“Every minister of Jesus Christ, therefore, should be pre-eminently a man of genuine and experimental piety. If he is not, he may rest assured that he comes uncalled and goes unsent in the work in which he is engaged. He may be what the world denominates a fine scholar — an eloquent speaker— a profound reasoner — an amiable man and a pleasant companion, but if these splendid accomplishments are not graced and sanctified with a spirit of living piety which will consecrate all to the glory of God — which will lay every faculty at the foot of the cross — which will rejoice most in doing good to the souls of perishing sinners, he is not qualified to be an embassador of Christ. No man should ever consider himself called to the service of Christ, I care not what his other qualifications may be, if he has not clear and satisfactory evidence of his own goodness of heart.” — Robert D. Harper, The Importance of Personal Piety in the Christian Ministry (1852)