One of the great American revivalists and preachers of the 1800's said:

"If there is a decay of conscience, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the public press lacks moral discernment, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the church is degenerate and worldly, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the world loses its interest in Christianity, the pulpit is responsible for it. If Satan rules in our halls of legislation, the pulpit is responsible for it. If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it."

Some other noteworthy quotes from great preachers:

"Isn't it staggering when you think that one sermon on the day of Pentecost produced 3,000 people? And we had some cities last Sunday where 3,000 sermons were preached and nobody was saved. And it doesn't even faze us."  Leonard Ravenhill

"If Jesus had preached the same message that ministers preach today, He would never have been crucified" Leonard Ravenhill

"Ministers often preach about the Gospel instead of preaching the Gospel. They often preach about sinners instead of preaching to them." Charles Finney

"Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the Kingdom of Heaven upon Earth." John Wesley

"I'd rather have people hate me with the knowledge that I tried to save them." Keith Green