Sometimes we are inclined to think that a very great portion of modern revivalism has been more a curse than a blessing, because it has led thousands to a kind of peace before they have known their misery; restoring the prodigal to the Father’s house, and never leading him to say ‘Father I have sinned.’ How can he be healed who is not sick? Or he be satisfied with the bread of life who is not hungry? The old fashioned sense of sin is despised, and consequently religion is run up before the foundations are dug out. Everything in this age is shallow. Deep sea fishing is almost and extinct business so far as men’s souls are concerned. The consequence is that men leap into religion, and then leap out again. Unhumbled they came to the church, unhumbled they remained in it, and unhumbled they go from it.

From Charles Spurgeon, The Sword and Trowel, 1882.