New England Primer (1691) was in its second edition, as recorded in an advertisement by Benjamin Harris of Boston. The oldest extant copy is dated 1737. It was used to teach colonial era children the alphabet, by the use of illustrations and rhyme:
<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 LOT fled to Zoar
Saw fiery Shower
On Sodom pour.
M MOSES was he
Who Israel's Host
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 flee.
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.> 1691NP001
The New England Primer contained this cherished prayer, which was originally recorded in the Enchiridion Leonis, dated 1160 A.D.:
<Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep; If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.> 1691NP002
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1691NP001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). New England Primer, first printed 1691, reprinted 1737. Alphabet of Religious Jingles, Dover Publication, Inc., New York, N.Y., Gary DeMar, God and Government, A Biblical and Historical Study (Atlanta, GA: American Vision Press, 1984), p. 19. Tim LaHaye, Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Brentwood, TN: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, Inc., 1987), p. 75. D.P. Diffine, Ph.D., One Nation Under God-How Close a Separation? (Searcy, Arkansas: Harding University, Belden Center for Private Enterprise Education, 6th edition, 1992), p. 4.
1691NP002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). New England Primer, 1691, second edition advertised, 1737, oldest extant copy, 1784, date of primer which contained the referenced version of the prayer, Enchiridion Leonis, dated 1160 A.D. John Bartlett, Bartlett's Familiar Quotations (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1855, 1980), p. 320.