ng "that when they were old they would not
depart from it."

John Hadden was able to do what many of his friends could not; he could
read, having learned early in life. Not that he read very well, but
well enough to study the Book of books so as to understand what it
teaches. There are many, alas! who _can_ read it far more easily than
could John Hadden, but do _not_. How many have the Bible, but do not
even look into it, treating it as though it were of less value than any
common book! How many would rather read light foolish books than the
"Holy Scriptures," though they "are able to make us wise unto salvation,
through faith which is in Christ Jesus!"

What does that verse mean? That if we read and study the Scriptures,
with faith in Christ Jesus, they will show us how we may, without fail,
gain more joy, happiness, wealth, and glory than words can tell; not
such as will pass away in a few short years, but such as will last for
ever and ever.

John Hadden prized the Bible as the only light which could point out to
him the way of eternal life. He read and read, and, more than all, he
prayed as he read, till he understood the Bible well, and was able to
shape his own course by it, and to point out to his sons how they might
shape theirs. When he took up the Bible he humbly prayed, "Lord, teach
me that I may read and understand Thy holy Word aright." These words,
and the spirit of these words, he taught his children.

John Hadden and his family neglected no means or opportunities of
knowing more about the Bible, or of obtaining instruction. He did not
say, as some do, "I can read, and I can pray; and so why should I go
away from my own home and own fireside to listen to another man?" John
Hadden was a real Christian, and therefore he was a humble Christian.
The place of public worship was far off, and the road was rough; but
John, with his wife and children, never failed when he was on shore,
unless hindered by sickness, to go there on the Sunday to hear the Word
of God read and explained, and to pray with other Christian people.
When John and the boys were at sea, Mrs Hadden and the other children
went, and she used to say she dearly loved to do so, because then she
could pray with others to the good Lord, and say, "That it may please
Thee to preserve all that travel by land or by water." John often also
said that when he was away on the ocean, he always felt happy as the
hour of public service came round