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 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 at Jerusalem. One reads with 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 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 apostles quote. So trust no creed that trembles to recall What has been penned by one and verified by all. Power In The Word [Illustration.] Christ The Word. "He spake, and it was." Ps. 33:9. 1. Through what agency did God create the heavens? “_By the word of the Lord_ were the heavens made; and all the host of them _by the breath of His mouth_.” “For _He spake_, and it was done; _He commanded_, and it stood fast.” Ps. 33:6, 9. 2. By what does Christ uphold all things? “Upholding all things _by the word of His power_.” Heb. 1:3. 3. Of what are some willingly ignorant? “For this they willingly are ignorant of, that _by the word of God the heavens were of old_, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: _whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished_.” 2 Peter 3:5, 6. 4. By what are the present heavens and earth reserved for a similar fate? “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, _by the same word_ are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” Verse 7. 5. In what other scripture is it shown that creative power is exercised through the word of God? “Let them praise the name of the Lord: _for He commanded, and they were created_.” Ps. 148:5. 6. What change is wrought in one who is in Christ?