not sleep. With David he must say, 'My sin is ever before me.' He is always in fear lest he be discovered and forced to face the public disgrace and penalty of his crime. The penalty of the law is not so terrible as this haunting fear. No one knows so well as the criminal that retribution follows crime. There may be exceptions to this rule, but they are rare.—Northwestern Christian Advocate.