Some had not dealt honestly with their neighbors, and they confessed these sins and have since made restitution. During the following week some of those who had not been dealing justly with God, and consequently had been separating themselves from Him, began to restore that which they had withheld. One brother had not paid tithes for two years. He gave his note to the secretary of the conference for the tithe he had withheld and the interest on it, amounting to $571.50. I thank the Lord that he had the courage to do this. Another gave his note for $300. Another man who had backslidden from God so far that but little hope was cherished that he would ever turn his feet into the path of righteousness again, gave his note for $1,000. It was proposed that these long-withheld tithes and offerings be devoted to the Central European Mission; so with these and the Christmas donations, nearly $6,000 has come into the treasury from this church to be applied to the missionary cause. {5T 643.2}

Der er for mange bekendelser, der ligner Faraos, da han led under Guds domme. Han indrømmede sin synd for at undgå yderligere straf, men vendte tilbage til sin trods for himlen, så snart klagerne var ophørt. Balaks bekendelse var af lignende karakter. Rystet af englen på hans vej med draget sværd, indrømmede han sin skyld, for at han ikke skulle miste sit liv. Der var ingen ægte syndsanger, vilje til ingen sønderknuselse eller omvendelse, intet afsky for det onde og ingen værdi eller kraft i hans bekendelse. Judas Iskariot vente tilbage til præsterne, efter at have forrådt sin Herre og udbrød: »Jeg har syndet og forrådt uskyldigt blod.« Men hans bekendelse var ikke af en sådan karakter, at den ville overgive ham til Guds barmhjertighed. Den blev fremtvunget fra hans skyldige sjæl, ved en forfærdelig fornemmelse af fordømmelse og en frygt for en ventende dom. Konsekvenserne der skulle følge efter ham, fremdrev denne indrømmelse af hans store synd. Der var ingen dyb, hjertebrudt sorg i hans sjæl, over at han havde overgivet Guds søn til forhånelse, pisk og korsfæstelse; at han havde forrådt den Israels Hellige i onde og hensynsløse menneskers hænder. Hans bekendelse udsprang kun af et selvisk og formørket hjerte.