An Emphasis on Preaching

My friend, Stewart Edwards, President of a wonderful organization called French Camp, recently wrote this in a newsletter: 

Robert Lowry (1826-1899) had it right. A Baptist minister who penned over 500 hymns, many of which are still sung in churches today, he had a deep understanding of the power of the Gospel. Known for his ability to inspire Christians through his song writing, he confessed "Music, with me has been a side issue...I would rather preach a gospel sermon to an appreciative audience than write a hymn."