Max Lucado, in his book Six Hours One Friday, tells how the U.S. government in 1811 began collecting and storing letters like the following note dated February 6, 1974: "I am sending ten dollars for blankets I stole while in World War II. My mind could not rest. Sorry I'm late." It was signed: an ex-GI. And there was this postscript: "I want to be ready to meet with God."

The U.S. government not only collects and stores these letters, but the Treasury Department established a fund and labeled it the "Conscience Fund." Since its inception, the fund has grown to almost seven million dollars.