Earnestness in warning Sinners – Charles Spurgeon

WE have heard of a traveler who, journeying onward, met with one who said, “Sir, the night is dark, and I should not advise you to go on to the river, for the bridge is broken in the middle, you will be in the stream before you know it.” This was said in so careless a tone that the traveler went on. He was met some time afterwards, fortunately for him, by another, who again warned him: “The bridge is broken! don’t go on, you will be sure to lose your life if you attempt it. You cannot ford the stream and the bridge is broken.” The traveler replied, “Why, I have been told that tale before, but the man who told me it spoke in such a tone that I could see through him, I knew it was all a hoax.” “Oh, but sir,” said the other, “it is true! I have but now escaped myself. I am sure it is true!” “But,” said the traveler, “I am not so easily scared.” “Well, then,” said the other, I beseech you once again, do not go on, for you will perish,” and rushing up to him he said, “I will not let you go.” He grasped him and held him fast. “Now,” said the other, “I believe you have spoken the truth, and I will turn with you.” So there are some who warn souls of their danger in such a careless tone, that they create an unbelief which many an earnest tongue will not be able to dispel. But if you get hold of the soul and say to it, “I will not let you perish;” if you say to your friends, as Whitfield would say to his congregation, “If you perish it shall not be for want of praying for, it shall not be for want of weeping over; if you are damned it shall not be because my heart was cold towards you;” you will win them, they will be led to believe from your earnestness. Who knows how many your earnest spirit may bring to Jesus? Praying and teaching, if effectual, must be earnest; and hence when the Spirit comes to save the sons of men he always gives us earnest praying men and earnest teachers.