Bible doctrine we will be about as stable in religious life as a weather-vane is stable when moved by the wind. The Scripture says, "Be no more children, tossed about to and fro, carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" (Eph. 4. 14). A good conscience is no substitute for sound doctrine, as Saul learned from sad experience when his "good conscience" led him to become the chief of sinners in persecuting the disciples of Christ, compelling them to blaspheme that holy name, and cast them in prison (1 Cor. 15. 9). The word of God is the only rule of faith, and we must have correct views of its teachings, or, like Saul, we may fall into grievous sins.

Concerning the importance of sound doctrine, an old writer says: "When the peace and purity of our minds, the rectitude and happiness of our lives, and the blessedness of eternity has so close and necessary a dependence upon the doctrines we imbibe that we thereby either secure or forfeit them; who sees not, unless he be stupid and infatuated, that greater care and solicitude is necessary here than in any matter whatever because there is no other of equal moment? Bad money or bad wares instead of good; an ill title or conveyance instead of a firm and clear one may impoverish us; bad drugs instead of good may infect the body and destroy the health; but what is all this to the dismal consequences of error and heresy, which impoverishes and infects.

the mind, perverts the life, and damns the man to all eternity? We must admit nothing hastily, assent to nothing without examining the grounds upon which it stands. Credulity, precipitation, and confidence are irreconcilable enemies to knowledge and wisdom."

It seems, in these modern times, the easiest thing in the world to propagate false doctrines of the most unreasonable kind. The world was never so full of isms and schisms as now. All false teachers have to do is to put forth these new theories without any proof whatever, and there are people ready to accept them without questioning their correctness. Such is the ignorance and depravity of men that they seem to sit like young birds with mouth wide open and swallow anything that is dropped in, without proper investigation. They swallow the wiggling worms of skepticism with much more relish than the bread of life.

The tendency of this craving for new and improved theories of salvation is bringing confusion, doubts, and restlessness that is destructive of Christian doctrine.

INSPIRATION OF SCRIPTURE

Wesley has well said: "The Bible must be the invention either of good men or angels, bad men or devils, or of God. It could not be the first, for they neither could nor would themselves invent a book, meantime lying in saying, "Thus saith the Lord.' Not the second, for they