Augustus Toplady, author of the great hymn “Rock Of Ages,” was twenty-eight years old when he spent an afternoon in London with an older preacher whom he admired greatly. The advice that an aged Mr. Brewer gave to that young minister has been passed along to me. I am amazed at its relevance to our day and reminded that times change but truth does not.

Toplady was so affected by the counsel that he recorded Brewer’s words in his diary. I pass them along to you with a prayer that the Holy Ghost will help us all to apply them wherever we may serve.

“I cannot conclude without reminding you, my young brother, of some things that may be of use to you in the course of your ministry:

1. Preach Christ crucified, and dwell chiefly on the blessings resulting from His righteousness, atonement, and intercession.
2. Avoid all needless controversies in the pulpit – except it be when your subject necessarily requires it; or when the truths of God are likely to suffer by your silence.
3. When you ascend the pulpit, leave your learning behind you. Endeavor to preach more to the hearts of your people than to their heads.
4. Do not affect too much oratory. Seek rather to profit your hearers than to be admired by them.”