"The cross is the strength of a minister. I, for one, would not be without it for the world. I should feel like a soldier without a weapon, like an artist without a pencil, like a pilot without a compass, like a laborer without his tools. Let others, if they will, preach the law and morality. Let others hold forth the terrors of hell and the joys of heaven. Let others drench their congregations with the teachings of the sacraments and the church. Give me the cross of Christ. This is the only lever that has ever turned the world upside down hitherto and made men forsake their sins. And if this will not do it, nothing will. A man may begin preaching with a perfect knowledge of Latin, Greek and Hebrew; but he will do little or no good unless he knows something of the cross. Never was their a minister who did much for the conversion of souls who did not dwell on Christ crucified. Luther, Rutherford, Whitefield, M'Cheyne were all eminent preachers of the cross. This is the preaching that the Holy Ghost delights to bless. He loves to honor those who honor the cross." - J.C. Ryle as quoted in Spurgeon's Sermon Notes
Further recommended reading & listening:
The Best of The Daily Spurgeon
The Forgotten Spurgeon, by Iain Murray
