HOW SOME PEOPLE READ THE BIBLE

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 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; 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 contradiction there! Some read as though it did not speak to them but to the people at Jerusalem. One reads it as a book of mysteries and won't believe the very thing he sees. One reads with father's specks upon his head and see the things just as his father said. Some read to prove a pre-adopted creed. hence understand but little that the 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 there are but few who read it right. So many people in these latter days have read the Bible in so many ways, for every party contradicts the rest! 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 apostles quote.