When I speak of a taste for reading, let me explain myself. It is sometimes supposed to exist where it does not. There may be a fondness for certain books, which in no way implies the possession of what we are commending now. There are fictions in the present day, properly termed sensational, and other kinds of books of a similar description, to the perusal of which many are addicted without any idea of self-improvement, without any love of knowledge whatever, without a single care respecting truth, without an atom of taste, or a scintillation of what can be called intellectual pleasure. I cannot call that a taste for reading; it is simply a craving after excitement, and may be as sensuous and sensual as are certain desires confessedly vicious; and when it does not reach such a depth as that, it may be a feeling almost as vain, frivolous, and worthless as some other tendencies which never clothe themselves in literary costume. Where a pure taste and a genuine predilection for reading exist, it will be discriminating, such as all pure tastes, all genuine predilections ever are. A taste for painting is a taste for good pictures; a taste for music is a taste for good singing and for good instrumental performance; so, likewise, a taste for reading is a taste for what is worth reading. I have no narrow views as to the class of books which may be perused. Some persons are qualified and required to take a wider range than others in this respect—to make excursions into fields of thought where it may not be wise for others to follow. As to this matter, no universal rules can be laid down. Individual capacities, habits, and callings, must determine the question as to the extent to which inquisitiveness and curiosity should go. But one law as to the judgment of what we read there is, fixed and unalterable. Whatever relates to morality and religion must be tested by Divine authority upon such subjects. The Bible is not intended to teach us science, philosophy, and profane history; but it is intended to teach us what is moral and religious, and, therefore, to it should questions involving these peerless considerations be always brought. As Christians, taking the Bible for your ride, how can you subscribe to the doctrines of any teacher of divinity or of ethics who contradicts the teaching of the Word of God? “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.” With care and discrimination should we sift out whatever is false or erroneous in the writings of men. I do not say that we are not to read what is false or erroneous; for how, until we have read it, can we tell whether any book be discoloured or disfigured with these dark stains? but having candidly and honestly examined the contents of a work, let us judicially, with a pure heart, a clear head, and a firm hand, separate the precious from the vile. “What is the chaff to the wheat?” saith the Lord.