New Guide to the English Tongue (1740) was published first in England by Thomas Dilworth, a distinguished educator and textbook writer. The book's popularity grew in the Colonies, until, by 1765, it was universally adopted in the New England schools. The book contained spelling, reading and grammar lessons, "adorned with proper Scriptures." Its first lesson, having words only three letters long or less, stated:
<No Man may put off the Law of God.
The Way of God is no ill Way.
My Joy is in God all the Day.
A bad Man is a Foe to God.> 1740ET001
Noah Webster, known as the "Schoolmaster to America," used only the Bible and the New Guide to the English Tongue, 1740, in his earliest school.
Thomas Dilworth said he wanted to rescue:
<Poor creatures from the Slavery of Sin and Satan by setting the word of God for a Lantern to our feet and a Light to our Paths.> 1740ET002
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1740ET001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). New Guide to the English Tongue, 1740, Thomas Dilworth, London. H.R. Warfel, Noah Webster- Schoolmaster to America (New York: Octagon Press, 1966), pp. 11-13. Tim LaHaye, Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Brentwood, TN: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, Inc., 1987), pp. 75-76. 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. 5.
1740ET002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). New Guide to the English Tongue, 1740, Thomas Dilworth, (London). H.R. Warfel, Noah Webster-Schoolmaster to America (New York: Octagon Press, 1966), pp. 11-13. Tim LaHaye, Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Brentwood, TN: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, Inc., 1987), pp. 75-76.