"Holy Things Retailed in the Absence of the Spirit"

I'm reading William Still's The Work of the Pastor for the first time-- it's been recommended as classic "Monday Morning" reading for pastors. Here's a quote that jumped out at me as a challenge, warning, and reminder:

"For there is nothing so boring, stale, flat and unprofitable as holy things retailed in the absence of the Spirit. This is one of the devi's most cunning tricks, to cause the Word of God to be dispensed by lazy, sleepy, moribund creatures, who find preaching the most burdensome part of their work and cannot help showing it."

All I can say is..."Whoa."