The Bay Psalm Book

Brought translation books of psalms:

1. Ainsworth Psalter (1612), compiled by Henry Ainsworth for use by Puritan "separatists" in Holland

2. Ravenscroft Psalter (1621)

3. Sternhold and Hopkins Psalter (1562, of which there were several editions)

Disatisfied with the translations from Hebrew in these several psalters and wished for some that were closer to the original

Written and printed by the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1640

Designed to allow a whole congregation to sing psalms together in church and at home

First printed in British North America

The New England Primer

Chief educational text of the New England colonies for over a hundred years, from its first printing in 1683

Most successful educational textbook published in 18th century America

Schoolbooks brought over from England

1690
Boston publishers were reprinting the English Protestant Tutor under the new title of The New England Primer

Came to Boston in 1686 to escape the brief Catholic ascendancy under James II

First published between 1687 and 1690 by printer Benjamin Harris

Famous line:
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep;
If I should die before I wake,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to take.

Included were the alphabet, vowels, consonants, double letters and syllabariums of two letters to six letter syllables

90-page work contained religious maxims, woodcuts, alphabetical assistants, acronyms, catechism answers, and moral lessons

Remained in print well into the 19th century and was even used until the 20th century

Puritan child to define the "self" by relating his life to the authority of God and his parents

Turned Puritans away from an angry and wrathful God-the-Father to the embrace of the gentle and loving Jesus Christ

Upcoming

• Sarah Kemble Knight all journals
• William Byrd From The Secret Diary of William Byrd of Westover, 1710-12"
• Complete assignment in calendar