Reading this classic article by George Stigler, one could be forgiven for thinking he's talking about Ireland's doom and gloom merchants.
From pages 19 and 20 (I have the original 1980 working paper (U.Chicago 1980, WP No. 011) version rather than the book chapter):
The main lesson I draw from [economists'] experience as preachers is that we preach what the society wishes to hear. Perhaps all preachers achieve popularity by this route.
The degree of popularity of a preacher does not necessarily measure his influence as a preacher, let alone as a scholar. In fact, one could perhaps argue that unpopular sermons are more influential, ---certainly if the opposite is true, and preachers simply confirm their listeners beliefs, pulpits should be at the rear of congregations.