Any system of teaching that runs away from the real thing, or that has a tendency to distract attention from or lessen the importance of "first principles," is but vain jangling, and which brings no nourishment, or cheer, or good, but blights the spiritual man. Milk, not vinegar, beef, not pickles, is the demand of a healthy appetite. Vain jangling is like whiskey toddy; exhilarating to those who have no better way of spending their time, but destructive to the constitution. We have seen illustrations of vain jangling in our own time -- men taken up with crotchets which they have magnified into importance; starting discussions which have no practical bearing whatever, and upon which even no certain judgment can be arrived at. Such a policy is ruinous in relation to the truth. The atmosphere created by vain jangling is highly unfavourable to spiritual health.

Robert Roberts, The Ambassador of the Coming Age, 1869, pages 364-365