So while there may be earthly means used in conversion, nothing short of heavenly-means of the divine power can possibly regenerate. Men in their vanity and blinded zeal are compassing sea and land making proselytes, but are entirely powerless to give a single one of their converts a new heart or spiritual life. Exhortations, persuasions and arguments may very often affect and change the mind, but such feeble means cannot change any one from nature to grace, for this is a radical change. A change of mind or intentions is very far different from giving life to the dead.

     Conversion may in some respects be considered a moral act; but regeneration never. Exhortations to morality and right living are certainly commendable; but regeneration is not a duty, for men are not commanded to be "born again." Men may justly, and certainly should thank others who have converted them from errors; but they should always be very careful to give all the praise and glory to their most merciful God for the gift of eternal life, if He has through His mercy and pity made them partakers of His grace, and called them out of nature's darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter ii. 9), which enables them to so plainly see and keenly feel themselves to be sinners. Men with all their combined zeal and moneyed efforts cannot in the least aid or assist the gracious Lord in the genesis of spiritual life. Our nation surely would be far better off if all this vain and boasted work of converting, and so-called saving, the whole world was directed into better channels. Men should not undertake that which positively is not within their ability, for their labors are only destined to failure.