J. C. Ryle on the Need for Preachers

I recently spoke with someone who only half jokingly said, “We already have enough preachers.” I took issue with the statement, conceding that we do have many filling the office but not enough properly preaching the word and overseeing souls (indeed many not even considering that such oversight is their duty- for which they will answer to God! Heb 13:17)
Then a friend who is desperately searching (so far in vain) for a church in her area where they can find straightforward biblical exposition sent this quote to me.

"Let me leave this branch of my subject with an earnest request that all who pray will never forget to make supplications and prayers and intercession for the ministers of Christ, that there never may be wanting a due supply of them at home and in the mission field, that they may be kept sound in the faith and holy in their lives, and that they may take heed to themselves as well as to the doctrine (I Timothy 4:16)."
J.C. Ryle, "Holiness"

Fellow pastors, may we labor to be such preachers and do all we can to help and encourage the development of more such preachers.