A chassid once asked the Tzemach Tzedek to bless his son with a good memory so he would remember all that he would see and hear from the Rebbe and chassidim, and therefore be automatically G‑d-fearing.

The Rebbe responded: For over fifty years, my grandfather (the Alter Rebbe), my father-in-law (the Mitteler Rebbe) and I have endeavored to teach Jews to “earn” their fear of G‑d by their avodah (performance of mitzvos and study of Torah). Do you want me to deprive your son of this great merit — to become a G‑d-fearing Jew by dint of his service to the Creator?

Likkutei Sichos, vol. 3, p. 800; Sefer HaSichos 5700, p. 57