Those old preachers knew the Bible. When I was growing up, my dad knew many of them. They use to come to the house to discuss the Bible. It was at one of those, when they were busy talking, my dad put chocolate in buttermilk. I still laugh about that. I forgot if he drank it. I wonder just how many went to seminary or whatever. They are all gone now but I still have my precious memories
My great-grandfather was a Baptist preacher born in the 1880's. A few weeks ago I looked through his Bible. It's thoroughly worn out from use. And I don't believe there's a single page that isn't full of his notes. He has been dead since 1945, but his Bible remains as a testament for his descendants as to what and Whom he believed. It's obvious he poured his life into studying that Book and preparing his sermons.
I wonder how many pastors today work at studying the Word like those men from prior generations did. I know for sure some still do, but I also know many don't. I know of pastors who buy their sermons online. I know of others who pay seminary students to write sermons.