The
The
New England Primer was the first
textbook ever printed in
 |
It
is a great example of early American education. Introduced in the The New England Primer taught first graders the alphabet in several ways. For the letter “A”, the young students learned, “In Adam’s Fall, We sinned all.” For the letter “C”, the students recited the following: “Christ crucified, For sinners died.” Students were later asked, “Who was the first man?”, and “Who was the first woman?” Students were also asked, “Who is Jesus Christ?,” to which the response is stated, “the Son of God.” The
1900 reprint described the impact of the book by stating, “The
New England Primer was one of the greatest books ever published.
...[I]t reflected in a marvelous way the spirit of the age that produced
it, and contributed, perhaps more than any other book except the Bible, to the molding of those sturdy generations that gave to America
its liberty and its institutions.” |
Here is a portion of The New England Primer.
A lesson for children
Pray to God. Call no ill names. Love God. Use no ill words. Fear God. Tell no lies. Serve God. Hate Lies. Take not God's Speak the Truth. Name in vain. Spend your Time well. Do not Swear. Love your School. Do not Steal. Mind your Book. Cheat not in your play. Strive to learn. Play not with bad boys. Be not a Dunce.
The Alphabet
A In ADAM'S Fall
We sinned all.
B Heaven to find;
The Bible Mind.
C Christ crucify'd
For sinners dy'd.
D The Deluge drown'd
The Earth around.
E ELIJAH hid
By Ravens fed.
F The judgment made
FELIX afraid.
G As runs the Glass
Our Life doth pass.
H My Book and Heart
Must never part.
J JOB feels the Rod,--
Yet blesses GOD.
K Proud Korah's troop
Was swallowed up
L
Saw fiery Shower
On
M MOSES was he
Who
Led thro' the Sea
N NOAH did view
The old world & new.
O Young OBADIAS
DAVID, JOSIAS
All were pious.
P PETER deny'd
His Lord and cry'd.
Q Queen ESTHER sues
And saves the Jews.
R Young pious RUTH
Left all for Truth.
S Young SAM'L dear
The Lord did fear.
T Young TIMOTHY
Learnt sin to fly.
V VASHTI for Pride
Was set aside.
W Whales in the Sea
GOD's Voice obey.
X XERXES did die
And so must I.
Y While youth do chear
Death may be near.
Z ZACCHEUS he
Did climb the Tree
Our Lord to see.
Questions students
were asked
Who was the first man?
Adam
Who was the first woman?
Eve
Who was the first Murderer?
Cain
Who was the first Martyr?
Abel
Who was the first Translated?
Enoch
Who was the oldest Man?
Methuselah
Who built the
Noah
Who was the Patientest Man?
Job
Who was the Meekest Man?
Moses
Who led
Joshua
Who was the strongest Man?
Sampson
Who killed Goliah?
David
Who was the wisest Man?
Soloman
Who was in the Whale's Belly?
Jonah
Who saves lost Men?
Jesus Christ
Who is Jesus Christ?
The Son of God
Who was the Mother of Christ?
Mary
Who betrayed his Master?
Judas
Who denied his Master?
Peter
Who was the first Christian Martyr?
Stephen
Who was chief Apostle of the Gentiles?
Saul