In 1839 Robert Murray McCheyne went on mission to Palestine. In his place at St. Peter’s was the Rev. W.C. Burns. Here is McCheyne’s charge to Burns:
Take heed to thyself. Your own soul is your first and greatest care. You know a sound body alone can work with power; much more a healthy soul. Keep a clear conscience through the blood of the Lamb. Keep up close communion with God. Study likeness to Him in all things. Read the Bible for your own growth first, then for your people. Expound much; it is through the truth that souls are to be sanctified, not through essays upon the truth. Be easy of access apt to teach, and the Lord teach you and bless you in all you do and say.
I think his point of “reading the Bible for your own growth” goes with his point to “expound much”. When we are taking aback by the Word of God that is being used by God to rock our own souls we will hardly have a care to give “essays upon the truth” but we’ll passionately proclaim Truth Himself. 175 years later McCheyne’s advice ought to be heeded by every preacher of the gospel.
