Part 2 - No Apostolic Zeal In Our Day

We have no eyes now like the eyes of the Saviour, which could weep over Jerusalem: we have few voices like that earnest, impassioned voice, which seemed perpetually to cry, "Come unto me, and I will give you rest." 

"O Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have gathered thee as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not." 

If ministers of the gospel were more hearty in their work of preaching; if, instead of giving lectures, and devoting a large part of their time to literary and political pursuits, they would preach the Word of God, and preach it as if they were pleading for their own lives, ah! Then, my brethren, we might expect great success; but we cannot expect it while we go about our work in a half-hearted way, and have not that zeal, that earnestness, that deep purpose, which characterized those men of old. 

Then again, I take it, we have not men in our days who can preach like Paul—as to their faith, What did Paul do? He went to Philippi. Did he know a soul there ? Not one. He had his Master's truth, and he believed in the power of it. He was unattended, And devoid of pomp, or show, or parade; he did not go to a pulpit with a soft cushion in it to address a respectable congregation; but he walked through the streets, and began to preach to the people. 

He went to Corinth, to Athens, alone, single-handed, to tell the people the gospel of the blessed God. Why? Because he had faith in the gospel, and believed it would save souls, and hurl down idols from their thrones. He had no doubt about the power of the gospel ; but now a days, my brethren, we have not faith in the gospel we preach. How many there are who preach a gospel which they are afraid will not save souls; and, therefore, they add little bits of their own to it in order, as they think, to win men to Christ! 

C.H. Spurgeon on Gospel Missions