“The true remedy, and the only remedy, against cold, formal, and uninteresting written sermons, and against unmeaning and unimpressive extempore harangues, is the possession of lively feelings of piety when the Minister sits down to compose, or when he stands up to speak. O how precious would the word of God be to the pious hearer, if it was always delivered with the proper spirit!” — Archibald Alexander, An Address to Candidates for the Ministry, on the Importance of Aiming at Eminent Piety in Making Their Preparation for the Sacred Office (1832)