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 because their neighbors
do,
To see how long 'twill take to read
it through.
Some read it for the wonders that are
there,
How David killed a lion and a bear;
While others read it with uncommon
care,
Hoping to find some contradictions
there.
Some read as if it did not speak to
them,
But to the people of Jerusalem.
One reads with his father's specs upon
his head,
And sees the thing just as his father
said.
Some read to prove a preadopted creed,
Hence understand 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;
And some there are who read it out
of spite.
I fear that there are but few who read
it right.
But read it prayerfully, and you will
see,
Although men contradict, God's words
agree...
