It is one thing to
read the Bible through,
Another thing, to read and
learn and do.
Some read it with design to learn to
read,
But to subject they pay little
heed.
Some read as their duty once a
week,
But no instruction from the Bible
seek;
While others read it but with little
care,
With no regard to how they read, nor
where.
Some read to bring themselves into
repute,
By showing others how they can
dispure;
While other read because their neighbors
do,
To see how long 'twill make it
through.
Some read it for the wonders that
are there,
How David killed a lion and a
bear;
While othere read with uncommon care,
Hoping
to find some contradictions there.
Some
read it as if it did not speak to them,
But to the
people of Jerusalem.
One reads with father's specs
upon his head,
And see the thing just as his father
said.
Some read to prove a pre-adopted
creed,
Hence understand but little that they
read;
For every passage of the Book they bend
To
make it suit that all-important end.
Some
people read, as I have often thought,
To teach the
Book instead of being taught;
And some there are who
read it out of spite.
I fear there are but few who
read it right.
But read it prayerfully, and
you will see,
Although men contradict, God's Word
agree;
But what the early Bible prophets wrote,
We
find that Christ and His Apostles quote.
So
trust no creed that trembles to recall,
What has been
penned by one and verified by
all.