In an issue of The Atlantic Monthly, a kleptomaniac wrote anonymously of her experiences in shoplifting. After a realistic description of the methods of stealing and of the fear that grips the heart of the thief, the article concludes with the "cure" of the habit. The thief was caught on two different occasions, but because of her genteel appearance, was merely forced to pay for the goods stolen at that moment. The fear of punishment gripped her and she wrote, "I wrote a compact with God today, promising quite a sum of money to the church if He would save me from this mistake... I am glad God allowed me to be caught, for it was the only way to stop me. My will was not enough..."

A Sunday School teacher once asked a class what was meant by the word "repentance." A little boy put up his hand and said, "It is being sorry for your sins." A little girl also raised her hand and said, "Please, it is being sorry enough to quit." There is, indeed, a vast difference between the two. That is why the Lord said through Joel, "Rend your hearts and not your garments" (Joel 2:13).

Some time ago a Christian approached me after a meeting and said, "I am worried because I am not worried about my sins." The phrase is a startling one, and should lead each of us to examine our spiritual status before the Lord. Worry, in itself, is a sin, because it is a lack of faith. The Quakers recognized long ago, however, that there is a spiritual emotion which is not exactly worry that is perfectly proper in the life of a Christian. The Quakers called this "a concern," and it is common in their circles to hear them say, "I am concerned about this or that.