PREFACE, TO ALL THAT ARE CONCERNED IN THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN. MY FRIENDS, It is an awful and important charge that is committed to you. The wisdom and welfare of the succeeding generation are intrusted with you before-hand, and depend much on your conduct. The seeds of misery or happiness in this world and that to come, are oftentimes sown very early; and therefore whatever may conduce to give the minds of children a relish for virtue and religion, ought, in the first place, to be proposed to you. Verse was at first designed for the service of God, though it has been wretchedly abused since. The ancients among the Jews and the heathens taught their children and disciples the precepts of morality and worship in verse. The children of Israel were commanded to |