Ministers few because Piety is low.
It is an observance of Isaac Taylor, "that a religious body, within which there is vitality, will ordinarily supply itself with an adequate proportion of ministers." Beyond question, there is truth in this language of that able and sagacious writer. The young convert to Christianity naturally takes upon himself the type of piety borne by the church into which he is introduced. If that is highly spiritual, he remains spiritual minded; if the reverse, he will almost surely sink to the same low level. Now, it is the measure of holy love in the soul, that determines, to some extent, the question of consecrating one's self to the ministry. If the deep principles and strong emotions of a truly devoted soul obtain, the individual will find it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to resist the call of God to preach the gospel. A woe ringing in his ears, a fire shut up in his bones, will forbid his resting satisfied with any other pursuit than that of the ministry of reconciliation. A stream that is full and rapid in its current, is not readily diverted from the deepened channel. And so, if there were depth and force in the piety of our young men, neither the attractions of worldly pursuits on the one hand, nor the discouragements of the ministry on the other, could turn them from the path of duty. Moreover, when the piety of the churches is what it ought to be, there will be much and earnest prayer for laborers in the Lord's harvest; and also a diligent watching and searching for the gifts that God may bestow, as well as liberal provision and encouragement for those who meet difficulties in qualifying themselves for the work to which they are called. It is therefore, true, that if there be vitality in the church, there will not long exist any serious deficiency in the number of good ministers of Jesus Christ.