HOW READEST THOU?

It is one thing to read the Bible through,

another thing to read to learn and do.

Some read it with design to learn to read,

but to the subject pay but little heed.

Some read it as their duty once a week,

but no instruction from the Bible seek.

While others read it with but little care,

with no regard to how they read, nor where.

Some read to bring themselves into repute,

by showing others how they can dispute.

While others read it for the wonders that are there–

how David killed a lion and bear.

While others read it with uncommon care,

hoping to find some contradiction there.

Some read it as if it did not speak to them,

But to the people at Jerusalem.

One reads with father’s specks upon his head,

and sees the things just as his father said.

Some read to prove a pre-adopted creed,

hence understood but little that they read;

For every passage in 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.

Tho’ some there are who read 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 words agree.

For what the early Bible prophets wrote,

we find that Christ and his apostle’s quote.

So trust no creed that trembles to recall

what has been penned by one and verified by all.

4/14/2020
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