“HOW READEST THOU?"
‘TIS one thing now to read the Bible through,
Another thing to read to learn to do.
'T is one thing to read it with delight,
And quite another thing to read it right.
Some read it with design to learn to read,
But to the subject pay but little heed.
Some read it as a duty once a week,
But no instruction from the Bible seek;
Whilst others read it with but little care,
With no regard to how they read, nor where.
Some read it as a history to know
How people lived three thousand years ago.
Some read to bring themselves into repute,
By showing others how they can dispute;
Whilst 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;
Whilst others read, or rather in it look,
Because, perhaps, they have no other book.
Some read the blessed book they don't know why;
It sometimes happens in the way to lie;
Whilst others read it with uncommon care;
But all to find some contradictions there.
Some read as though it did not speak to them;
But to the people at Jerusalem.
Some people read, as I have often thought,
To teach the book, instead of being taught.
So many people in these latter days
Have read the Bible in so many ways,
That few can tell which system is the best,
For every party contradicts the rest.
If wisdom true from it you would derive.
Read Proverbs two and verses one to five.