ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON) Conversion is God’s work:

Conversion is God’s work: it cannot be done without his hand. Without him, we can do nothing.

Our hand is far too puny for such a work.

Still, there are certain circumstances under which that hand will work, and there are hindrances that will restrain it. Let us think awhile.

First, then, if sinners are to be converted we must distinctly aim at it. As a rule, a man does what he tries to do, and not that which is a mere by-product. The conversion of sinners is not one of those things which a man is likely to accomplish without intending it.

Sometimes in the sovereignty of God a preacher who does not aim at conversion may nevertheless be made useful, for God works as he wills; but largely, and as a rule men do not win souls if they do not eagerly desire to do so.

Fishing for men cannot be carried out by throwing in the net anyhow, without caring whether fish be caught or not.

Few traders become rich by accident, they generally have to plod and work hard for money: and to be rich in treasures of saved souls you must aim at it and labor for it.