Thoughts on preaching - Alexander - IX - Letters concluded

Required reading
Thoughts on preaching by J. W. Alexander (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude 'Letters to young ministers' by reading Letters 8, 9 and 10.

My summary
Letters 8 and 9 continue teaching the practice of extemporaneous preaching.  Alexander encourages:
- argumentative discourse;
- keeping the sermons short;
- aiming at devotional sentiment rather than a 'fine sermon';
- order;
- premeditation of your subject;
- self-possession in the pulpit;
- a flow that lets trifles go.

Letter 9 advocates diligence in study.  Alexander suggests there should be:
(i) special study - preparation specific to the sermon;
(ii) general study - preparation of a liberal mind.

What grabbed me
I liked Alexander's encouragement of 'general study' to obtain a liberal mind: 'By general study I mean that preparation which a liberal mind is perpetually making, by reading, writing, and thinking over and above the sermonizing, and without any direct reference to preaching.  Such studies do indeed pour in their contributions to every future discourse with a continually increasing tide; but this is not seen at once, nor is this the proximate aim. No man can make full use of his talent, who does not all his life pursue a high track of generous reading and inquiry...he who he is a mere theologian, is a poor one.'

Last year I read the recent book by T. David Gordon, 'Why Johnny can't preach', which has the interesting thesis that a lack of 'general study' is a big cause of poor preaching. 

Since then I have begun reading 'The Great Books of the Western World' published by Britannica and am finding it very beneficial in my ability to read and meditate upon texts.  It doesn't take that long either - at 10 pages a day I've calculated that I should be finished the 54 volumes within 7 years.

I do encourage all ministers to carefully consider Alexander's advice regarding 'general study'.

Next week's reading       
Read 'Remarks on the studies and discipline of the preacher'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.