The Nose of the Camel (1)

The Arabs have a proverb, so we are told, that one must keep the nose of the camel out of his tent. Failing to keep out the nose, the Arab will soon have the entire camel in his tent. The proverb expresses the rule, well-known in Latin, "Obsta principiis!" - that is, "Resist the beginnings!" Applicable to all of life, the rule is especially urgent for the church. If the beginnings of corrupt doctrine, impure worship, unsound government, or an unholy life are permitted in the church, later it...